I’m delighted to announce that the 2020 Festival International de Jazz de Montréal is mounting a special digital edition — sorry for the short notice!
This special virtual edition kicks off at 6 p.m. ET this Saturday, June 27th, Canadian Multiculturalism Day, and runs through Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
- Montreal treasure Oscar Peterson with Oliver Jones, 2004
- Jaco Pastorius concert, 1982
- Sarah Vaughan, 1982
- And the incomparable Miles Davis, 1985
Malika Tirolien
- Live performances from Malika Tirolien who recently picked up a Grammy for her collaboration with one of my favorite bands, Snarky Puppy (here is a fantastic funky PREVIEW — I love this jam!)
- Followed by performances from Afro-Cuban pianist Rafael Zaldivar
- Mali-born Juno nominee Djely Tapa
- Soulful singer-songwriter Clerel
- And Brazilian-born songbird Bïa
- The iconic, legendary 2004 performance featuring Oscar Peterson and Oliver Jones from the Festival archive
- Wrapping up the first night is a virtual soirée with Pierre Kwenders for an after-party broadcast live from L’Astral.
The great Oscar Peterson photographed by D.C. Langford 1944
- Live performances from guitarist Jordan Officer
- Followed by performances from Radio-Canada’s 2020-2021 winner of the Artiste Révélation prize, Mateo
- Marianne Trudel Trio featuring Juno winner Morgan Moore and former Patrick Watson drummer Robbie Kuster
- Indigenous performer and musicologist Jeremy Dutcher
- And Charlotte Cardin, one of Quebec’s most celebrated musical forces
Jaco Pastorius © Ed Perlstein
- To end the evening, groove to an electrifying 1982 performance by inimitable bass virtuoso Jaco Pastorius from the Festival archive. His signature style combined complex harmonies, funky grooves, plus lyrical and innovative harmonics. This iconic performer died tragically, much too young.
- Live performances from funk and soul saviors Fredy V. & The Foundation,
- A set by Carl Mayotte (recently named Révélation Radio-Canada in jazz for 2020-2021)
- Followed by performances from slide guitar master Jack Broadbent
- And the pure fire of Inuk singer and Felix Award winner Elisapie
- Plus a set from instrumental piano wiz Jean-Michel Blais.
- AND WOW! — An archival 1985 Festival performance by the one and only Miles Davis to end the evening on a very cool note.
- Juno-nominated jazz trumpeter Jacques Kuba Séguin
- Ethiopian-born, Montreal-raised hip-hop artist Naya Ali
- Former Uzeb bassman Alain Caron with his trio, featuring Uzeb stickman Paul Brochu and jazz pianist John Roney (I love these guys!)
- Polaris Music prize-nominated singer-songwriter Dominique Fils-Aimé
- Blues rock band The Barr Brothers
The great Sarah Vaughan
- And a special 1983 performance by the incredible Sarah Vaughan from the Festival archive wraps up this special digital edition of the Festival.
Check out the entire program at the link, above, and the event schedule, below. I hope you’ll join me in enjoying this very special online edition of my all-time favorite music festival, Montreal Jazz. A bientot!
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