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 FRIDAY
Friday, July 4th
Las Rubias Del Norte
Time: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Where: Rio Tinto Alcan Stage, on Ste. Catherine in front of the Complexe Desjardins
Friday, July 4th
Nate James
Time: 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Where: General Motors Stage, corner of Jeanne-Mance and Ste. Catherine
Friday, July 4th
Zaki Ibrahim
Time: 10 p.m.
Where: Bell Stage, above Ste. Catherine between St. Urbain
Friday, July 4th
Antoine Berthiaume
Time: 11 p.m.
Where: CBC Stage, on St. Urbain, above Ste. Catherine
Friday, July 4th
Bob & Bill Crime Report
Time: Midnight
Where: Savoy du Metropolis, just outside 59 Ste. Catherine Street, East of St. Laurent
Also playing July 5th. Consult the Montreal International Jazz Festival website for details.
FREE OUTDOOR JAZZ FEST SHOWS: TOP PICKS FOR SATURDAY
Saturday, July 5th
The Lost Fingers
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Where: Pavillon Heineken, corner of Bleury and de Maisonneuve
Also playing July 6. Consult the Montreal International Jazz Festival website for details.
Saturday, July 5th
Fat Tuesday Brass Band
Time: 6 p.m.
Where: CBC Stage, on St. Urbain, above Ste. Catherine
Saturday, July 5th
Marcus Shelby Quartet with Faye Carol
Time: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Where: Club Jazz TD Canada Trust Stage, on Ste. Catherine, between St. Urbain and St. Laurent
Saturday, July 5th
Gokh-Bi System
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Bell Stage, above Ste. Catherine between St. Urbain
Saturday, July 5th
Amanda Mabro and the Cabaret Band
Time: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Where: Rio Tinto Alcan Stage, on Ste. Catherine in front of the Complexe Desjardins
Saturday, July 5th
Orquesta Tipica Imperial
Time: 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Where: General Motors Stage, corner of Jeanne-Mance and Ste. Catherine
Saturday, July 5th
Time: 11 p.m.
Where: Loto-Quebec Stage, on de Maisonneuve, near St. Laurent
Saturday, July 5th
Bob & Bill Crime Report
Time: Midnight
Where: Savoy du Metropolis, just outside 59 Ste. Catherine Street, East of St. Laurent
Also playing July 5th. Consult the Montreal International Jazz Festival website for details.
FREE OUTDOOR JAZZ FEST SHOWS: TOP PICKS FOR SUNDAY
Sunday, July 6th
Christine Tassan et les Imposteurs
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Carrefour General Motors, corner Jeanne-Mance and de Maisonneuve
Sunday, July 6th
Adam Karch
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Loto-Quebec Stage, on de Maisonneuve, near St. Laurent
Sunday, July 6th
The Real Tuesday Weld
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Rio Tinto Alcan Stage, on Ste. Catherine in front of the Complexe Desjardins
Sunday, July 6th
Mory Kanté (with opening act The Lost Fingers)
Time: 9 p.m.
Where: General Motors Stage, corner of Jeanne-Mance and Ste. Catherine
Sunday, July 6th
François Jalbert Quartet
Time: 11 p.m.
Where: CBC Stage, on St. Urbain, above Ste. Catherine
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
