2. Free Outdoor Concert Picks: Monday, June 30 to Thursday, July 3
3. Free Outdoor Concert Picks: Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6
4. More on the Montreal Jazz Festival
Truly a fest for everyone and every budget, this year's 29th edition of the Montreal International Jazz Festival -- from June 26 to July 6, 2008 -- features 3,000 musicians representing 30 countries, with musical styles from jazz to blues to folk to reggae to electronica and everything in between. Festival goers can look forward to all sorts of concerts, special events for kids and a constant flow of free outdoor shows, everyday, starting at 11 a.m. through midnight. Check out this year's top free shows, just below.
And with -- but you have to buy tickets for these -- headliners like Montreal native demi-god, Leonard Cohen, as well as soul giants Al Green and Aretha Franklin, a touch of folk with James Taylor, some Steely Dan and of course Woody Allen on clarinet, 2008 may very well top the 2.5 million mark of attendees expected to partake in Montreal's largest and most prolific festival of the year.
Montreal Jazz Fest Info-Line
(514) 871-1881
Street Closures
Cars are prohibited on de Maisonneuve and Ste. Catherine, from Jeanne Mance to St. Urbain for the duration of the festival (June 26 to July 6, 2008).
Get to the Jazz Fest
Considering how congested it gets around the jazz fest car-free perimeter, save yourself the trouble of finding parking (and reduce carbon emissions) and leave your cars at home. Take the subway, get off at either Place des Arts Metro or St. Laurent Metro and just follow the crowd upon exit.
FREE OUTDOOR JAZZ FEST SHOWS: TOP PICKS FOR MONDAY
Monday, June 30
Fat Tuesday Brass Band
Time: 2 p.m.
Where: Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal Fountain, near Ste. Catherine and Jeanne Mance
Also playing July 1st, July 2nd and July 5. Consult the Montreal International Jazz Festival website for details.
Monday, June 30
Alexis Baro
Time: 6 p.m.
Where: General Motors Stage, corner of Jeanne-Mance and Ste. Catherine
Monday, June 30
Mario Allard Quintet
Time: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Where: Club Jazz TD Canada Trust Stage, on Ste. Catherine, between St. Urbain and St. Laurent
Monday, June 30
That 1 Guy
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Pavillon Heineken, corner of de Maisonneuve and Jeanne-Mance
Monday, June 30
Mayra Andrade
Time: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Where: Rio Tinto Alcan Stage, on Ste. Catherine, in front of the Complexe Desjardins, facing the Place des Arts fountain
Monday, June 30
Travis Sullivan's Bjorkestra
Time: 11 p.m.
Where: General Motors Stage, corner of Jeanne-Mance and Ste. Catherine
Monday, June 30
JF Lemieux with Africana Soul Sisters
Time: Midnight
Where: Savoy du Metropolis, just outside 59 Ste. Catherine Street, East of St. Laurent
Also playing July 1st. Consult the Montreal International Jazz Festival website for details.
FREE OUTDOOR JAZZ FEST SHOWS: TOP PICKS FOR TUESDAY (CANADA DAY)
Tuesday, July 1st
Zikabilo
Time: 4:45 pm. and 6:30 p.m.
Where: CBC Stage, on St. Urbain, above Ste. Catherine
Also playing July 1st, July 2nd, July 3rd, July 4th and July 6. Consult the Montreal International Jazz Festival website for details.
Tuesday, July 1st
Jean-Christophe Beney Pop Up Quartet
Time: 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Where: Club Jazz TD Canada Trust Stage, on Ste. Catherine, between St. Urbain and St. Laurent
Tuesday, July 1st
Harrison Kennedy
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: General Motors Stage, corner of Jeanne-Mance and Ste. Catherine
Tuesday, July 1st
Bran Van 3000
Time: 9:30 p.m.
Where: General Motors Stage, corner of Jeanne-Mance and Ste. Catherine
Tuesday, July 1st
JF Lemieux with Africana Soul Sisters
Time: Midnight
Where: Savoy du Metropolis, just outside 59 Ste. Catherine Street, East of St. Laurent
FREE OUTDOOR JAZZ FEST SHOWS: TOP PICKS FOR WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, July 2nd
Hot Club de ma Rue
Time: 4:45 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Where: CBC Stage, on St. Urbain, above Ste. Catherine
Also playing July 4th and July 5th. Consult the Montreal International Jazz Festival website for details.
Wednesday, July 2st
Arden Arapyan
Time: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Where: Club Jazz TD Canada Trust Stage, on Ste. Catherine, between St. Urbain and St. Laurent
Wednesday, July 2nd
The Dub & the Restless with Rene Astaria and Anguilé
Time: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Where: Scène du Festival, on President-Kennedy near St. Urbain
Wednesday, July 2nd
Naturally 7
Time:9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Where: General Motors Stage, corner of Jeanne-Mance and Ste. Catherine
Wednesday, July 2nd
Trixie Whitley
Time: 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Where: CBC Stage, on St. Urbain, above Ste. Catherine
Also playing July 3rd, July 4th and July 5th. Consult the Montreal International Jazz Festival website for details.
Wednesday, July 2nd
John Roney Trio
Time: 11 p.m.
Where: General Motors Stage, corner of Jeanne-Mance and Ste. Catherine
Also playing July 3rd, July 4th and July 5th. Consult the Montreal International Jazz Festival website for details.
FREE OUTDOOR JAZZ FEST SHOWS: TOP PICKS FOR THURSDAY
Thursday, July 3rd
Trio Mystère
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Carrefour General Motors, corner Jeanne-Mance and de Maisonneuve
Also playing July 4th. Consult the Montreal International Jazz Festival website for details.
Thursday, July 3rd
Chris Tarry Group
Time: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Where: Club Jazz TD Canada Trust Stage, on Ste. Catherine, between St. Urbain and St. Laurent
Thursday, July 3rd
Michael Jerome Brown
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: SIMM GM Tent, on Ste. Catherine, corner of St. Laurent
Thursday, July 3rd
Ekotones
Time: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Where: Scène du Festival, on President-Kennedy near St. Urbain
Thursday, July 3rd
Seckou Keita Quartet
Time: 9 p.m.
Where: Bell Stage, above Ste. Catherine between St. Urbain
1. Free Outdoor Concert Picks: Thursday, June 26 to Sunday, June 29
2. Free Outdoor Concert Picks: Monday, June 30 to Thursday, July 3
3. Free Outdoor Concert Picks: Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6
4. More on the Montreal Jazz Festival
