Rick Keene Music Scene – Celebrating Forty Years of Jazz!

The Montreal International Jazz Festival is celebrating an anniversary with a bang.

Noah Preminger concert at Sa Pobla (2012)

It has been forty years since those days on St Denis street. A simpler time for the city of Montreal, music and the world.

Simple may have been good for humanity but the complexity of The Montreal Jazz Festival is more than welcome. The city of Montreal has become a beacon for all music from all corners of the globe. Jazz may be the brand yet diversity remains at the core of the biggest festival of it’s kind in North America.

This summer, 150 indoor shows will take place in and around the city of Montreal. Among the crowds, the sounds and sights – music will provide an ambiance unlike any. Forget the LED lighting, the gourmet food from all ethnic groups or the stars in the sky. None of them would be as enticing without the sounds of the multi – talented artists visiting the city. How do you say Bienvenue with a trumpet or a saxophone?

2019 brings a lively bunch of tunes to the city. Some of the acts fulfilling the void left by months of cold winter nights are the who is who of music. The kings, the Queens and their devoted disciples. Talent is an understatement when describing the playlist of live music showcasing their art from June 27th to July 6th.

Norah Jones, Blue Rodeo, Melody Gardot, George Benson, Alan Parsons, Alt -J, Peter Frampton, Buddy Guy and Colin James. All bases are covered at Salle Wilfred Pelletier. Soulful Blues, Country Pop and Jazz will exit Place des Arts and engulf the masses on Rue Ste Catherine.

Omara Portuondo, Madeliene Peyroux,
Bebel Gilberto,
Ravi Coltrane Quartet,
Dianne Reeves ,
Joshua Redman Quartet with Aaron Goldberg, Reuben Rogers & Gregory Hutchinson

A few of the artists performing at Theatre Maisonneuve. A few of the artists creating magic.

The Montreal International Jazz Festival adds more venues and more artists each year. The city has become one giant Rue St. Denis as it enters it’s fortieth season as both an innovating festival and a badge of honor for all who perform and attend.