(Montreal) Nearly 400 concerts expected spread over six large outdoor stages and several halls, the Festival international de jazz de Montréal (FIJM) will get back on track this year by also providing a space dedicated to local artists.
Posted yesterday at 4:33 p.m.
“It’s finally back”, launched the vice-president of programming and production of Équipe Spectra, Laurent Saulnier, to the dozens of guests gathered Tuesday at Studio TD (formerly L’Astral) to find out the latest details. programming.
Several artists such as Hubert Lenoir, Clay and Friends and Bran Van 3000 are added to the names previously announced in April such as Tash Sultana opening and The Roots closing.
Many free shows were also unveiled on Tuesday. The festival management says it wants to return to accessibility, “one of the main foundations of the festival”, by offering two series of free admission concerts at Studio TD.
About 60% of the artists come from outside Quebec, but local talent occupies an equally important place through the festival, which will be held from June 30 to July 9.
Moreover, after having “taken good care” of the words “festival”, “international” and “jazz” which make up its name, the event decides for its 42e year of giving more particular attention to the “Montréal” component, said Mr. Saulnier.
Thus, a new outdoor stage will be dedicated to Montreal artists. At the heart of the event site, on the Place des Arts Esplanade, there will be performances by Jesse Mac Cormack, Fernie, Sara-Danielle and Léonie Gray, among others. The “Club Montréal TD” will also offer festival-goers local flavored food and alcohol.
“There was never any question of us abandoning the local Jazz Festival scene. It is a scene that is essential for us, ”said the director of programming for the Spectra festivals, Maurin Auxéméry, to The Canadian Press.
The interior rooms will not be left without Quebec talent. Mr. Auxéméry cites Hanorah in particular, who will open for Dominique Fils-Aimé at the Théâtre Maisonneuve on July 3. A “magnificent” artist who grew up with the festival and who arrives “with a good reputation here”, describes the director of programming.
The addition of Quebec singer Hubert Lenoir to the lineup seems to have surprised many at Studio TD on Tuesday. The singer-songwriter will perform all in jazz at the Gesù on July 3.
“Those who have doubts, you are not at the end of your surprises”, indicated Laurent Saulnier.
“He works with a lot of jazzmen. And I think he also has his heart in jazz, a very improvisational side, very tightrope all the time. He has an extremely jazzy attitude,” said Maurin Auxéméry in an interview.
“Super-excited”
A few weeks before the start of the FIJM, the festival team is “super-excited” after two years of pandemic, says Mr. Auxéméry.
“I do not know this experience unfortunately, but it gives the impression of having given birth to a baby who took a long, long, long time to come out”, commented the programmer.
Like many events, the last two years have been very different for the FIJM, which offered a digital format in 2020 and a smaller scale edition the following year.
In 2022, it will therefore be a return to normal without health restrictions. “We’ve dropped the main sail and we’re moving forward full speed “, said Mr. Auxéméry.
He mentions that ticket sales are going well with results similar to the years before COVID-19.
This article was produced with the financial support of the Meta Fellowships and The Canadian Press for News.