Laurent Saulnier, VP Programming offers Montreal Jazz Festival recommendations

Laurent Saulnier is the Vice-President of Programming for the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the world’s largest jazz festival according to the Guinness Book of Records. It’s a massive feel-good celebration of music that takes over Montreal concert halls and the surrounding Place des Festivals, a network of downtown thoroughfares that convert to become open-air concert venues. Laurent recently offered his suggestions our readers.

“In keeping with the title of your paper and website, I’m going to highlight shows that will feature Montreal musicians who will be performing in our Jazz D’Ici series which takes place at L’Astral in the Maison du Festival.”

“Daniel Clarke Bouchard, the 17 year-old classical piano prodigy (who has been mentored by Oliver Jones) will perform his first jazz concert, working with a five-piece band.” Daniel has performed with Gregory Charles, L’Orchestre Metropolitain, Molly Johnson and The Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir. His premiere jazz show will take place on Thursday, June 29.

Jazz Festival

Parlor Social
Dessy Di Lauro
Photo: Taylor Ballantyne

“Saxophone player extraordinaire Christine Jensen and her sister Ingrid (trumpet) will perform her newest album Infinitude with guitarist Ben Monder joining Christine’s band, as he did on the recording.” At L’Astral on Friday, June 30.

“The Hichem Khalfa Quartet will unveil their second album on July 3rd before departing on a European tour. This is a pure jazz quartet with influences from Eastern, African rock and hip-hop music all in a jazz format.” July 3 at L’Astral.

“Parlor Social is a neo-ragtime ensemble well worth seeing. Ric’key Pageot is also Madonna’s pianist when he’s not performing with his wife Dessy Di Lauro in parlor Social.” Saturday, July 8 at L’Astral.

Jazz Festival

Bobby Bazini

“We had an idea of inviting some musicians to play something that had a big influence on them. It’s titled Re-Creation and we’re doing this is the Cinquieme Salle – an intimate performance space.  Misc will revisit the music of James Blake on July 1. On July 2, John Roney will re-create Keith Jarrett’s 1975 Koln Concert, which went on to sell 3.5 million albums of the live recording. Guitarist Jesse McCormack will channel the music of Chicago bluesman, Muddy Waters on July 3rd.”

“Bobby Bazini is coming back to play Salle Wilfrid Pelletier on July 7. The Barr Brothers will perform with musicians from Mali in a special one-off concert, at Theatre Maisonneuve on July 7.”

For tickets and more information, please visit: www.montrealjazzfest.com.

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