Jul 17, 2025 12:44 PM
DownBeat’s 73rd Annual Critics Poll: One for the Record Books
You see before you what we believe is the largest and most comprehensive Critics Poll in the history of jazz. DownBeat…
Jazz will be more prominent than ever on both indoor and outdoor stages at this year’s Montreal Jazz Festival.
(Photo: Victor Diaz Lamich)Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, presented by TD Bank Group in collaboration with Rio Tinto in downtown Montreal’s Quartier des Spectacles, has announced the full lineup of artists who will be performing at this summer’s 43rd edition, which takes place June 29–July 8.
Over the course of 10 days, world-renowned artists including Buddy Guy, Diana Krall, Chucho Valdéz, Vijay Iyer & Shahzad Ismaily, Robert Plant & Alison Krause, Brad Mehldau, Anouar Brahem, Melody Gardot, Herbie Hancock and George Benson will rub shoulders with jazz’s rising stars, sometimes even sharing the same stage.
Many established artists will be performing at the festival for the first time, and jazz will be more prominent than ever on both indoor and outdoor festival stages. A total of 350 concerts will be presented, and more than two-thirds of the are free-admission.
“It sounds cliché in the festival world, but it’s worth saying because it’s so true: We are incredibly proud to present a truly balanced program that is jam packed with gems,” said Maurin Auxéméry, the new director of the FIJM programming. “With the full backing of the big festival family, each member of the programming team passionately defends their vision of jazz, which has sparked engaging discussions and a program that embodies what the genre is today. Jazz from the 21st century is changing and mutating, drawing on other musical styles, and our programming reflects this refreshing change. Jazz lovers are becoming more diversified, new generations are tuning in, and we couldn’t be happier.”
Paid concert tickets will go on sale Thursday, April 6 at 10 a.m., and newsletter subscribers will enjoy an exclusive access to a presale on Wednesday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. To view the complete lineup of performers, visit the festival’s website. DB
James Brandon Lewis earned honors for Artist of the Year and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year. Three of his recordings placed in the Albums of the Year category.
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