The Montreal International Jazz Festival (FIJM), a must-see event on the global scene, has just unveiled the complete program for its 46th edition. From June 25 to July 4, 2026, the Quebec metropolis will come alive with more than 350 concerts.
A Centenary of Giants: Miles, Coltrane, and Bennett Honored
The year 2026 marks a historic milestone: the 100th birth anniversary of three jazz pillars born in 1926. The Festival will pay a vibrant tribute to them. The legendary bassist Marcus Miller will celebrate his former mentor during the concert “We Want Miles” at the Maison Symphonique. The work of John Coltrane will also be revisited with a complete interpretation of the masterpiece “A Love Supreme” by Isaiah Collier, while John Pizzarelli will revive the vocal elegance of Tony Bennett.
TD Stage: Big Names and Free Concerts Events
The heart of the festival will beat with a special fervor at the Place des Festivals. Among the most anticipated moments, the return of the enigmatic duo Angine de Poitrine promises a memorable performance on the TD Stage. The unmissable Patrick Watson will bring his dreamy magic as part of his “Uh Oh” tour, while the international stage will be represented by R&B-soul sensation Willow (daughter of Will Smith) and the blues-rock virtuosos Larkin Poe. Fusion will also be honored with the return of the London group KOKOROKO and the futuristic energy of Smino.
Reinventing Heritage: From UZEB to the New Generation
The festival not only looks back at the past; it celebrates the current vitality of the genre. The 50th anniversary of the cult group UZEB will be marked by the premiere of the documentary “UZEB en fusion” and performances by Alain Caron and Michel Cusson. Meanwhile, the FIJM shines a light on the faces of tomorrow like the Indian prodigy of the bass Mohini Dey, the Franco-American duo DOMi & JD BECK, or the neo-bossa artist Mei Semones. Whether it’s the orchestral jazz of Annahstasia or the afrobeat groove of Nubiyan Twist, the next generation proves that the jazz genealogy continues to flourish.
Exceptional Meetings Beyond the Walls
Beyond the outdoor stages, the great Montreal halls will host moments of pure anthological. The Bell Center will turn into a giant dance floor with the performance of Lionel Richie accompanied by the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire. For Latin rhythms enthusiasts, the salsa orchestra El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico promises a volcanic evening at the Wilfrid-Pelletier Hall. As programming director Maurin Auxéméry highlights, this edition is “a testimony to the vitality of a genre that continues to redefine itself.”
