Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan

The refurbished building that houses the permanent headquarters of the Festival, Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan, has become a rich and diversified magnet for jazz devotees and music enthusiasts. In addition to the Festival press room, the building has several other attractions.

A notable new addition to the Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan is Bell L’Expo Des Légendes du Festival, a permanent interactive exhibition that is free all year to the public. The exhibition features posters, photographs, costumes, instruments, and other memorabilia from the personal collections of Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Oliver Jones, Oscar Peterson, Diana Krall, Dave Brubeck, Leonard Cohen, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Pat Metheny, Jeff Beck, and more. You can page from screen-to-screen in English or French to see descriptions of the various artifacts, or to watch snippets of various Festival performances. One wall has a full-length screen with scenes from Festivals throughout the years.

The new Bell L’Expo Des Légendes du Festival is a wonderful complement to La Médiathèque Jazz/La Presse, a library with thousands of magazines, photos, CDs, and video recordings, including the invaluable archives of the late journalist, Len Dobbin. This extensive library is also housed in Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan. La Médiathèque Jazz/La Presse is open to the public all year, free of charge.

The press room has been renamed in honor of one of the Festival’s most loyal and esteemed friends, journalist Michael Bourne. This gesture of recognition was given to Bourne because he has faithfully covered the Festival for 20 years on the WBGO airwaves and in the pages of Downbeat. He has also been awarded a LifePass, which gives him unlimited lifetime access to the Festival. In the history of the Festival, only five LifePasses have been awarded. Bourne expressed his appreciation for the honor and added, “Being in Montreal makes my life worth living. I’m not kidding.”

La Salle Stevie Wonder is part of the official press room during the Festival. Inaugurated at a press conference by Stevie Wonder in 2009, this 80-capacity room is used for press events, album launches, cocktail parties, and recently, to present a selection of the Festival’s past concerts.

Concert venue L’Astral is located on the ground floor of Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan. Created in 2009 by the Festival for its 30th anniversary, it will be the scene of many of the upcoming performances in the Jazz All-Year Round program (see below).

Bistro le Balmoral, a 200-capacity restaurant located adjacent to L’Astral, has delicious French-inspired cuisine, a full bar, and a new terrace. Bistro le Balmoral hosts small jazz combos throughout the year.

Right outside the doors of L’Astral, the Festival’s year-round Boutique sells souvenirs, gift certificates, clothing items, and toys. The Boutique also carries limited-edition silkscreens by Diane Dufresne, Yves Archambault (the Festival’s Artist in Residence), Frédéric Back, Miyuki Tanobe, Francis X. Pavy, Marcel Barbeau, Robert LaPalme, Lhasa De Sela, Armand Vaillancourt, Jean-Paul Riopelle, Alfred Pellan, Zilon, famed singer Tony Bennett, and legendary trumpeter Miles Davis.

Galerie Lounge TD, also located in Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan, holds the Festival’s permanent collection of original artwork and silkscreens. On the Festival’s website, the motto of the art gallery is, “If music is a universal language for the ear, painting is just so for the eye.” The Galerie Lounge TD is proud to present Riff de Guit, a limited-edition silkscreen, numbered and signed by artist and singer-songwriter Richard Séguin. Singer, actress, and painter Diane Dufresne, creator of the painting Les triplettes de Montréal, will have an exhibition from August 16 to October 7.  Marcel Barbeau, the Montreal-born artist who has lived and worked all over the world, will have his art displayed at Galerie Lounge TD from October 25 to December 23.

The Festival has a program called Jazz All-Year Round, and in the next few months, the following artists will be appearing in various Festival venues: Nils Petter Molvaer on September 6 and 7; Elisabeth Kontomanou with Geri Allen on September 8;  Bob Walsh September 28;  An Acoustic Evening with Ben Harper on October 1; Wax Tailor on October 10; Chick Corea with Gary Burton and the Harlem String Quartet on October 13; Colin James on October 13; Eleni Mandell on October 18; Paolo Fresu and Omar Sosa on October 20; Erik Truffaz on October 25; Marc Copland and Gary Peacock on October 26; Guy Bélanger on October 27; Harry Manx on November 16; The Django Reinhardt Allstars on November 21 and 22; Susie Arioli on November 22; Gilberto Gil on November 23; Emilie-Claire Barlow on November 23; Jesse Cook on November 29; Carol Welsman on November 30; and Kim Churchill on December 4. The concerts continue in 2013 with Ladysmith Black Mambazo on February 2; The John Scofield Trio with Scott Colley and Bill Stewart on February 12 and 13, and Eric Bibb with Habib Koité on March 1. The wonderfully diverse line-up of the Jazz All-Year Round series is an excellent example of the music that is flourishing beyond the boundaries of the summer Festival. 

For more information about the all the activities at Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan, including the Festival’s Jazz All Year Round series, go to www.montrealjazzfest.com.

Les vendredis Jazz

On June 29, there was a special edition of Les vendredis Jazz, a monthly jazz party held in Madeleine and Ken Murphy’s beautiful and intimate party room, L’Espace 64.   They welcomed saxophonist, flutist, and composer Greg Abate (sometimes called “The Prince of Bebop”), along with drummer Yves Jacques, bassist Éric Lagacé, and pianist Marc-Étienne Savage. The atmosphere was wonderful on the mild summer evening, and the delectable spread of food was almost too gorgeous to touch, but that didn’t stop anyone! Most of the attendees ate on the outdoor terrace before coming inside for the concert.

The Greg Abate Quartet got off to a swinging start with “Star Eyes,” then slowed down with a moving interpretation of “I Can’t Get Started.” The quartet then did a red-hot version of “All the Things You Are” that really got the crowd going, and followed up with classics “Take Five” and “Take the ‘A’ Train.” After a break for dessert and coffee, the quartet returned with an unexpected addition. Caramel, a Shetland sheepdog, was nestled comfortably onstage, and her presence surprised and delighted the audience. Caramel sat calmly through “A Foggy Day”  and “One for the Road,” an original Afro-Cuban number. Caramel belongs to bass player Éric Lagacé, who later explained her good behavior, saying, “She knows when I’m working.” The adorable canine jazz fan chilled during the rest of the set, until the quartet closed with Charlie Parker’s “Confirmation.”

Les vendredis Jazz continues monthly throughout the rest of the year, and it is a fantastic bargain. For around $25.00, you get an entire evening of entertainment, including live music, snacks and beverages, and lovely atmosphere. The attendees also get a chance to meet and mingle with the musicians after the show.  In the coming months, the following artists will appear: pianist John Roney on August 31; double bassist Frédéric Alarie on September 28; The Alexandre Côté Quartet on October 26; and saxophonist François D’Amour with a tribute to Cannonball Adderley on November 30. For more information on Les vendredis Jazz, send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call Madeleine Murphy at 514-397-0430.

Montreal Jazz Clubs

Upstairs Jazz Bar and Grill is a local favorite. In addition to hosting some of the events of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, the club features jazz seven nights a week, with a different theme every day. Dièse Onze, a sleek, intimate bistro with superb cuisine, spotlights a “Marquee Artist of the Month.” House of Jazz, formerly owned by the late bassist Charlie Biddle, has received some mixed reviews since the new ownership took over, but it is still considered one of Montreal’s premier jazz clubs. Le Gainzbar, a friendly, well-appointed spot on Plaza St-Hubert, presents jazz from Sunday to Thursday. At Modavie, enjoy a Mediterranean gastronomic experience, while listening to jazz in intimate surroundings. Le Piano Rouge in Old Montreal is a small jazz venue with gorgeous décor, Caribbean and Cajun food, friendly service and reasonable prices. Griffintown Café is a down-to-earth spot with jazz on Thursdays and blues on Fridays. These clubs are just the tip of the iceberg, and for more information on jazz hotspots in Montreal, go to www.sortiesjazznights.com.

Sightseeing

Montreal is a wonderfully diverse, exciting city to visit. In addition to all the music and special events at the Festival venues, and the monthly Les vendredis Jazz, there’s a lot to do in the city. You can walk along the revitalized waterfront and talk into the Silophone, and shop in the charming shops of the cobblestone-laden Old Montreal. You can go to the top of Mont-Royal, which offers a stunning panoramic view of the city. Mont-Royal is also the location of Tam Tams, the popular free drum jam that takes place on Sunday afternoons from May to October. Visit one of the great outdoor markets, like Marché Atwater and Marché Jean-Talon. Walk through Little Burgundy, the birthplace of revered Canadian pianist Oscar Peterson. Take a free guided tour of Hôtel de Ville de Montréal, the magnificent City Hall.  No matter what time of year you go to Montreal, you will find an abundance of live jazz, art, and other activities that will entertain, educate, and enthrall!