The fourth evening of the 45th Montreal Jazz Festival presented the Avishai Cohen Trio performing “Two Roses” with a symphony orchestra at the Maison Symphonique de Montréal.
The performance, which lasted about an hour and a half, was an international and multilingual collection of pieces. From Nat King Cole to Hebrew, Judeo-Spanish, and Lebanese inspirations, Cohen’s show was both a musical and cultural experience. Integrating jazz, classical, and orchestral genres added another layer of diversity to the set list, leading the viewers through a kaleidoscope of musicality. The audience itself was an attestation to the intergenerational, undying pull of live jazz music; kids, elderly, and teenagers could all be spotted fixated on the stage. Their awe was demonstrated by the numerous standing ovations offered.
The city served as a continuity of the show’s energy. At the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles, the Maison Symphonique’s location made exiting the performance just as much of an experience. Immediately beside the venue stood a public piano, and up the street was an open cabaret stage for public concerts. Huddled around each station were eager listeners, with different sounds piercing the air at separate sections of Saint Catherine street. The city was buzzing, extending the thrill of the performance far beyond the orchestra doors.
The Montreal Jazz Festival stands as a pillar of cross-cultural, translinguistic cohesion in music, and Cohen’s compositions paralleled a twin spirit. In reinterpreting cultural sounds and integrating numerous languages, the performance effectively showcased both the universality of music and the multicultural identity of Montreal.
The 2025 Montreal Jazz Fetival runs from June 26 – July 5. Tickets and program for all shows can be found HERE.
