Jazz fans the world over are making plans
to attend the 27th Montreal Jazz Festival, an 11-day celebration
that spans the blues of octogenarian B.B. King to the edgy
soundscape of Swedens Esbjorn Svensson Trio. The festival runs from
June 29 to July 9.
As in the past,
several Montreal hotels -- including the traditional festival
headquarters, the four-star Hyatt Regency -- are offering
attractive packages that include lodging, breakfast, a compilation
CD of past festival performances and a $20 (Canadian) gift
certificate, worth about $17, thats redeemable at the Casino de
Montreal.
The most
expensive deal -- but in many ways the most agreeable, considering
the hotels location in the heart of the festival complex -- is
offered by the Hyatt Regency. The festival package is available at
net rates of $192 per night, Thursday to Sunday, and $148, Monday
to Wednesday.
Another four-star
property, the boutique Hotel XIXe Siecle, offers a package at agent
net rates of $147 per night on weekdays and weekends, while the
three-star Holiday Inn Select has a net-rate plan of $132 a night,
plus an $8.70 per day breakfast charge.
The two-star
Travelodge Montreal Centre is charging $109 a night net rates for
travel agents. All prices are per night, double.
Jazz Festival
tickets have been set aside for purchase by tourists and are
already on sale for six major festival shows at the 
Salle Wilfred-Pelletier in the
Place des Arts, including the B.B. King pre-opener June 28 (tickets
range from $60 to $85.50), the John Pizzarelli Big Band June 29
($42.50 to $68) and Bonnie Raitt, with bluesman Keb Mo, July 7 ($34
to $60). The complete program of performers will be released May
3.
Organizers also
offer a Festival Pack, commissionable at 10%, that includes a
T-shirt, priority access to indoor concerts, a ticket for the Jazz
dIci series with local musicians, the $17 gift certificate for the
Casino de Montreal, a two-for-one walking tour of Old Montreal, a
Friends of the Festival card that allows for access to jam sessions
at the Hyatt Regency and a compilation performance CD.
The total value
of the pack, which costs $35, is figured at $138 for a four-day
stay and $272 for the entire festival.
For more or to
reserve, go to www.montrealjazzfest.com or call (888)
515-0515.
To contact
reporter Joe Rosen, send e-mail to [email protected].