About the Montreal International Jazz Festival

DESCRIPTION:

The Montreal International Jazz Festival was founded in 1980 by Alain Simard, André Ménard, and Denys McCann. The inaugural event was a bit of a gamble, with jazz legends like Ray Charles and Chick Corea performing on a budget funded by loans and government grants. But it was a huge success, and since then, the festival has grown into the largest jazz festival in the world, as noted by the Guinness World Records.

Typically held in late June to early July, it's a celebration of jazz, blues, reggae, world music, and even pop and rock. Big names like Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, and Prince have graced the stages along with up-and-coming talent.

The festival takes place in the heart of Montreal's Quartier des Spectacles, an arts and entertainment district in the city. The streets are closed off to traffic, and there are multiple outdoor stages where you can watch free performances. Indoor concerts occur in venues around the city, some requiring tickets.

There's also plenty of food to sample, from food trucks serving local fare to the nearby restaurants offering festival specials. In Montreal, you'll discover its rich history, culture, and fantastic places to visit when you're not enjoying the music. Whether you're a jazz enthusiast or just a casual fan, it's an experience you will remember. The whole city celebrates jazz, and it's truly magical!

PLEASE NOTE:
Treat all televised and venue-specific events (sporting, concerts, trade shows, etc.) as estimated. Several factors can cause an event to move dates at the last minute, including weather, strikes, natural disasters, political upheaval, conflicting programming, pandemics, and current events. Because of this, always verify the event with the promotor before committing resources. LEEP often estimates dates based on the previous year's schedules, as the final dates are only a few months, weeks, or days before the event. If the date is known to be estimated, you will see an (est) following the date in the title.