Is it time yet? Don’t fret! (get the pun?) Jazz Fest is almost here. We know you’ve been waiting all year to spend some long summer nights at Place des Arts bathing your eardrums in the sweet sounds of the greatest musicians from around the world. This year’s lineup is exciting, as always, bringing back some old favourites, some striking choices, and some new sounds. The year is the Centennial Gala for Oscar Peterson, featuring the Oscar Peterson Centennial Quartet and Jazz Orchestra directed by John Clayton. The festival has a few interesting guitarists, with Australian fingerstylist Tony Emmanuel and the effervescent Yasmin Williams along with Rhiannon Giddens and the Old Time Review. Finally, there are film screenings featuring the music of Quincy Jones. The Color Purple, The Wiz, and In Cold Blood are being shown at Cinema du Parc.
To help you pick and choose from among the options (and there are many, as always), here’s a few we recommend.
Léonie Gray
June 26
Club Montreal Loto Quebec 7 p.m.
Free
It’s always great when the free show artists are the ones I want to see! Local Leonie Gray has collaborated with many different artists before finding herself a regular at places like L’Escalier and Honey Martins. In 2024, she released her second album (self ish) and has been making a bit of a splash with her upbeat pop-jazzy sound. Capturing the Montreal vibe, her lyrics cover themes like feminism, self-love, relationships, and mental health. She’s one to discover!
Amanda Marshall
June 27
Theatre Maisonneuve 8 p.m.
Tickets HERE
More nostalgia. Amanda Marshall’s big hits “Birmingham”, “Dark Horse”, and “Let it Rain” are bluesy, accessible storytelling pop sung with a big voice and a lot of heart. Her career did not end int he mid 1990s, as some might think. She took a hiatus from the music scene starting in 2002, and after 20 years, came back with a Juno award-winnign album, Heavy Lifting.
Samara Joy
June 28
Maison Symphonique 7 p.m.
Tickets HERE
If tickets for Nas are sold out, you still might be able to get your New York fix in by catching the soulful Samara Joy who is playing at almost the same time. She’s a rising jazz star whose many accolades include winning the Grammys in 2023. She covers songs by diverse artists as Charles Mingus and Sun Ra on her 2024 album Portrait. Think fresh interpretations of classics paired with unusual choices done with standard class.
Nas : Illmatic Live with Symphony Orchestra
June 28, 29
Salle Wilfrid Pelletier 7:30 pm
Tickets HERE and HERE
Nas is hip hop legend. Full stop. Illmatic — just 40 minutes long — is over 30 years old and still held up as an influential and evocative album with its descriptions of life in the New York City projects. It defined the New York City sound with minimalism and sampling. I never would have imagined him performing with an orchestra. Ever. Ever. Ever. But, quick a Google search shows me that 10 years ago, he celebrated 20 years of Illmatic with an orchestra, and he’s back doing the same for the 30th year anniversary. It’s been described by others as a one-of-a kind experience, majestic, and a great vibe.
Dawn Tyler Watson
June 29
Scene Rogers 7 pm, 9 pm
Free
I love Dawn Tyler Watson’s grand presence and any chance to see her sing blues and jazz is one I take. Her shows can range from rock to gospel to soul. She’s exactly what jazz fest is about and catching this Montreal classic is always a win.
Endea Owens and the Cookout
July 1
TD Stage 7:30 pm
Free
Endea Owens stands front and centre commanding presence with her bass and her joy. She graduated Juilliard, so no music slouch. And perhaps you’ve caught her on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. In 2023, she released Feel Good Music with its soulful grooves. I saw her perform last year and was captivated by this young performer leading a tight, competent multi-pieced band.
Men I Trust
July 2
TD Stage Place des Festivals, 9:30 pm
Free
For a free show, this Quebec indie band is one you’ll want to check out. Emma Proulx’s dreamy, airy vocals mesh float over the atmospheric synths. Think pop, electronic, but also just a relaxed vibe at the same time. It’s an introspective sound that seems maturely nostalgic.
The Cat Empire
July 2
MTELUS, 8:30 pm
Tickets HERE
Traveling has convinced me that Australians never stay in Australia – they’re in every hostel. And as confirmation bias, the Cat Empire, the beloved jazz/funk band of Melborne always seems to be on the road. If you want to dance and jump about and have fun from the first note to the last, this is your show to catch. Juicy!
Alison Russell
July 3
TD Stage Place des Festivals 9:30 pm
Free
Folk, jazz, blues, and Americana are all part of Alison Russell’s signature sound. Her soulful voice will lift you up. She’s got great musican chops and she blends genres to create rich sounds. Her songs often are about resilience and social justice, which makes them highly relatable and very authentic.
The 2025 Montreal Jazz Fetival runs from June 26 – July 5. Tickets and program for all shows can be found HERE.
