Give honour where honour is due. Almost six years after his death, the Montrealer Leonard Cohenwill be the subject of a new discographic tribute concocted by the American director larry klein (Melody Gardot, Norah Jones, Holly Cole) for the Blue Note label, titled Here It Is: A Tribute to Leonard Cohen. Twelve rereadings by the big names of a jazz flirting with pop, unless it’s the other way around: James Taylor will tackle Coming Back to YouNathaniel Rateliff at Famous Blue RaincoatGregory Porter at Susannaeven Iggy Pop, Mavis Staples and Bill Frisell lend themselves to the game.
Congo in the spotlight
Nicknamed “The King”, Fally Ipupa is probably the star of the hour on the musical scene of French-speaking Africa, with supporting figures: released barely two months ago, the clip of his success Blocked, a prelude to the arrival of a seventh album, has been viewed more than 8 million times. The Congolese musician, as comfortable on a rumba as on a modern Afrobeat rhythm, will certainly be a packed house at the Olympia theater on October 12; Afrotronix, Afro-B and BM will ensure its first part.
Quebec September
Some remarkable albums are expected in the coming weeks, starting with the new rafael zaldivarbaptized RUMBA — landing on September 16, on the Effendi label. The Cuban-born composer and pianist invited the cream of performers from the local jazz scene as well as a few distinguished guests, including Terri Lyne Carrington and Kurt Rosenwinkel.
The same day will also appear the album Michel Donato and his Quebec friends highlighting the 80e birthday of the composer and double bass player Michael Donato (launch on November 12 at the Upstairs) as well as a new album by the composer and guitarist Rene Lussierentitled To hell with green, the substance of which he presented to us during the last edition of the Festival international de musique contemporaine de Victoriaville.
On October 23, the composer and pianist Gentian MG will reveal the new album of his trio entitled Walls Made of Glass, excerpts of which were presented to the public at the Festival international de jazz de Montréal two months ago. Finally, on November 25 will appear Paperlapappalbum of the duo formed by the pianist Felix Stussi and the saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist John Derome — the latter will also unveil on September 9 the album Rose Drummond“a tribute to this great artist and Quebec pioneer, made from a collection of ready-made and absurd songs drawn from all of [sa] career,” he explains.
A hot autumn
The year 2022 is particularly generous in concerts for lovers of modern Latin music, and it continues this fall with two tours to make the crowds dance. On September 17, the Colombian Sebastian Yatra, master of romantic pop ballads, will seduce Place Bell; in the first part, his colleague Karol Greggaeton/Latin trap star, is just as worth the detour — released last April, the music video for Provence, the first extract from an upcoming album, has already been viewed more than 420 million times on YouTube! Then, on October 20, still at Place Bell in Laval, the legendary Puerto Rican duo Wisin and Yandela reggaeton pioneer, will stop over with us before continuing his farewell tour called The Ultima Mission.
The comet flies away!
This will be one of the most eagerly awaited international visits by jazzophiles: on October 15, the British trio The Comet Is Coming returns to Montreal, this time on the boards of the National. The futuristic jazz ensemble, made up of saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings, drummer Max “Betamax” Hallett and keyboardist Dan “Danalogue” Leavers, will come to defend the new compositions from their fourth album,Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam (Impulse! Records), expected September 23.
The other festival season
Return of the OFF Montreal Jazz Festival, from October 6 to 15, in the nicest halls of the metropolis. The detailed menu of the program will be unveiled on September 12, so let’s limit ourselves to making your mouth water by mentioning the visit of theNational Jazz Orchestra (France), which will offer a performance called Ex Machina on October 7, and that of theJoe set Chambers – Andrés Vial October 15, both at the Plaza Theater.
In the department of mixed music, Mundial Montreal promises new revelations from November 15 to 18. the Helsinki-Cotonou Togetherthe traditional orchestra The Devil at Five and sets Lengaïa Salsa Brava and Moneka Arabic Jazz have already confirmed their attendance. We are waiting for the program of the 23e edition of the Arab World Festival, which usually takes place at the beginning of November. And what is this new little festival that has booked the hall of O Patro Vys on October 7th and 8th? The Montreal Django Festival.