From August 3 to 7, downtown Mont- Tremblant will sway to the rhythms of more than 50 free jazz concerts, 166 artists, seven series and five master classes on three outdoor stages and seven partner sites.

THE PROGRAM

Encounters – 11 a.m. – Jazz Lounge stage

These special times, held daily, when the artists chat with the public, launch the day’s festivities in a friendly atmosphere. On Wednesday, August 3, bass player Olivier Babaz will start off the encounters, followed by guitarist Greg Amirault (August 4), pianist Taurey Butler (August 5), bassist Sylvain Bolduc (August 6) and lastly, pianist and singer Carole Welsman, Sunday, August 7.

New talents – 1 p.m. – Jazz Lounge stage

Singer songwriter Sophianne Girard and her ensemble will open this series on Wednesday, August 3. On Thursday, August 4, saxophone player Lucas Dubrovnik will present his compositions. On Friday, August 5, the excellent Levi Dover Quintet will be onstage and on Saturday, August 6, it will be the Gabriel Genest Quintet. Lastly, on Sunday, August 7, the Reddy- Anctil Trio will wind up this daily series.

Jazz Lounge series – 3 p.m. – Jazz Lounge

On Wednesday, August 3, talented bass player Alex Lefaivre will present his own compositions and pieces from his repertoire to launch the series.

Thursday, August 4 — Michel Donato — Simply Jazz. Does Michel Donato, internationally known bass player, really need an introduction? With his 80th birthday fast approaching, Michel Donato, loyal spokesperson for Festi Jazz since 2015, will be on-site throughout the festival and will present a concert accompanied by his acolytes Robert Ménard (guitar) and Michel Dubeau (tenor saxophone).

Friday, August 5, Valérie Lacombe, newcomer to the world of jazz, will present her own compositions and a few revisited repertoire pieces. A discovery!

On Saturday, August 6, the sextet RC Sextette will present a homage to the music of drummer Art Blakey’s group The Jazz Messengers. You’ll be transported to the heart of the ‘50s when hardbop, characterized by dynamic jazz merged with bop, gospel and blues, was the “groovy” sound.

On Sunday, August 7, well-known bass player Fraser Hollins will have us discovering his new compositions to wind up the musical afternoons.

Jazz Apéro series — 5 p.m.— Espace publique

At the cocktail hour, the public is invited to move across the street to hear the series of concerts in the Espace publique featuring various trios who visit the jazz mainstream.

Jazz Extra series —7 p.m. — Main stage

On Wednesday, August 2, bass player and composer Olivier Babaz invites internationally famous guitarist Michel Cusson to join him.

On Thursday, August 4, excellent guitarist Greg Amirault invites us to discover his compositions and a few repertoire pieces as he interprets them.

On Friday, August 5, singer-songwriter Sonia Johnson revisits Ella Fitzgerald’s repertoire.

On Saturday, August 6, Olivier Grenier- Bédard, a guitarist from the Laurentians, presents his most recent project, Oli Astral.

On Sunday, August 7, Jean-Michel Pilc, a French pianist who’s very active internationally, reveals his passion for improvisation.

Jazz Beneath the Stars series – 9 p.m. — Main stage

Wednesday, August 3 – Deschamps Big Band plays Thad Jones. Composer and saxophone player Benjamin Deschamps has gathered some of Quebec’s best musicians to present a concert in homage to American trumpet player, composer and arranger Thad Jones. It’ll swing!

On Thursday, August 4, composer/guitarist Carlos Jiménez presents the music from his latest opus, Don’t Fall.

Friday, August 5 – Taurey Butler Trio. Originally from East Orange, New Jersey, and inspired by Oscar Peterson, Taurey Butler has worked at New York’s legendary Cotton Club and presented concerts in a variety of famous places and festivals.

Saturday, August 6 — Major 15th birthday event — Carol Welsman Quartet. With 13 albums to her credit, the singer-pianist from Toronto, Carol Welsman, has played and sung with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Gordon Lightfoot and Herbie Hancock (duo). Welsman is also a prolific composer and her songs have been recorded by artists such as Ray Charles and Chrissy Hinde. Fabulous concert ahead!

Sunday, August 7 – Closing concert – First Circle – Homage to Pat Metheny. To close the five days of festivities, Festi Jazz presents a concert in homage to prolific American guitarist Pat Metheny, put together by First Circle. The nine musicians onstage will take the audience back to the ‘80s and ‘90s. This unique, emotional show should be thoroughly enjoyed by unconditional fans and music lovers of all ages.

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