Montreal Jazz Fest 2016: Rufus Wainwright, Lauryn Hill top lineup
Indoor program announced for 37th edition of festival
The Montreal International Jazz Festival's lineup of indoor shows and events at Quartier des Spectacles includes an eclectic mix of artists, many of whom have played the festival before.
The festival announced its indoor lineup Tuesday morning.
American jazz singer and Montreal favourite Melody Gardot opens the festival with two shows featuring her new album Currency of Man at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier.
Rufus Wainwright has a symphonic moment with video to show off some of the songs from his opera Prima Donna.
Lauryn Hill is back after a 14-year absence for two shows, as well.
Guy Nadon at 83
The lineup also features Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir and the 53rd appearance of 83-year-old Montreal drummer Guy Nadon.
Jazz musicians Chick Corea, Marcus Miller and Steve Coleman will also be at the festival.
Discoveries: Ala. Ni, Terrace Martin
There are discoveries like veteran programmer Laurent Saulnier's favourite Ala.Ni, a British singer who's been singing backup for Mary J. Blige.
"She's really something else," said Saulnier. "She sang here last year, and everyone had goosebumps."
Also in the "discovery" category is hip hop producer Terrace Martin. Martin is best known for his work with Kendrick Lamar on his album Pimp My Butterfly.
"He's a brand new name on the hip hop scene," says Saulnier. His show in Montreal will be one of Martin's first live appearances.
Le Balcon
For fans of solo piano, the festival has set up a new stage, Le Balcon, with an acoustic piano in the centre and the audience in the round.
Montreal composer Alexandra Stréliski says she looks forward to taking her music for films to that stage.
Stréliski has just synched one of her songs in the latest Jean-Marc Vallée movie Demolition.
The 37th edition will kick off on June 29 and wrap on July 9.
For the full list of bands and schedule of events, see the Montreal International Jazz Festival's website.