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Montreal Gazette
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Montreal Gazette
Dunlevy: Esperanza Spalding wraps 45th Montreal jazz fest with a breathtaking bang
It was a perfect night for a perfect end to the 45th Montreal International Jazz Festival. And it wrapped up in style with one of the genre's preeminent talents, Grammy-winning American jazz bassist, singer and composer Esperanza Spalding. As programming director Maurin Auxéméry reminded the audience beforehand, Spalding had not performed at the festival in several years. A quick Google search traced her last performance in our city back to — could it be? — 2013. Putting her on the main stage on the final evening was a generous gift to fans and curiosity-seekers alike. 'It's pretty cool the jazz festival got her here for us to listen to, for free — it's amazing,' said Teo Spencer, 37, based in Montreal, but originally from Vermont. 'She's politically informed,' he said of Spalding. 'She understands the jazz canon and can subvert it when she wants to. She's playing an interesting game and playing it well.' With him was Avery Shoemaker, 29, originally from Minneapolis. The two had been sharing their appreciation of the jazz fest as a symbol of all that Canada has to offer in these turbulent times. 'We've been talking about public good, art being celebrated and beautiful things provided to people for free that you can just show up and enjoy,' Shoemaker said. Jan Lawrence had been showing and enjoying the offerings on the jazz festival's free stages all week. The Tampa native caught three to four concerts a night for seven nights straight. Among her highlights were New Orleans showman Trombone Shorty, Nashville-based Montreal native Allison Russell, and Arkansas-born, Chicago-based queer singer-rapper Wic Whitney. 'It's been phenomenal, considering it's all free,' Lawrence said. 'The people, the atmosphere, and the quality of the shows — I would definitely do it again. It's so easy navigating the site, so clean for such a big event, and everything starts on time.' With her was Montrealer Peter King, who accurately called the festival 'one of the highlights of summer' in the city. It was a week of unpredictable weather and memorable performances. Among this critic's standouts were the opening free outdoor concert by soul legend Mavis Staples; Canadian country-rock heroes Blue Rodeo bringing the hits on the first Friday night; New York rapper Nas performing his classic 1994 debut Illmatic with an orchestra of Montreal musicians; actor Jeff Goldblum telling stories and playing piano for an enrapt crowd at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier; Brazilian jazz fusion throwbacks Azymuth jamming up a storm; Montrealers Russell and Men I Trust, the former in an impassioned homecoming and the latter casting a spell after thunder and lightning delayed their set by 30 minutes while a massive crowd of diehard fans stuck it out; Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr turning the festival grounds into one big pop party; and 101-year-old saxophonist Marshall Allen leading the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra. And then there was Spalding. A musical phenomenon, she sang, played and bantered with the crowd, exuding joy, mischief and a strong moral compass. She opened not on bass, but on piano, pounding out a barrage of dissonant chords on I Want It Now as she listed behaviours we could do without in this world, 'all kinds of things that need to be burned up to invite you into the beautiful, loving things that inspire.' An informal poll conducted by this reporter earlier in the evening found many in attendance did not know Spalding's music, but it didn't take her long to pull everyone on board. People cheered as she started to sing in astonishingly nimble fashion while her fingers fluttered across her bass on I Know You Know, off her self-titled second album, from 2008. This was jazz of the highest order — challenging, yet accessible, eminently entertaining and arrestingly beautiful. Goosebumps were felt. Two modern dancers joined her on stage throughout the evening, enhancing the craft of the songs with evocative choreographies that tapped into other levels of perception. Her voice soared, loud and clear, far and wide on Touch In Mind near set's end, eliciting a roar from the audience. And that was the impressive thing on this perfect night. As out-there and otherworldly as Spalding got, people followed her every step of the way. She closed the 90-minute performance with her rousing, rootsy 2018 ode to Black men, Black Gold, and a wish 'that one day this song won't be necessary.' When she introduced her band, after, then introduced herself, a heartfelt cheer erupted. People kept cheering, and cheering, until she came back for an encore, proving on top of closing out the 45th Montreal International Jazz Festival with a breathtaking bang, Esperanza Spalding had just made herself tens of thousands of new fans. This story was originally published July 6, 2025 at 11:31 AM.
Montreal Gazette
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Montreal Gazette
Dunlevy: Mavis Staples kicks off 45th Montreal jazz fest with a whole lotta soul
Music It was a cool night for a hot start to the 45th Montreal International Jazz Festival as Chicago soul legend Mavis Staples showed tens of thousands of music fans how it's done in the opening night free outdoor blowout. Temperatures hovered just under the 20-degree mark, which wasn't so bad, but coming off an oppressive early-summer heat wave, it felt almost like fall. That wasn't enough to stop the throngs from taking in the sights and sounds on the free stages early in the evening. Or to prevent everyone from gathering in front of the main TD stage just after sunset. Staples made her entrance just after 9:30 p.m., bringing along a lifetime of soul singing that started with her siblings when she was just a little girl. Her dad was pals with Martin Luther King, Jr., leading the family band The Staple Singers (of which she is the last surviving member) to become closely associated with the civil rights movement. 'Montreal!' Staples shouted a few songs in, to enthusiastic cheers and an impromptu call and response. 'Yeah!' she called out. 'Yeah!' the audience called back. 'Oh my,' Staples continued. 'We're so happy to be with you, so happy to see all these smiling faces. Yes indeed. I tell you, we've been trying to get here; we finally made it. Well now, we bring you greetings from the Windy City — Chicago, Ill. We've come this evening to bring you some joy, some happiness, inspiration and some positive vibrations.' She did all that and then some. It was two weeks before her 87th birthday and Staples was in fine form, and fine voice. Her trademark rasp hasn't lost any of its depth, and she let it rip on such songs as her 1996 Gospel number I'll Fly Away From Here, love jam I'm Just Another Soldier and an appropriately rugged rendition of Tom Waits's Chicago. She sounded righteous in delivering her old band's 1984 cover of Talking Heads' 1983 hit Slippery People, bringing out the song's Gospel influences without omitting its new wave edge. And she took us back to the '60s while performing the Staple Singers' downright funky 1967 version of Buffalo Springfield's 1966 peace anthem For What It's Worth. Far from mere nostalgia, Staples delivered her lines like she was belting them out for the first time — with passion and feeling. She unleashed another heartfelt 'Yeah!' at song's end. 'Y'all feel alright? Do you feel alright? OK, I feel pretty good myself.' Then came the Staple Singers' 1971 classic Respect Yourself, covered by Bruce Willis for a pop chart smash in 1986. Staples sang it with brooding purpose and Gospel-infused intensity. She took it down a notch for Friendship, her touching 2023 collaboration with Norah Jones, in the final stretch. As satisfying as her performance was, Staples left fans hanging by leaving the Staple Singers best-known song I'll Take You There off the set list. It's not like there wasn't time. The band wrapped up just shy of 10:40 p.m. The stage was booked 'till 11. It was a baffling finish to an otherwise memorable show. Earlier on, Philadelphia R&B artist Bilal exhibited his jazz chops in a far-ranging, virtuosic set on the Rogers Stage. Colombia's Balthvs had warmed up the main stage crowd with a trippy batch of psychedelic instrumental grooves; and at the corner of Jeanne-Mance and Ste-Catherine Sts., their countrymen Kombilesa Mi fused hip-hop chants with frenetic, traditional percussion to intoxicating effect. Meanwhile indoors, Mexico's Natalia Lafourcade, Montreal DJ Kid Koala, Grammy- and Pulitzer Prize-winning North Carolina multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens, Pakistani-American vocalist Arooj Aftab and American jazz freaks Clown Core held court at various venues as the jazz fest got off to a rousing start.
Ottawa Citizen
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Ottawa Citizen
Dunlevy: Mavis Staples kicks off 45th Montreal jazz fest with a whole lotta soul
Article content It was a cool night for a hot start to the 45th Montreal International Jazz Festival as Chicago soul legend Mavis Staples showed tens of thousands of music fans how it's done in the opening night free outdoor blowout. Article content Temperatures hovered just under the 20-degree mark, which wasn't so bad, but coming off an oppressive early-summer heat wave, it felt almost like fall. That wasn't enough to stop the throngs from taking in the sights and sounds on the free stages early in the evening. Or to prevent everyone from gathering in front of the main TD stage just after sunset. Article content Article content Staples made her entrance just after 9:30 p.m., bringing along a lifetime of soul singing that started with her siblings when she was just a little girl. Her dad was pals with Martin Luther King, Jr., leading the family band The Staple Singers (of which she is the last surviving member) to become closely associated with the civil rights movement. Article content Article content 'Montreal!' Staples shouted a few songs in, to enthusiastic cheers and an impromptu call and response. 'Yeah!' she called out. 'Yeah!' the audience called back. Article content 'Oh my,' Staples continued. 'We're so happy to be with you, so happy to see all these smiling faces. Yes indeed. I tell you, we've been trying to get here; we finally made it. Well now, we bring you greetings from the Windy City — Chicago, Ill. We've come this evening to bring you some joy, some happiness, inspiration and some positive vibrations.' She did all that and then some. It was two weeks before her 87th birthday and Staples was in fine form, and fine voice. Her trademark rasp hasn't lost any of its depth, and she let it rip on such songs as her 1996 Gospel number I'll Fly Away From Here, love jam I'm Just Another Soldier and an appropriately rugged rendition of Tom Waits's Chicago. Article content She sounded righteous in delivering her old band's 1984 cover of Talking Heads' 1983 hit Slippery People, bringing out the song's Gospel influences without omitting its new wave edge. Article content And she took us back to the '60s while performing the Staple Singers' downright funky 1967 version of Buffalo Springfield's 1966 peace anthem For What It's Worth. Far from mere nostalgia, Staples delivered her lines like she was belting them out for the first time — with passion and feeling. Article content She unleashed another heartfelt 'Yeah!' at song's end. 'Y'all feel alright? Do you feel alright? OK, I feel pretty good myself.'
Montreal Gazette
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Montreal Gazette
Dunlevy: 25 free shows to catch at 45th Montreal International Jazz Festival
By Montreal Gazette With 350 shows on tap, the 45th Montreal International Jazz Festival offers a panoply of mouth-watering entertainment options, June 26 to July 5. The kicker? Most of them don't cost a dime. To help get you off the couch and into the crowded downtown streets, here are 25 free concerts to catch over the next 10 days at our city's iconic summer event. THURSDAY, JUNE 26 Balthvs (June 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the TD Stage). They have been compared to trippy Texan instrumental it-band Khruangbin, but Colombia's Bathvs have their own beguiling groove. Kombilesa Mi (June 26 and 27 at 8:30 p.m. at Le Cabaret TD Assurances) (and Friday). This Afro-Colombian ensemble mixes traditional percussion with lively raps to rousing effect. Mavis Staples (Thurs., June 26 at 9:30 p.m., TD Stage). As the last living member of the Staple Singers, Mavis Staples is a soul music legend. Her father was close friends with Martin Luther King, and Bob Dylan once proposed to her. On the jazz fest's opening night, she will take you there. FRIDAY, JUNE 27 Yasmin Williams (7 p.m., Rogers Stage). North Virginia six-string virtuoso Yasmin Williams learned her instrument at 12 years old by playing Guitar Hero. She plays fingerstyle guitar, i.e. on her lap with the strings facing up, but it's her wonderfully intricate music that will win your heart. Balkan Paradise Orchestra (8 and 10 p.m., Rio Tinto Stage). This all-female Barcelona collective mixes percussion, strings, horns and synths for a festive sound at once traditional and modern. Blue Rodeo (9:30 p.m., TD Stage). Can-rock heroes play a big free show in the heart of downtown on a Friday night. What's not to like? SATURDAY, JUNE 28 Kelly Finnigan and the Atonements (7 and 9 p.m., Rogers Stage). L.A.'s Kelly Finnigan sings blue-eyed soul like he means it. He and his band the Atonements will charm you with their retro-fitted, funkafied styles. Elisapie (9:30 p.m., TD Stage). Quebec darling Elisapie takes the main stage with songs from her hit 2023 album Inuktitut, featuring breathtaking Inuk covers of '80s pop and rock classics, and from throughout her 20-year career. SUNDAY, JUNE 29 Tyreek McDole (6 p.m., Le Studio TD) If you're a sucker for jazz song with a new-school twist, Tyreek McDole is your man. The Haitian-American vocalist from Florida dropped his debut album Open Up Your Senses on June 6. Catch him while you can. PJ Morton (9:30 p.m., TD Stage). Maroon 5 keyboardist PJ Morton's latest album Cape Town to Cairo mixes Gospel, soul, funk and African influences in a multitude of fly combinations. Ghost-Note (11 p.m., Rogers Stage). Snarky Puppy drummer Robert 'Sput' Searight and percussionist Nate Werth's frenetic, psychedelic jazz-funk side-project is a voyage worth taking. MONDAY, JUNE 30 Nubya Garcia (7:30 p.m., TD Stage). With her third album, Odyssey, released last year, British jazz saxophonist Nubya Garcia continues to push the boundaries of the genre. Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue (9:30 p.m., TD Stage). New Orleans horn-man Trombone Shorty has become a jazz fest regular, and with good reason — he always brings the funky good times. TUESDAY, JULY 1 Ayra Starr (9:30 p.m., TD Stage). As a leading figure of the surging Afrobeats genre, Nigeria's Sarah Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, better known as Ayra Starr, may well deliver one of the defining moments of this year's jazz fest. Endea Owens and the Cookout (7:30 p.m., TD Stage). Detroit bassist-composer Endea Owens has toured with Wynton Marsalis, Diana Ross and Solange, and performed as part of Stephen Colbert's house band. She mixes hard bop jazz, soul, blues and gospel with style and grace. Andy Rubal (8 and 10 p.m., Rio Tinto Stage) Born in Cuba, where he began singing with the group Baby Salsa at age 6, Montrealer Andy Rubal has grown up on stage. He's got showmanship and spark, as will present tunes from his forthcoming album in his mid-festival performance. You should have comfortable footwear: there will be dancing. WEDNESDAY, JULY 2 Christine Jensen Quartet (6 p.m., Le Studio TD). Christine Jensen's lyricism is matched only by her ingenuity. The multi-Juno-winning jazz saxophonist and long-time Montrealer appears with a rock-solid quartet featuring pianist Gary Versace, bassist Adrian Vedady and drummer Jim Doxas. Men I Trust (9:30 p.m., TD Stage). Led by vocalist Emma Proulx, groovy Montreal indie trio Men I Trust knows how to set a mood. The band has released not one, but two albums this year, providing ample material to take a hometown crowd on a whole new sonic adventure. Los Bitchos (7:30 p.m., TD Stage). As their name suggests, Los Bitchos don't take themselves too seriously. The all-female British outfit features members from Australia/Turkey, Sweden and the U.K., and instrumental tracks with influences ranging from cumbia to new wave, punk and indie-rock. THURSDAY, JULY 3 Allison Russell (9:30 p.m., TD Stage). Born and raised in Montreal, Grammy-winning artist Allison Russell is now based out of Nashville. She brings soul, star power and disarming candour to her down-home brand of folk and roots rock. Do not miss this. Beth McKenna (6 p.m., Pub Molson). Montreal jazz saxophonist Beth McKenna knows her way around a groove and takes an artful approach to melody. She'll play music from her new album Momentum in this early evening slot. FRIDAY, JULY 4 Dylan Synclair (7:30 p.m., TD Stage). The jazz fest goes urban with this main stage appearance by Toronto R&B singer Dylan Sinclair, whose smooth falsetto and spacious arrangements trace new possibilities for the post-Drake/Weeknd era. Frente Cumbiero (8 and 10 p.m., Rio Tinto Stage). Expanding the possibilities of cumbia is the raison d'être of this fearless foursome from Colombia. SATURDAY, JULY 5 Sun Ra Arkestra (7 p.m., Rogers Stage). Led by 101-year-old saxophonist Marshall Allen, who just released his debut solo album New Dawn, Philadelphia's Sun Ra Arkestra is a legendary sonic entity that carries on in the spirit of its titular founder.
