The 30th Montreal Jazz Festival will be held from June 30th to July 12th, 2009. Officially named “Le Festival International de Jazz de Montreal,” it is one of the largest and most respected music festivals in the world.

The Festival always features an amazing array of music, from homegrown jazz to jazz-influenced sounds from all over the world, and this year is no exception. Whether you want to see big acts or small, renowned or up-and-coming artists, salsa, New Orleans jazz, hip hop, electro-jazz, soul, fusion, bossa nova, or blues, from about noon until past midnight every day, there will be something for almost every musical taste. One of the greatest things about the Festival is that you can spend as little or as much as your budget will allow, since all of the outdoor venues are FREE.

(Ornette Coleman-Sax)

This year, the Festival will open with a free outdoor concert by the legendary music giant Stevie Wonder. This concert will take place on June 30th at 9:30 p.m. on the General Motors stage. Stevie Wonder will also be receiving the Montreal Jazz Festival Spirit Award. Other honorees who will be receiving prizes include Toots & the Maytals, John Pizzarelli, Ornette Coleman, and Susie Arioli.

Also, a new award has been created to honor those non-musicians that have made significant contributions to the music world, through records, media, or performance venues. It will be called the Bruce Lundvall Award, and its namesake will be the first recipient. He has been the president of the premiere EMI Music label Blue Note for more than a quarter century.

There will be performances by Tony Bennett, Wayne Shorter, Joe Cocker, Joshua Redman, Dave Brubeck, Oliver Jones, the duo of Molly Johnson and Al Jarreau, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, both Wynton and Branford Marsalis with their respective groups, George Wein and the Newport All-Stars, the Brian Setzer Orchestra, and the Harlem Gospel Choir, just to name a few. There will also be a tribute to the late Miles Davis by Kenny Garrett and guest artists.

In honor of the Festival’s landmark 30th year, the organizers are planning a big bash to commemorate the occasion. The new Maison du Festival de Jazz will be unveiled, a project that organizers have been working on for over a decade. It will be a permanent concert venue where fans can hear jazz musicians all year long, and will include a hall of fame and an exhibition center.

To add to the charm of the Festival, the people of Montreal are very friendly and welcoming. Most speak English, although it helps to learn a few phrases of French if you plan to visit. If you love jazz and world music of all kinds, you should start planning your trip to Montreal to enjoy this world-famous and diverse festival.

Go to www.montrealjazzfest.com for more information.

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