Audience members take in a set by the jazz-friendly indie-rock band alt-J at the Montreal Jazz Festival on July 2 (Photo: Frederique Menard Aubin) This year, the pop contingent expanded to comprise artists from hip-hop and electronica, which meant that rock icons like Bryan Adams, Peter Frampton and Allan Parsons shared space in the lineup with eccentric indie-rockers alt-J and electronics artist Nick Murphy, formerly known as Chet Faker. Historically, those have included Aretha Franklin, Erykah Badhu, Ian Anderson and Stevie Wonder.
But from the very beginning, it has also served as a showcase for jazz-adjacent rock and R&B acts. Makaya McCraven performs at Gesu on June 30 as part of the 2019 Montreal Jazz Festival (Photo: Frederique Menard-Aubin)įounded in 1979 by André Ménard and Alain Simard, the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, as it is officially known, has played host to a number of jazz greats throughout the years, from Miles Davis to Ella Fitzgerald to Herbie Hancock. It was a case of the festival’s past running square up against its future, and it was one of many threshold moments that populated the 2019 edition, during which genres and generations collided to thrilling effect. Such things are bound to happen when a festival as prestigious as this one advances into its golden years, while at the same time promoting an open-armed attitude toward young jazz pioneers like the 35-year-old McCraven. The fest was celebrating its 40th anniversary, and McCraven philosophized on the scope of that achievement: “The Montreal Jazz Fest turns 40 this year?” he mused. (Photo: Alexanne Brisson)Īddressing the audience midway through his set at the 2019 Montreal Jazz Festival, which ran from June 26 through July 6, rising star drummer Makaya McCraven took a moment to reflect on his place in time. The Australian electronics artist Nick Murphy, formerly known as Chet Faker, performs at the 2019 Montreal Jazz Festival on July 2.
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