Article Contributed by Big Hassle Media
Published on 2026-03-29
The Festival International de
Must-see highlights: Highly anticipated free concerts on the TD Stage featuring today’s top local and international artists, including Patrick Watson,
This historic edition will also mark what would be the 100th birthdays of Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Tony Bennett, while celebrating major milestones for UZEB and the late J Dilla. To find out when tickets go on sale for indoor concerts, visit montrealjazzfest.com.
“The programming for the 46th FIJM is a testament to the great jazz family tree, which has flourished for more than 100 years. Across its many branches, we celebrate the genre’s pivotal moments and living legacy, while introducing the artists shaping its future. Montréal remains a vital hub for jazz, and this is an event you won’t want to miss.” —Maurin Auxéméry, Director of Programming, FIJM
A TD STAGE WITH BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS
It’s official: Angine de Poitrine is coming back to the FIJM! The enigmatic duo from Saguenay—who became a global phenomenon following the recording of their performance at the Trans Musicales festival in Rennes and a standout appearance on Tout le monde en parle—will take over the TD Stage (L’Événement Spécial Rio Tinto) this time for a free concert, sure to be one of the most anticipated shows of the year. Also appearing on the main stage: indie-folk group The Barr Brothers, performing tracks from their latest album Let It Hiss, and the essential Patrick Watson as part of his Uh Oh tour. Every one of Watson’s Festival appearances becomes a magical moment; his surprise concert at the Place des Festivals last year is a prime example.
Crowds will also flock to the TD Stage to hear today’s top global artists, such as the sensational Willow (daughter of Will Smith) will finally play in Montréal with her fluid blend of R&B, soul and jazz, as will the blues-rock sister act Larkin Poe, also making their FIJM debut. Check out Naïka, the up-and-coming Franco-Haitian singer who deftly blends her global influences with Western pop, R&B and soul, as well as French-Palestinian sensation Saint Levant, who fuses Western and Middle Eastern musical sensibilities, and Smino, the futuristic funk and soulful rap artist whose collaborations include Doechii. And a true Festival favourite, the London-based group KOKOROKO, returns with their passionate fusion of jazz and afrobeat sounds.
HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES
This year, the Festival will celebrate the centenaries of three jazz giants, all born in 1926: Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Tony Bennett.
The legendary trumpeter will be honoured during the concert We Want Miles – A Miles Davis Centennial Celebration, featuring Marcus Miller, Davis’s final musical director, at the Maison Symphonique (LE FESTIVAL À LA MAISON SYMPHONIQUE ROGERS). Meanwhile, trumpeter Ron Di Lauro will perform the iconic album Kind of Blue on stage at Le Gesù (JAZZ DANS LA NUIT in collaboration with RADIO-CANADA). In the same series, the Ciné-concert: Ascenseur pour l’échafaud revisité par Rémi Cormier Quintet will bring to life Miles Davis’s 1958 soundtrack for the Louis Malle film.
The legacy of John Coltrane will also be celebrated with Modes of Coltrane by the Christine Jensen Sextet at the Club Montréal Loto-Québec Stage, followed by Isaiah Collier, who will perform A Love Supreme in its entirety at the Place des Arts’ Théâtre Jean-Duceppe (JAZZ BEAT in collaboration with CBC MUSIC).
The tributes continue with John Pizzarelli sings Bennett, featuring American jazz guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli honouring the late Tony Bennett at Place des Arts’ Théâtre Maisonneuve (LES GRANDS CONCERTS RIO TINTO in collaboration with The Beat 92.5).
Twenty years after the untimely passing of J Dilla and the 2006 release of his legendary album Donuts, DJ Jazzy Jeff will pay him homage during the Donuts 20th Anniversary Celebration Party with the Montréal Loves Dilla collective at Club Soda (LES COULEURS in collaboration with THE GAZETTE).
The Festival will also mark the 50th anniversary of the group UZEB with the premiere of the documentary UZEB en fusion, as well as performances by Alain Caron and Michel Cusson at Le Gesù (LES CONCERTS INTIMES in collaboration with LA PRESSE).
JAZZ HERE AND NOW: HEIRS TO THE LEGENDS
The jazz tradition is in good hands with artists like Craig Taborn, the Brooklyn pianist and recent MacArthur “genius grant” recipient, performing at Pub Molson. Festival-goers can also hear the Jean-Michel Pilc Trio at Le Studio TD (ENTRÉE LIBRE TD), a group known for both honouring and deconstructing jazz rhythms. Meanwhile, Théâtre Maisonneuve will host the unprecedented pairing of Christian McBride & Julian Lage, two undisputed legends of the current jazz scene (LES GRANDS CONCERTS RIO TINTO in collaboration with The Beat 92.5). Lorraine Desmarais, recipient of the 2002 Oscar Peterson Award, will present a concert in the purest jazz tradition at Place des Arts’ Théâtre Jean-Duceppe (JAZZ BEAT in collaboration with CBC MUSIC). The FIJM is proud to welcome GENA for the first time—a duo known for fiery percussive and vocal improvisations—with Liv.e and
The lineup also spotlights artists who are sustaining the jazz legacy while simultaneously reinventing it. This includes the French-American duo DOMi & JD BECK, returning to MTELUS (LES RYTHMES MOLSON) three years after an impressive performance on the Place des Festivals and their stint opening for Herbie Hancock. Don’t miss the prodigy Mohini Dey, an extraordinary bassist from India. Making waves with her powerful fusion of jazz and metal, she has been playing professionally since the age of 10. She will be appearing at Le Studio TD (ENTRÉE LIBRE TD). On the Rogers Stage, Montréal audiences are invited to discover Mei Semones, a neo-bossa jazz artist who writes songs in both English and Japanese, as well as the Louis Cole Big Band, a viral future-sonic-funk ensemble known for delivering unforgettable performances. Also appearing is the talented flutist and singer Elena Pinderhughes, who will grace the stage at Pub Molson.
The new offshoots of the jazz legacy are thriving through artists who carry its foundations into innovative new styles. Consider the flamboyant R&B of Destin Conrad, veritable social media star, or the orchestral-scale folk of Annahstasia. Be sure to catch these two rising stars on the TD Stage while there is still time. On the same stage, look for Gabriel Jacoby, a stunning multi-instrumentalist and poet making his very first Festival appearance. Audiences will also fall for Nubiyan Twist, an irresistible ensemble featuring a powerful blend of jazz, afrobeat, dancehall and reggae on the Rogers Stage. Finally, be sure to discover Fabiola Méndez, a highly gifted cuatrista known for her unique genre fusions and her collaboration with none other than Bad Bunny.
The Festival will also honour “legendary cousins” of the genre, featuring a rare visit from the salsa orchestra El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, bringing the party to Place des Arts’ Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier (ÉVÉNEMENTS SPÉCIAUX TD). Additionally, Lionel Richie, accompanied by Earth, Wind & Fire, will have the Bell Centre on its feet.
FULL PROGRAMMING AND CONCERT SCHEDULE HERE
