Montreal International Jazz Festival Announces All-Year Program

By I Feb. 12, 2002

The International Montreal Jazz Festival has unveiled the second portion of its 2001-’02 Jazz All-Year Round Series. This special programming headlines American, South American and European artists on the jazz, blues, electronica and world beat, along with providing an exceptional showcase for local musicians.

Kicking off the series on March 15 at the Metropolis is a double bill featuring of B.B King and Diana Krall, who will be accompanied by the Orchestre metropolitain du Grand Montreal.

The Herbie Hancock Future2Future project will take the Metropolis stage on March 24. Hancock, along with trumpeter Wallace Roney, will blend a unique fusion of electronica, hip-hop and world beat rhythms.

French trumpeter Erik Truffaz will headline the Spectrum on April 30. Truffaz will feature the work from his latest album, Mantis, accompanied by Manu Codjia on guitar and Phillippe Garcia on drums.

Serving as a springboard for local musicians, the Festival serves as an excellent opportunity to bring local and original talent to its audience. Starting with the premiere event, Montreal sax player Yannick Rieu will officially launch his Non Acoustic Project on Tuesday, April 2 at the Spectrum. Playing together for the first time, Montreal drummer Bernard Primeau and British Columbian pianist Hugh Fraser, accompanied by the Montreal Jazz Ensemble string quartet on April 16, at the Maison de la culture Frontenac.

For complete Jazz All-Year Round concert information, call the Info-Jazz Bell Line at (514) 871-1881 or toll free at 1-888-515-0515. For those interested in taking part in several of the 19 concerts offered throughout the winter/spring 2002 season, the Festival offers three packages with discounts up to 33 percent off regular ticket prices. All single tickets for the International Montreal Jazz Festival are on sale now and available for purchase at the Spectrum de Montreal box office or via www.spectrumdemontreal.ca.