There are hundreds of great concerts at the 36th edition of the famous Montreal Jazz Fest. Here are my selection of top shows to see indoors (you’ll need tickets). Check out this other article to see what I recommend you to see outdoors (for free!). The festival starts Friday June 26th and ends Sunday July 5th, 2015. Here we go! 28 June – THE BAD PLUS JOSHUA REDMAN Opening act: Kneebody, Théâtre Maisonneuve – PdA 8 PM (tickets here) Who would of thought? A superstar saxophonist playing with a crazy, fun, thinking out of the box kind of jazz trio! The Bad Plus is a must on the jazz scene.They have that “je ne sais quoi“ unique sound and flair for live performance! Joshua Redman blends in, like if they were a quartet and blows your mind away! A big PLUS in this concert, and worth all your pennies for sure, is the opening act Kneebody from Brooklyn, N.Y. This great band blends a cocktail of experimental jazz, fusion, hip-hop, instrumentals, indie rock jazz and improvised music. Just that, by itself, is not to be missed! 29 June – GOGO PENGUIN, L’Astral, 9 PM The Gogo Penguin is a happening jazz trio from Manchester Uk. There’s a big buzz around this trio on the jazz scene in Europe. First time here at the Montreal International Jazz Festival. Nothing flightless about these birds! With their deep jazz and classical roots, erratic beats, digging into techno and hip-hop, this acoustic-electronica band feeds you melodies that will definitely make you want more! (tickets here) 30 June – WAYNE SHORTER QUARTET Opening act: Joey Alexander, Maison symphonique de Montréal, 7 PM (tickets here) This is an evening not to be misted! Double bill here again, with a surprising opening act, sensational 12 year old prodigy at the piano Joey Alexander. If you haven’t heard of him, it’s time you check him out. He’s the little genius that is conquering the jazz world by storm. That’s why Wayne Shorter is having his 80th birthday celebration with him! The legendary saxophonist-composer Wayne Shorter, winner of the 1996 Mile-Davis Award, returns to the FIJM flanked by his dazzling and splendid quartet (Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci and Brian Blade! A night packed with the finest jazzmen, a celebration and noteworthy jazz to delight you. I assure you, that it will be a monumental jazz concert momentum! 3 July – Kat Edmonson, Club Soda, 6 PM Jazz vocalist Kat Edmonson will dazzle you with her latest project “The Big Picture”. With a voice that is her own, very distinctive and full of lush. Focusing on her compositions, and takes on the great pop songs of the ’50s and ’70s, combining her passion for film to seduce you in to an atmosphere of visual art & jazz, she’ll takes you on a voyage back in time. Get the picture? (tickets here) 4 July- ALA.NI, l’Astral, 9 PM This fabulous young Londoner has won the heaths of many Europeans. Ala.Ni’s voice flirts with the likes of Billie Holiday. She is celebrating the release of her first EPs “You & I”. A sweet concept of 3 songs per season. So Spring & Summer are here to enjoy! She has a knack at intertwining her jazz to trip-hop. She leaves you wanting more of her soul and blues. In fact, Ala.Ni is like an old soul, her music transports you to a different era, levitating you and bringing you back to that feeling of the Roaring Twenties! How is that possible? A new comer that will stay in you heart for sure! (tickets here) See my recommendations for Free outdoors concerts here See all Jazz Fest articles here (in French and English) Check out our “Ultimate Guide” (in French) to see all recommended shows per day, through out the festival. Réagissez à cet article / Comment this article commentaires / comments
