The 11 best FREE shows at the Montreal Jazz Festival

The largest jazz festival in the world is returning to Montreal tomorrow for its 39th edition!

This year, the Montreal International Jazz Festival will feature over 500 artists from 30 different countries across the globe.

The festival goes until July 7 and will host over 150 shows at 20 different venues around the Quartier des Spectacles. Jazz Fest will welcome more than 2 million spectators during it’s run.

In honour of one of Montreal’s most prized events, we’ve assembled the best free shows to check out during the event’s 11-day run.

Jessie Reyez

This past March, Jessie Reyez won the Juno Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year. The Toronto-native is considered to be an R&B Canadian revelation. Her debut EP, Kiddo, absolutely dominated the music scene, powered by her extraordinary voice.

When: July 3
Time: 9:30 pm
Where: TD Stage, Place des Festivals

The War on Drugs

The War on Drugs’ A Deeper Understanding just won the Grammy for Best Rock Album of the year. The Philadelphia-based quartet stops by Jazz Fest as part of their major world tour. Their captivating live show and powerhouse sound will be an endearing way to close off the festival.

When: July 7
Time: 9:30 pm
Where: TD Stage, Place des Festivals

!!! (Chk Chk Chk)

 

!!! (Chk Chk Chk) is a band that you’ll never forget. Mostly for their name, but this California-based band has been bringing psychedelic rock to the masses since 1995. They make their exclamation felt on stage in colourful and avant-garde clothes.

When: June 28
Time: 9 pm and 11 pm
Where: TD Stage, Place des Festivals

Spanish Harlem Orchestra

The New York-based salsa ensemble, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, is a renowned Latin group who are veterans of Montreal’s Jazz Fest. The two-time Grammy award-winning, 13-person orchestra will be bringing some serious Salsa and Latin jazz to the festival.

When: June 30
Time: 9 pm and 11 pm
Where: TD Stage, Place des Festivals

Nomadic Massive

 

The Montreal-based Nomadic Massive has assembled band members from around the world to create a unique niche in the jazz-rap genre. Their lyrics are in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Créole. They’ll be performing songs off their newest album, The Big Band Theory. Who doesn’t love a good pun?

When: July 2
Time: 9 pm and 11 pm
Where: TD Stage, Place des Festivals

Megative

Tim Fletcher, the former singer of The Stills, has branched off to form a super-jazz-band, drawing inspiration from the 1980s British music scene. The electro-punk-reggae act has a personal take with a contemporary sound.

When: July 6
Time: 9 pm and 11 pm
Where: TD Stage, Place des Festivals

Too Many Zooz

 

Too Many Zooz achieved viral fame by jamming out in a New York Subway in 2014. Their super-jazz sound and vibrant look has rocketed the trio to stardom. If these guys don’t get your toes tapping, jazz probably isn’t for you.

When: July 5
Time: 9 pm and 11 pm
Where: TD Stage, Place des Festivals

Hannah Williams & The Affirmations

 

Hannah Williams brings her deep soul sound and powerhouse voice to the Jazz Fest for various free shows. She inspired Jay-Z to write 4:44, and then made her his protégée. That’s pretty high praise. She is accompanied by her band The Affirmations to conjure a vortex of supreme soul.

When: July 4 and 6
Time: 9 pm and 11 pm on July 4 and 8 pm and 10 pm on July 6
Where: TD Stage, Place des Festivals on July 4 and Rio Tinto Stage on July 6

Stéphane Moraille