Montreal International Jazz Festival announces 44th Summer lineup

The sounds of Jazz will fill the city once again this Summer with the 44th Montreal International Jazz Festival. Organizers unveiled the lineup Tuesday — with some big international artists like André 3000 and Norah Jones — as well as some well-known local musicians that include Kid Koala and Alexandra Stréliski. 

“Having the name of Montreal in the name of the festival means we need to help and be here for the local scene. We have a tremendous line-up of local artists coming to the festival,” said Maurin Auxéméry, the programming director of Montreal International Jazz Festival.

Possibly the biggest international name at the jazz festival is André 3000 who will be performing instrumental music from his new album. 

“He’s not going to be playing the Outcast songs for sure. He’s here for his jazz, ambient, new-age experience with the flute. I think it’s an exciting moment that we’ll be able to share with him,” said Auxéméry.

Montreal’s summer jazz festival runs from June 27th to July 6th. There will be more than 350 shows and two-thirds of them are free — many located at outdoor venues in downtown Montreal near Place des Arts.

The programming includes more traditional jazz performances but also features musicians inspired by rock, pop, and hip hop as well as other sounds from the global music scene. 

“What is exciting about Jazz Festival is that it’s free outdoors. So anyone can attend the festival. That’s super important.”

Auxéméry, the festival’s programming director says that the notion of borders between music genres is fading away and their programming team has the duty and pleasure to reflect this evolution in music today. 

“We feel that the borders in different sizes of music are disappearing. You know, it’s merging. For me, is it important to put people in boxes, artists in boxes, when they’re just doing good music? That’s the question we’re asking ourselves every day.”

Tickets for concerts go on sale to the general public on Friday, April 12th, but festival newsletter subscribers can buy tickets a day earlier. 

“We need you. Because the festival without an audience is not a festival. We need artists. We have the artists. We are just waiting for you now,” said Auxéméry. 

“Just come to the festival. I’m pretty sure you’re going to find something that you like.”