10 Highlights From Montreal International Jazz Festival

As the biggest and one of the oldest jazz festivals in the world, it’s no surprise that Festival International de Jazz de Montreal is supremely well organised, has excellent indoor and outdoor venues and attracts the best musicians. But what is surprising about this ten day, mostly free annual festival, is the incredible enthusiasm of the audience that’s made up of all ages. Their enthusiasm at every gig creates an electric atmosphere, making this festival a real thrill to attend. And unlike other so-called “jazz festivals,” this year’s 43rd festival was the real deal, a proper jazz festival that hasn’t been infiltrated by pop and rock. New festival director Maurin Auxéméry was keen to put the jazz back into this year’s festival as he’s confident there’s a growing appetite for jazz among younger fans. He appears to be right. There were many exciting moments at this year’s festival, including these ten superb gigs.

1.Emmet Cohen Trio

As home to jazz legend, the late great pianist Oscar Peterson, it seems appropriate that one of the best gigs at the Montreal festival featured a pianist. The hottest ticket for Monday night, other than Herbie Hancock, was the New York trio led by Emmet Cohen at Le studio TD. It was a free gig and eager young fans queued for hours to get into the intimate venue. Cohen became a worldwide musical sensation during the pandemic when he started Live From Emmet’s Place, concerts from his one bedroom Manhattan apartment. The concerts have continued with eight invited guests and many millions more online. He brought the same excitement to his Montreal gig where his energetic swing piano style, inspired by 1920s Harlem nightclubs, was beautifully accompanied by bassist Philip Norris and drummer Kyle Poole. The entire set was superb, with Cohen’s own “Spillin’ The Tea” and “I’ll Keep Loving You” by Bud Powell really special moments.

2. Al McLean Quintet

Saxophonist Al McLean is not only a fabulous musician but he’s an expert in saxophone history and restoration. This intimate knowledge and love of his instrument shone through at his Montreal Jazz festival gig at Diese Onze on rue Saint Denis. His quintet included the skilled Erik Hove on saxophone, André White on piano, Ira Coleman on double bass and Al Bourgeois on drums. Following a banging first set, club owner Gary Tremblay introduced the second saying “this is why I bought a jazz club.” The appreciative audience of fellow jazz lovers understood .

3. Nduduzo Makhathini

Winner of the Best Jazz Artist at the All Africa Music Awards (2017) Nduduzo Makhathini is a hauntingly beautiful pianist, composer, producer, and arranger who focuses on the spiritual side of jazz. With a focus on his Zulu heritage, complemented with modern sounds, the free concert featured a superb trio with Nduduzo Makhathini on Piano, Zwelakhe-Duma Bell le Pere on Bass, and Francisco Mela on Drums.

4.Christine Jensen Quartet

Basement club Upstairs celebrated the launch of Montreal musician Christine Jensen’s new album Day Moon. The exceptional Canadian alto and soprano saxophonist was ably supported by her quartet that included Steve Amirault on piano, Adrian Vedady on bass and Jim Doxas on drums. The album was inspired by the pandemic so it is at turns melancholic and ebullient, sober and playful. The small basement club is one of best jazz venues anywhere. In an interview with London Jazz News, the club’s owner Joel Giberovitch said: “I wanted to have a listening room. That to me was the most important thing. And to have a concert hall in a jazz club setting.”

5.Isaiah Collier and the Chosen Few

Evoking the spirit of Pharoah Sanders and John Coltrane, this young Chicago-based saxophonist is one to watch. In fact his fantastic 2021 album Cosmic Transitions was recorded at Rudy Van Gelder’s studio, using the same equipment that John Coltrane used for A Love Supreme. His avant-garde set with his energetic band made up of drummer Michael Shekwoaga Ode, bassist Jeremiah Hunt and pianist Mike King, was a thrilling mix of blues and bebop.

6.Colin Stetson

Performing at the Gesù theater, Michigan native Colin Stetson, astounded the eager audience with what is often described as a “one-man orchestra.” The saxophonist has performed with Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Tom Waits, Lou Reed, LCD Soundsystem, The National, Chemical Brothers and many others. He’s also had a brilliant solo career featuring the circular breathing technique that creates an incredible range of sounds and leaves audiences awestruck. The accompanying visuals guaranteed a truly mesmerising and haunting experience.

7.Endea Owens and The Cookout

The Montreal jazz festival was this energetic bass player’s first tour ever which is surprising considering she’s a member of the house band, Stay Human on the Stephen Colbert show and she’s won an Emmy and Grammy Award. Her feel good, original compositions were supported by a skilled quintet plus two singers. The very enthusiastic crowd went wild when Endea Owens said “you gotta believe in yourself; my favourite composer is me.”

8.Diana Krall

Seven time Grammy Award winner, Diana Krall is the only jazz singer to have had eight albums debuting at the top of Billboard Jazz Albums. It’s been ten years since Diana Krall last performed at the Montreal festival and the audience at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier were fully appreciative. The pianist’s smooth renditions of standards from legends like Astrud Gilberto and her own original songs went down a treat. And Leonard Cohen’s “Famous Blue Raincoat” was a real crowd pleaser. The performance by Diana Krall, Jeff Hamilton (drums), John Clayton (bass) and Anthony Wilson (guitar) in the acoustically perfect grand theatre managed to feel like an intimate NYC jazz club.

9.Son Little

A dip into the blues on an outdoor stage was a welcome addition to this year’s lineup. Blending acoustic blues, soul and hip-hop, Son Little, aka Aaron Livingston, gave an expressive, deeply personal performance. Son Little has collaborated with The Roots, RJD2, and Mavis Staples and cites Paul McCartney and Kendrick Lamar as influences. Little describes as “Wu-Tang sea shanty with the Beatles on background vocals.”

10.Kiefer

LA-based pianist and producer Kiefer Shackelford’s hip-hop and R&B infused jazz gig featured CARRTOONS on Bass and Luke Sangerman on Drums. A highlight at the festival gig was Bobby Hutcherson’s masterpiece “Montara,” sampled by Madlib 20 years ago.

Practicalities

For one of the best panoramic viewpoints of the Quartier des spectacles, where the main outdoor venues are, Restaurant Bivouac in the DoubleTree Hotel has a large outdoor terrace. Non-hotel guests can buy drinks and snacks to enjoy the terrace and the music.

Hotel Monville is a super four star hotel, a less than ten minute walk from the festival and from the central train station with daily Via Rail services from Ottawa and Toronto. Pierre Trudeau Airport, a 30-45 minute taxi from downtown Montreal, offers Air Canada direct flights from many North American and European hubs.

The next edition of the Montreal Jazz Festival will be 27 June to 6 July 2024.