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Post by jo on Mar 3, 2007 8:27:31 GMT -6
Well, July is shaping up to be a musical month for us. We're going to see the Police on the 26th and this morning, we bought tickets to see Buddy Guy and George Thorogood & the Destroyers (on the same bill!) for the 7th.
Guy & Thorogood are part of this year's lineup for the Montreal Jazz Festivel, which runs for 10 days in early July. If any of you are looking for an excuse to visit Montreal, this would be a great one. Part of downtown Montreal is closed off and there are about 6-8 stages erected outside, which become venues for free outdoor concerts throughout the festival. In addition,you can buy tickets for some of the best names in jazz, blues and fusion. The festival itself is free and you can walk around, listen to music, drink beer and just people watch as over 1 million people come to the festival over its 10 day run. There are more than 400 concerts available during the festival and it is truly one of the highlights of summer in Montreal. Come on down and see what the fuss is all about!!
Jo
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Post by Liz of Chris & Liz on Mar 4, 2007 21:22:29 GMT -6
We may just join you for the MJF. We'll see how our Long Island 4th of July trip shapes up!!!
Hugs, Liz
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Post by jo on Mar 5, 2007 11:55:28 GMT -6
Yahoo, I'll keep my fingers crossed!!
JO
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Post by Chicago Jake on Mar 5, 2007 23:55:38 GMT -6
Sounds fun! George T. and Buddy Guy are both great, but I'd hardly call them "jazz." I take it that the jazz festival has a wide variety of musical styles?......Jake
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Post by jo on Mar 6, 2007 6:33:51 GMT -6
Good observation, Jake...............that has been a complaint of jazz purists over the years, that the festival has gotten away from its pure jazz roots. You will find almost any type of music there, blues, fusion, soul, rock, etc...................We've seen George Benson and BB King on the same bill and some of the big names that have appeared in the last 27 years include Pat Metheney, Winston Marsalis, Diana Krall, Paul Simon, Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck, Ray Charles and many others.
But for Den and I, the fun is not going to any of the big-name paying concerts (I think this is only the 3rd time we've bought advance tickets for anything) but in just looking at the choices of free concerts each day and deciding what we're in the mood to listen to that day or night. There are hundred's of free concerts throughout the festival and artists from all over the world come to play, so we've seen Brazalian salsa, Irish blues, African fusion, American rockabilly and everything in between. It really is a great event and one of the best times to visit Montreal.
Jo
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Post by Liz of Chris & Liz on Mar 6, 2007 8:40:02 GMT -6
It's often the same for the NO Jazz & Hertiage Fest (back in the day, at least). You could pay big bucks for the big names, but often you'd wander around the track & WOW....there is Bonnie Raitt up on the big screen singing with BB King or wow.....it's Phish! They showcased a variety of music at the "Jazz Fest" ... had different stages for different types of music. We always loved hearing the Cajun, Jazz & Blues artists best.....they had a huge line up of folks & lots of big names in every category...but there would always be a few walk ons & that was a hoot! They'd always have a featured country too & we saw some fabulous African artists (from a variety of countries that may or may not exist with the same name now!).
Chris is a bit of a purist when it comes to Jazz too....but we do love a good excuse for free concerts of all types & of course....visiting Jo & Den!
Hugs, Liz
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Post by jo on Apr 12, 2008 7:54:16 GMT -6
Well, this year's edition is shaping up quite nicely. We've got tickets to see Steely Dan (their first time in Montreal) on July 1. Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, Woody Allen (!), Leonard Cohen (very big in Canada, maybe not so much in the US, he sold out 3 concerts in 1 day), Chick Corea, Glen Miller and Tommy Dorsey Orchestras and many more will be at the festival, which runs June 26 to July 6.
I know I keep repeating myself, but this really is one of the best times to visit Montreal.
Jo (Go Habs Go!!!!!)
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Apr 12, 2008 16:05:47 GMT -6
Woody Allen isn't a big surprise to me because he's played with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in New Orleans and with a couple of different Jazz groups here in NYC. He used to play with a group at Michael's Pub in Manhattan on Monday nights, but I believe that place closed down a while ago, so I'm not exactly sure where he's playing these days, but I *believe* he used to play clarinet (although I may be wrong on that).
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Post by jo on Apr 13, 2008 8:30:06 GMT -6
BB, I knew that Woody Allen played clarinet (I believe he was playing with his band on the night he won the Academy Award for Annie Hall), I was just surprised that he would tour and come to Montreal for the festival. From what I've heard, he's pretty reclusive , so that's what my exclamation point was for (top of the muffin to YOU!!)
You should so come to Montreal during this time, I think you would really like it, same with Gary and Geri and anyone who is within driving distance and loves music.
Jo (Go, Habs, Go)
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Post by guest canuck on Apr 18, 2008 6:32:10 GMT -6
Well, this year's edition is shaping up quite nicely. We've got tickets to see Steely Dan (their first time in Montreal) on July 1. Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, Woody Allen (!), Leonard Cohen (very big in Canada, maybe not so much in the US, he sold out 3 concerts in 1 day), Chick Corea, Glen Miller and Tommy Dorsey Orchestras and many more will be at the festival, which runs June 26 to July 6. I know I keep repeating myself, but this really is one of the best times to visit Montreal. Jo (Go Habs Go!!!!!) I first noticed this years festival when I got the Steely Dan notification......seem them many times and then noticed Aretha. That would be quite the good time, along with all the other great acts, of course. Hey Jo, how is this set up? We were in Montreal last year and I got the idea that there is a lot of stuff set up in the streets but I could be totally wrong on that. HedoCanucks |
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Post by jo on Apr 18, 2008 11:17:24 GMT -6
There are 5-6 outdoor stages built over about 10 city blocks in downtown Montreal. They block off the streets and it is one huge-ass party for 2 weeks. Lots of free outdoor concerts from morning till night and the big names play all over the city at indoor clubs and arenas. check out www.montrealjazzfest.com for a full list of who's playing and some pictures of the sites. It is the biggest outdoor party of the year with millions of people attending in the 2 week period. Definitely our favourite time to go to Montreal (although I'm there almost every weekend,either to see family or shop) Jo (Go, Habs, Go) |
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Post by DT on Apr 19, 2008 18:29:09 GMT -6
Thanks for the link jo, I love music festivals, with Milwaukee summerfest being my favorite. (I go every year) www.summerfest.com/ |
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