JazzFest 2019

June 21st, 2019

The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal turns 40 this year! The latest edition of Montreal’s inclusive celebration of jazz, which blurs boundaries between multiple musical genres and styles, will take place from June 27 to July 6 in the Quartier des Spectacles, in Verdun, and elsewhere in the city. Here is a brief overview of theatrical concerts, free outdoor shows, and restaurants, both in and around the Quartier des Spectacles, and near Verdun’s new stage.
 

INDOOR CONCERTS

Here are some highlights on the indoor concert schedule:

Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier: in the main concert hall at Place des Arts, American singer Norah Jones performs on June 27; popular Melody Gardot on June 29 and 30; folk rock band Blue Rodeo on June 28th; blues duo Buddy Guy and Colin James on July 6; guitarist George Benson on July 1; British producer and composer Alan Parsons on July 4; and British rocker Peter Frampton on July 5.

Maison symphonique: The Stacey Kent Symphonic concert will take place on June 30; Brad Mehldau Quintet with Ambrose Akinmusire, Joel Frahm, Joe Sanders and Leon Parker on June 27; Chucho Valdés Jazz Batá on June 28; Pink Martini will perform three concerts on July 6 and 7; and Rodrigo y Gabriela performs on July 3.

Bell Centre: Canadian rocker Bryan Adams returns on July 2.

Théâtre Maisonneuve: Cuban legend Omara Portuondo sings on June 27; John Pizzarelli performs For Centennial Reasons: 100-year Salute to Nat King Cole on July 3; Bossa Nova musician Bebel Gilberto performs on June 29; Ravi Coltrane Quartet | Antonio Sanchez & Migration on June 30; saxophonist Joshua Redman with his Quartet on July 2; diva Dianne Reeves presents a concert on July 1.

Monument-National: formidable drummer and Peter Gabriel collaborator Manu Katché performs on June 29; pianist Patricia Barber on June 30; the duo of Kurt Elling and Danilo Pérez perform vocal jazz and piano on July 5; National Jazz Orchestra invites The Invisible Man: An Orchestral Tribute to Dr. Dre on July 3; Steve Gadd, drummer and collaborator of Steely Dan, performs with his band on June 27.

MTELUS: Lou Doillon performs on July 3; singer-guitarist Bobby Bazini on June 29; famous London trip-hop band Morcheeba on July 2; Toronto group The Strumbellas on June 27; Scottish techno band Chvrches on July 6; on July 5, Australian musician Courtney Barnett presents a folk-rock concert, with an opening act by the alternative Montreal band Pottery.

Club Soda: singer Nikki Yanofsky, who debuted at the Jazz Fest at age 12, returns on June 29; Jesse Mac Cormack and Land of Talk perform June 28; Jonquière rockers Voïvod with René Lussier & Robbie Kuster opening on June 30; tenor Jeremy Dutcher, who won the Polaris Prize in 2018 for his first album, Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa, performs on July 3; an American folk singer from Kenya, J.S. Ondara, presents a concert on June 27.

L’Astral: Benoît Charest, a composer of film music, for Les triplettes de Belleville among others, performs with his octet on July 1; Brazilian musician Rodrigo Amarante (who composed the soundtrack for the Narcos series) performs on June 27; Donato-Bourassa-Lozano-Tanguay presents a tribute to Bill Evans on July 6; and Marianne Trudel and Karen Young present their project Portraits: Songs of Joni Mitchell on June 29.

Gesù: Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen, accompanied by a trio, participates in the ECM 50 year anniversary series, on June 28; in the same series, pianists Vijay Iyer & Craig Taborn perform a duet on June 27; Butcher Brown presents a concert of jazz, funk and hip-hop music on July 2; Roberto Fonseca presents concerts of Afro-Cuban music on June 29 and 30, and July 1.

 
FREE OUTDOOR SHOWS

New this year: to spread the joy of jazz throughout the city, festival organizers have moved the Loto-Québec stage to the corner Wellington and Galt, in Verdun. Here is a brief overview of free outdoor concerts.

Scène TD, at Place des Festivals: Funk It Up! the official party for the 40th anniversary of the Festival on June 26; Quebec singer Charlotte Cardin on June 27; trumpeter Erik Truffaz and his quartet with rapper NYA on June 28; the gospel-country duet The War and Treaty on June 29; New Orleans brass band Cha Wa on July 1; Toronto singer Molly Johnson on July 4; guitar virtuoso Jordan Officer, accompanied by 9 musicians, on July 5.

Scène Loto-Québec, at the corner of Wellington and Galt in Verdun: Susie Arioli, a musician from Verdun, performs on June 27; a quintet of led by bassist and composer Linda May Han Oh performs on June 30; a fifteen-member Chilean band, Newen Afrobeat, performs on July 3; La Musica Popular de Verdun with Clay and Friends performs on June 27; the Misses Satchmo swing sextet on June 30.

Scène Hyundai, Esplanade Clark, corner Clark and De Montigny: Cameroonian-New Yorker-Montrealer Cécile Doo-Kingué on June 27; Canadian multi-instrumentalist Angelique Francis on June 29; singer Dawn Tyler Watson on June 30; Brooklyn festive trio Daddy Long Legs on June 30; harmonica virtuoso Steve Marriner on July 5.

Scène Rio Tinto, corner De Maisonneuve and Jeanne-Mance: many big band orchestras will take the stage here, including the JazzFest des jeunes series. This stage will also host South African singer Lorraine Klaasen on July 1; Brazilian singer and songwriter Luedji Luna on June 28; New York’s Victory on July 3; the electro-swing of the Scratchophone Orchestra on July 5.

Scène Casino de Montréal / CBC/Radio-Canada, Petit Parterre, corner de Maisonneuve Boulevard and Clark: La fête haïtienne de Vox Sambou on June 27; Afrikana Soul Sister on July 1; Brasilera! A Brazilian Bia festival with Paulo Ramos, Diogo Ramos and Maracujà on July 6; contemporary soul with Ethiopian influences by K-IRI on July 4; H’Sao and guests Marie-Josée Lord, Ilam and Elete on July 2.

The festival has produced a smartphone application that lets you join the party by compiling your own list of favourite artists. Look for “Jazz Montreal” on the Apple App Store or Google Play platforms.

Info: 514 871-1881 | montrealjazzfest.com

 
NEARBY RESTAURANTS

Food and drink are readily available onsite if you get the munchies at the festival. For a square meal, dozens of restaurants are located within walking distance. Here is a short list.

Taverne F: the little brother of Café Ferreira, this tavern serves a menu of Portuguese tapas in a relaxed atmosphere, in the centre of the Place des Festivals.
Info: 1485 Jeanne-Mance Street | 514 289-4558 | tavernef.com

Blumenthal: classic bistro cuisine is served in the dining room or on a large terrace overlooking the Place des Festivals.
Info: 305 Sainte-Catherine Street West | 514 288-5992 | leblumenthal.ca

Tiradito: Peruvian brewery of Nikkei tradition: a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian dishes. Urban atmosphere with a large bar and open kitchen. In the basement, Club Pelicano offers an original 1930s public bath theme.
Info: 1076 De Bleury Street | 514 866-6776 | tiraditomtl.com

KeVino @ Daylight Factory: during the day, a simple, quick menu of 1 or 2 courses; in the evenings from Thursday through Saturday, classic Italian cuisine. This restaurant has a superb terrace in an inner courtyard.
Info: 1030 Saint-Alexandre Street | 514 871-4774 | kevinodaylightfactory.com

Baton Rouge: overlooking the festival site from Complexe Desjardins, jazz combines with unpretentious Louisiana cuisine in a menu of ribs, steaks and fresh, charcoal-grilled fish.
Info: 180 Sainte-Catherine Street West | 514 282-7444 | batonrougerestaurants.com

Furco Bar: market cuisine is served in a lounge atmosphere with décor by Zébulon Perron, in a building that once housed Montreal fur companies.
Info: 425 Mayor Street | 514 764-3588 | barfurco.com

Biiru: a small Japanese bistro serving sashimi, yakitoris, grilled meats and other specialties, with a good selection of beer and sake.
Info: 1433 City Councillors Street | 514 903-1555 | biiru.ca

Escondite: this popular contemporary Mexican restaurant offers tapas and house tequila cocktails.
Info: 1206 Union Street | 514 419-9755 | escondite.ca

Habanera: a mini-cafe and bar serving Cuban dishes and cocktails in a casual atmosphere transports customers to Havana.
Info: 1216 Union Avenue | 514 375-5355 | lahabanera.ca

Café du Nouveau Monde: a beautiful cafe-bistro, reminiscent of 20th century Paris, is located at the entrance of the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde and serves typical brasserie dishes.
Info: 84 Sainte-Catherine Street West | 514 866-8669 | tnm.qc.ca/cafe-du-nouveau-monde

Bouillon Bilk: a foodie destination; contemporary market cuisine in chic, minimalist decor.
Info: 1595 Saint-Laurent Boulevard | 514 845-1595 | bouillonbilk.com

Cadet: a casual bistro with the same owners as Bouillon Bilk.
Info: 1431 Saint-Laurent Boulevard | 514 903-1631 | restaurantcadet.com

Café Parvis: located next to Place des Arts, serves low-cost meals with cocktails on a peaceful green terrace.
Info: 433 Mayor Street | 514 764-3589 | cafeparvis.com

Pullman: an urban-style wine bar with an extensive tapas menu, located north of Sherbrooke Street, away from the frenzy of the festival.
Info: 3424 Parc Avenue | 514 288-7779 | pullman-mtl.com

Moleskine: the brother and neighbour of Pullman, Moleskine offers two options: a pizzeria with an open kitchen on the ground floor, and a chic dining room with a menu of market cuisine on the first floor.
Info: 3412 Parc Avenue | 514 903-6939 | moleskine-mtl.com

Lola Rosa: an informal restaurant and lounge bar with a menu of vegetarian comfort food.
Info: 276 Sainte-Catherine Street West | 514 543-0613 | lola-rosa.ca

Maison du Jazz: an internationally renowned jazz club, 10 minutes walking distance from the Quartier des spectacles, with a menu of steak, fish, and chicken and ribs.
Info: 2060 Aylmer Street | 514 842-8656 | houseofjazz.ca
 
In Verdun on Wellington Street, near the Scène Loto-Québec:

Blackstrap BBQ: Texas-style, spice-rubbed and slowly charcoal-grilled meat.
Info: 4436 Wellington Street | 514 507-6772 | blackstrapbbq.ca

Bar Palco: signature cocktails and local beers accompanied by simple, generous dishes.
Info: 4019 Wellington Street | 514 303-1345 | barpalco.com

BENELUX: a traditional brewery with 15 kinds of beer brewed onsite, a menu of wine and ciders, accompanied by paninis and euro dogs.
Info: 4026 Wellington Street | 514 508-5592 | brasseriebenelux.com/wellington