JAZZFEST!!!

The luscious summer days are here.... & so is the 28th edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal !!!
We are lucky as montrealers to host one of the biggest jazz festivals in the world. Starting on the 28th of June, the downtown Place des Arts area celebrates world music (not only jazz) for 11 consecutive days. A few years ago, the jazzfest started hosting more and more diversified music shows and other performances to suit all tastes. This year's edition is no exception to this trend. This makes the jazzfest a perfect event to chill out after work, bath in huge crowds of people, and enjoy summertime even if you don't particularily like jazz music.
That being said, there are a few shows (indoor & outdoor) that I would strongly recommend for this weekend (stay posted for next week's shows):

-Fri 29th: +Erik Truffaz quartet (10pm spectrum) -- this band is a fusion of ambiant jazz with electronica, Erik Truffaz's acclaimed electronic trumpet style is known to be very trippy :)
+Pawa up first (FREE 10pm scene bell) -- local experimental hip hop band... I'm not a fan of hip hop & I still love the sound of this band, its groovy and goes way beyond radio hip hop.

-Sat 30th: +Joshua Redman trio (6pm theatre maisonneuve) -- one of today's hottest tenor saxophonists will take you on a journey back to african drum beats, a jazz style similar to Sonny Rollins back in the 50's... not to miss...
+Roy Haynes quartet (10pm spectrum) -- Legendary jazz drummer in an unconventional quartet

-Sun 1st: +Felix Stussi & Give me five (FREE 6pm scene general motors) -- New quintet starring local pianist Stussi. Again another blend of genres that is worth checking out
+Jarrett, Peacock, DeJohnette (8pm Wilfrid-Pelletier) -- If you can afford it you should see this !! 3 pillars of modern jazz. I shall say no more...

-Mon 2nd: +Mike Stern/Bona/Roy Hargrove (7:30pm theatre Jean-Duceppe) -- Watch out for this is gonna be a GROOVY show !
+Soulive (FREE 9pm & 11pm general motors) -- Really cool US jazz funk band... & it's free ! :)

That's all for now,
Enjoy the festival !


nad