Defining jazz in the broadest possible terms, the 35th edition of the Montreal Jazz Festival this summer has lined up a slate of musicians to suit every imaginable taste, from rapper Snoop Dog, Frank Zappa's son Dweezil to immortals Aretha Franklin, B.B. King and Tony Bennett.
Genre-bending artists set to appear at the 11-day festival, which features more than 1,000 ticketed indoor and outdoor concerts, free shows and street performers June 26 to July 6, include Diana Ross, Elvis Costello, Rufus Wainwright and Pink Martini.
The highlight of the free concerts, without doubt, will be a performance by renowned jazz singer Diana Krall, who will make the final appearance of her Glad Rag Doll Tour June 29.
Ticketed headliners include drummers Ginger Baker, who made his name with rock group Cream, and Jackie DeJohnette, who will appear with Ravi Coltrane and Matt Garrison; New Orleans' Trombone Shorty; blues great Charlie Musselwhite, with Ben Harper; and Hammond B-3 organ master Lonnie Smith.
Contemporary jazz musicians certain to attract a following include pianist Randy Weston, sax star Joe Lovano and guitarist Bill Frisell, who will appear with trumpet player Ambrose Akinmusire.
Two homegrown Canadian favorites on tap to perform again this year are jazz singer Nikki Yanofsky and the remarkable guitar player Jordan Officer (who often can be seen and heard accompanying singer and festival favorite Susie Arioli).
The complete Montreal Jazz Festival lineup is available at www.montrealjazzfest.com/artists/Default.aspx.
This year, five hotels, among them the Hyatt Regency Montreal, the "official hotel of the festival" and the place to be and be seen for most of the visiting musicians, celebrities and fans, are offering three-night commissionable (10%) packages.
The packages, which can be combined with train transportation from most cities in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, are available from the following properties: the Hyatt Regency (1255 Jean-Mance), starting at $663; Le St. Paul Hotel (355 McGill), starting at $610; Le Square Phillips Hotel and Suites (1193 Place Phillips), $602; Le Saint-Martin Hotel (980 Maisonneuve West), starting at $580; and the Hotel L'Appartement (455 Sherbrooke West), starting at $513. The rates are per person, based on double occupancy. For more information, call (855) 288-7344.
The packages include breakfasts, a concert ticket for one of three festival venues, Club Soda, Metropolis or L'Astral; a jazz walking tour; priority access to free concerts in the Jam Sessions, Open Hour House and Nightcap Heineken series; a welcome cocktail and a guided tour of the festival site; a bag with the festival logo; the official festival T-shirt; a fedora hat with the logo; and a reusable bottle with the festival logo. One-night packages are also available.
Other activities are:
• A jazz dinner-cruise aboard the Bateau-Mouche (tourist boat) in the company of guitar virtuoso Paulo Ramos. The cruise, available June 26 to 30 and July 1 to 4 and 30 and July 2 to 4, will board at 6:15 p.m. from the Jacques Cartier Quay in the Old Port of Montreal, returning at 10:30 p.m. The cost is $120 per person, including the cruise, four-course meal, gratuities and show. For reservations, call (514) 849-9952 or (800) 361-9952 or visit bateaumouche.ca.
• Little Burgundy guided walking tour that starts from the old Windsor Station, near the neighborhood where Montreal's black community first settled, before continuing to St. Catherine Street West, once home to the city's legendary uptown jazz clubs. The visit ends up at the Maison du Festival in the heart of the festival. The tour is available June 26, 27, 28 and 30 and July 4 and 5, from 10 a.m. to noon, and: June 29, July 1 and 6 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $18 per person, plus taxes. Call (514) 871-1881 or (855) 299-3378.
• Rhythm and jazz in Little Burgundy and St. Henri tour, which requires a minimum of six people, explores the history of the districts surrounding the thriving Atwater Market, home to up-and-coming chefs, trendy restaurants, bars and boutiques as well as being the birthplace of piano immortal Oscar Peterson. The dates are June 28 and July 5, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. The price, which includes a two-and-a-half-hour tour, four tastings and taxes, is $54 per person, including taxes.
• Bar hopping in Old Montreal program, which also requires a minimum of six participants, visits three locations in Old Montreal for tapas and signature drinks. The two-hour tour, which includes three drinks and three tastings, is offered June 27 and July 4, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The price is $63, taxes included.
• Explore history through songs, which links with social movements and musicians in Quebec since the 1960s. The exhibition is at the wonderful McCord Museum from May 30 to Oct. 13. Adult admission is $15. Call (514) 398-7100.