The 33rd edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal-still the largest festival in the world-presented over 800 concerts from June 28-July 7, nearly half of them free, outdoor performances. Yes, native son Rufus Wainwright delivered its mega-concert opening night; and yes, it also featured Seal, Liza Minnelli and other diverse musical offerings. But, as always, the festival also offered a plethora of jazz in its various incarnations, including a number of heavy hitters, up-and-comers and Quebecois/Canadian artists. And so, once again, there was (more than) something for everyone.
Day 1 was as multicultural and multinational as the entire festival and the city it lives in, featuring artists hailing from Senegal, Cuba, Venezuela and Mali; Carlos Saura’s Flamenco Hoy; and a bunch of jazz, including Bill Frisell, Stanley Clarke, Spectrum Road (read about it in the August issue, as well as here) and Montréal’s bassist-in-demand, Fraser Hollins, with special guests Brian Blade and Jon Cowherd, with fellow Montréaler, saxophonist Joel Miller.
