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Jun 22, 2015 Montréal Jazz Festival By Paul Bridgewater

Now in its 36th year, the largest annual celebration of jazz (and beyond) in the world returns later this week for two weeks of amazing music in downtown Montréal.

Close to 2,000 artists and a couple of million fans will hit the largest city in Québec from June 26 to July 5 for round-the-clock shows from some of the greats and whole bunch of emerging talent.

The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal is known for its impeccable curation that sees living legends nestling among newer names with some real curveball surprises. In 2014 Rufus Wainwright and Beck were obvious highlights but this year that accolade falls to a more understated clutch of artists.

Beirut is something of a real coup for the festival. In the wake of Zach Condon’s last record, the New Mexico-born frontman has endured hospitalization, divorce, exhaustion, and writers’ block to deliver new album No No No, which sees him unite with 4AD for the first time. The band kicks off the festival’s opening night with a free concert on the TD Stage. Also on the free-show line-up and always worth your time are Montréal residents The Barr Brothers.

Died in the wool indie fans will salivate over the appearance of leftfield legends My Brightest Diamond and Cibo Matto but arguably more exciting is the inclusion of Natalie Prass-one of 2015’s more interesting successes, riding high after an extraordinary debut and a year of touring and collaboration.

Two of the world’s most cutting edge indie labels are represented at the Festival this year with Ghostly International’s Shigeto—aka Zach Saginaw—among the more electronic offerings. The Ninja Tune-singed Norwegians Jaga Jazzist also make an appearance, fresh from releasing new album Starfire earlier this month.

Toronto jazz trio BADBADNOTGOOD dropped their collaboration with Wu-Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah back in February and both artists feature together for their acclaimed live show, which also drops in a few numbers from the New York-born rapper’s former band. There’s an appearance from King Sunny Adé, the legendary Nigerian musician whose influence on contemporary guitar music is nothing short of ridiculous.

Further up the bill, Erykah Badu makes her first ever appearance at the festival ahead of a long promised new record. She joins headliners that range from jazz notables Ron Carter, John Scofield, and Joe Lovano to loveable ‘80s’ legends Huey Lewis and the News and living legends such as Wayne Shorter and Dee Dee Bridgewater. A “Grand Blues Evening” honoring the late BB King will close the festival on the TD Stage.

www.montrealjazzfest.com