Montreal Jazz Fest 2019: What not to miss!

Montreal’s Jazz Fest is celebrating a huge milestone this year; their 40th anniversary in Montreal! In less than a month, the streets of downtown will be filled with eclectic music performers from all around the world. The festival kicks off on Wednesday, June 26th and closes on July 6th. There is a slew of both indoor and outdoor shows for you to check out throughout the months of June and July. This year the city is expecting to welcome more than two million spectators.

Best of all? You can enjoy the party without spending a dime! Though we can’t imagine experiencing the festival without a beer in hand. Here are just a few events you cannot miss if you’re travelling to Montreal to enjoy the sights and sounds of Montreal Jazz Fest.

Free Outdoor Concerts

In the past, the fest has welcomed huge names like Stevie Wonder, Patrick Watson, Pat Metheny, [Ella Fitzgerald and The War On Drugs. This year, there will be even more iconic groups added to the roster. Charlotte Cardin, the 24-year-old singer who first made waves on TVA’s La Voix in 2013, will kick off the free outdoor shows June 27th, after the big concert Funk It Up, presented at the opening with The Brooks band and several guests specials on the main stage. Her songs and vivacious stage presence are set to take over Place des Festivals at 9:30 pm.

Other acts of note are:

June 28th: ERIK TRUFFAZ QUARTET Ft. NYA, 9:30 pm – TD Stage, Place des Festivals

July 2nd: Nick Murphy fka Chet Faker, 9:30 pm – TD Stage, Place des Festivals

July 4th: Molly Johnson, 9:30 pm – TD Stage, Place des Festivals

July 6th: Matt Holubowski, 9:30 pm – TD Stage, Place des Festivals

Espace Verdun

Starting in its 40th year, Jazz Fest will highlight a different area every year for the next five years, allowing all of Montreal to benefit from a cultural, economic and touristic standpoint. The first borough to reap the rewards will be Verdun, who will play host to a myriad of artists, street performers, vendors and more.

“After creating so much wealth for Montréal, and revealing the potential of the Quartier des Spectacles, we are taking up the challenge of going one step further by putting our event at the service of the cultural, social, tourism and economic development of other Montréal neighbourhoods,” says Jacques-André Dupont, CEO of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.

“I’m very proud that our project created so much interest. We received applications from 15 boroughs. Every proposal was very interesting and original. As such, we have inspiration for many years to come. But for the first iteration of the concept, we chose Verdun because of the dynamism of that borough and its population, the SDC Promenade Wellington and the merchants of the sector. We’ll be able to count on solid partnerships, and their financial participation in the project shows the potential of the concept. Wellington Street reminds us of the years of the Festival on St-Denis Street. We’re happy and proud that the Festival will continue its development in the service of our beautiful city.”

The hub is entirely free for all to enjoy and aim to offer the same artistic merit as the festival, upholding the beliefs of sustainable progress and eco-responsibility.

The Big $$$ Acts

Of course, Montreal Jazz Fest wouldn’t be complete without notable acts performing at over 20 both indoor and outdoor venues, located in around Quartier des Spectacles. Though these names will cost you a bit more to see, the experience is well worth the price tag. Jazz darling Norah Jones is likely the most anticipated performer of the year, playing on June 27th at the beautiful Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, in Place des Arts. Tickets are going for $42 to $125, taxes and fees included. Other notable ticketed events are:

June 27th: Steve Gadd Band, 20 h – Monument-National

June 29th-30th: Melody Gardot, 7:30 pm – Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts

July 2nd: Bryan Adams, 8 pm – Bell Centre

July 2nd: Biréli Lagrène, 6 pm – Salle du Gésù

July 2nd: Nick Murphy fka Chet Faker, 9:30 pm – TD Stage, Place des Festivals

July 4th: Molly Johnson, 9:30 pm – TD Stage, Place des Festivals

July 5th: Bahamas, – 8 pm Théâtre Maisonneuve, Place des Arts

July 6th: Leslie Odom, Jr. & Dominique Fils-Aimé, 8:00 pm – Théâtre Maisonneuve, Place des Arts

July 6th: Buddy Guy and Colin James, 7:30 pm – Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts

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