For 12 years now, the downtown district of Mont-Tremblant has swayed to the sounds of the country’s best jazz groups. Twelve years of enchantment, surprises and aural happiness for the festival goers who gather in the heart of our town.

The event, a must of the Laurentians’ cultural summer, will take place this year from July 31 to August 4 and will feature more than 150 artists performing in eight series of concerts which add up to 50 free shows.

Eight series of concerts. That’s how Luc Hamel, president and director of Festi Jazz Mont-Tremblant, describes his festival’s polished program. The phrase is also worth remembering to get the most out of this 100 per cent jazz event.

Are you more the Jazz manouche type or Jazz relève? Do you feel more “Lounge Jazz” at 3 p.m. or “Cocktail Jazz” at 5 p.m.? Or maybe you prefer an evening ambience when the Jazz Extra and Jazz sous les étoiles – Jazz under the stars – will enthrall fans in front of the big stage from 8 p.m. Many festival goers just decide to stay on-site from 11 a.m. till 11 p.m. for the whole five days of Festi Jazz.

After all, it’s free, it’s excellent, and it would be a shame to miss anything.

To these series, you can add the Festi Jams every evening at 10:45 p.m. as well as the Jazz Club, which presents a different program every day at eight different off-site locations.

Jazz Lounge during the day

Rencontre et classes de maîtres — 11 a.m.

On July 31, saxophonist Benjamin Deschamps will get the ball rolling, followed by saxophonist Samuel Blais on August 1. On August 2, it’s pianist Félix Stüssi, followed by drummer Paul Brochu on August 3, and then by bassist Alain Caron on August 4.

Midi Jazz Manouche Series — 12 noon

The musical soundtrack for lunch will be provided by the trio featuring singer Suzi Silva.

Jazz Relève Series — 1:15 p.m. – the next generation

On Wednesday, July 31, there’ll be the Jérémie Dallaire Trio. The folllowing day, the Hoy Trio. On Friday, August 2, the Andrei Dinu quartet and on Saturday, August 3, the Nicolas Villeneuve Quintet. Lastly, on Sunday, the Simon Brousseau Quartet will wind up the series.

Jazz Lounge Series — 3 p.m.

On Wednesday, July 31, the Rémi-Jean Leblanc Quartet will launch this series, followed by the Frank Lozano Trio on Thursday, and then by Folégo (Brazilian jazz and samba) on Friday.

On Saturday, guitarist Annam Nguyen will present his second album, with flavours of funk and fusion jazz, and on Sunday, Yvan Belleau Quartet will interpret the compositions from his album Clair et nette (Clear and clean)

Jazz Apéro Series — 5 p.m. —Jazz Apéro Stage (opposite Saint-Jovite  church)

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, cocktail hour will be jazzed up by Suzi Silva accompanied by José Brites on guitar and by Jean-Sébastien Clément on double bass.

Big stage

Jazz Extra Promutuel Assurance Boréale Series — 8 p.m.

On Wednesday, July 31, saxophonist Benjamin Deschamps, who was named Révélation Radio-Canada Jazz 2017-2018, will present his most recent compositions.

On Thursday, talented saxophone player Samuel Blais in trio will be followed on Friday by one of the rising stars of jazz guitar in Canada, Sam Kirmayer. On Saturday, the Jean-François Groulx Trio will present works from their album Spirale. To wind up this terrific series, Festi Jazz will welcome pianist Gentiane Michaud-Gagnon, named Révélation Jazz Radio-Canada 2018-2019.

Jazz sous les étoiles Series — 9 p.m.

On Wednesday, July 31, the opening concert will feature none other than singer-pianist Elizabeth Shepherd in the group Quintet. She is the only female jazz singer awarded a Polaris, which is Canada’s most prestigious musical award.

On Thursday, August 1, excellent flautist François Richard will present pieces from his most recent album, Libération. On Friday, presented in collaboration with Tremblant Express, the Jazzlab Orchestra Quintessence will electrify the rue de Saint-Jovite with the music of pianist Félix Stüssi.

Great event of this 12th Festi Jazz: virtuoso reunion

On Saturday, August 3, Festi Jazz will welcome Coral Egan, Alain Caron, Yannick Rieu, Paul Brochu and Daniel Thouin in a tribute to Chick Corea.

Lastly, on Sunday, August 4, the septet featuring Cuban pianist Julian Antonio Gutierrez will present the closing concert.

jazztremblant.com