Festivals
Complete Lineup Unveiled for Montréal Jazz Festival
The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM), presented by TD Bank Group in collaboration with Rio Tinto, is proud to unveil the program for its 45th edition! For 10 wonderful days, from June 26 to July 5, 2025, downtown Montréal will vibe to the sounds of jazz with over 350 concerts, two-thirds of which are free of charge! Capped by a visit from the legendary Nas and sensation Ayra Starr, not to mention the activities around the Oscar Peterson Centennial, the 2025 program is a reflection of what the Festival has accomplished for 45 years: spotlighting and supporting the next generation of jazz stars, while never forgetting its roots.
Ticket sales for paid concerts will begin on Thursday, April 17, at 10 a.m. FIJM newsletter subscribers will have access to preferential advance selling the day before, on Wednesday, April 16, at 10 a.m.
“The FIJM team has once again brilliantly risen to the challenge of curating a lineup as bold as it is accessible. After 45 years, this event, a crossroads between the local and international scenes, still knows how to reinvent itself, keep up with the times and redefine what jazz is, here and now. It is a remedy to the challenges of our era, an opportunity to come together and celebrate the unifying power of music, beyond genres and borders.”
– Maurin Auxéméry, Director of Programming, FIJM
Put on by music lovers for music lovers, the program for this 45th edition takes spectators on a musical journey through diverse genres, building unexpected bridges between them and creating a meeting point for all music influenced by the jazz tradition. Devoted fans will be delighted to welcome back legendary American jazz singer Dianne Reeves at the Théâtre Maisonneuve (Place des Arts) as part of the LES GRANDS CONCERTS RIO TINTO in collaboration with Rythme 105.7, and to discover the captivating Mexican-Chilean artist Mon Laferte at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts (ÉVÉNEMENTS SPÉCIAUX TD), a blues-pop icon and multiple Grammy winner.
The lines between the local and international scenes are blurring. Homegrown artists of all calibres are joining talents from around the world: two Montréalers, Elisapie (TD Stage), a world-renowned Inuk singer-songwriter, and Salin (ENTRÉE LIBRE TD at the Studio TD), an amazing drummer who explores the enchanting sounds of Northern Thailand, will rub shoulders with BALTHVS (TD Stage), a Colombian psychedelic funk band that eclectically melds disco, house, surf rock and cumbia music. It’s also a short step from the eclectic rhythms of British DJ Bonobo, whose concert is featured in the LES RYTHMES MOLSON series at MTELUS, to the historic jazz outfit The Sun Ra Arkestra (Rogers Stage), pioneers of Afrofuturist music. Jazz is alive and well this year, with performances by virtuoso saxophonists accompanied by an ensemble that will please purists of the genre; they include Camille Thurman & The Darrell Green Quintet (Pub Molson), or Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few, not to be missed at the Studio TD.
FIJM is also a festival that grows with its artists; from Samara Joy, the genius singer whose career had a meteoric rise after gracing our stages, and who will be featured in the LE FESTIVAL À LA MAISON SYMPHONIQUE ROGERS series this year at the Maison symphonique (Place des Arts), or award-winning young vocalist Tyreek McDole (Le Studio TD), who will also be opening for Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts (ÉVÉNEMENTS SPÉCIAUX TD).
With its strong lineup of outdoor events, the Festival’s 45th edition will also treat crowds to high-quality concerts free of charge. These include Esperanza Spalding (TD Stage), a talented singer-songwriter as well as the very first jazz musician to win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. And let’s not forget Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (TD Stage), led by a hugely popular trombonist and trumpeter who got his start in jazz earlier than most, at age four, making his first appearance performing with the great Bo Diddley. This year’s Festival is also already shaping up to be the year of guitars, with highly anticipated performances by Yasmin Williams (Rogers Stage), the genre-blurring Tiny Desk sensation, and Tommy Emmanuel, Australian fingerpicking specialist, who will perform at the Théâtre Maisonneuve (Place des Arts) in LES GRANDS CONCERTS RIO TINTO in collaboration with Rythme 105.7.
Music lovers’ curiosity and trust are always rewarded at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal. Our team invites you to check out Clown Core at MTELUS (LES RYTHMES MOLSON), a duo of anonymous masked artists offering a mind-blowing amalgam of grindcore, jazz and electronica. Another can’t-miss is Nate Smith teaming up with Lalah Hathaway, James Francies and Derrick Hodge at Théâtre Jean-Duceppe (Place des Arts), in a JAZZ BEAT concert put on in collaboration with CBC MUSIC. Created specially for the Festival, this performance will bring together the rich musical worlds of these varied artists: country singer, jazz musician and vocalist, renowned keyboardist, and famous bandleader and bassist.
Oscar Peterson centennial celebrations
In addition to celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, the FIJM will be paying tribute to Oscar Peterson, legendary Montréal pianist, who would have turned 100 in 2025. Several celebratory events are organized, starting with the Oscar Peterson Centennial Gala: Canadiana Suite, presented by TD Assurance in LE FESTIVAL À LA MAISON SYMPHONIQUE ROGERS at the Maison symphonique (Place des Arts). The Centennial Quartet, which will be featured in the first part of the Gala, will go on to tour Quebec and New Brunswick after the Festival.
The Oscar Peterson Centennial Quartet will also be performing free of charge at Pub Molson during the Montreal Thanks OP concert, presented by TD Assurance, to delight as many people as possible!
Festival-goers can explore Through Oscar’s Lens, a free exhibition celebrating Oscar Peterson presented in collaboration with ICI Musique. It highlights rare photos taken by the pianist himself over more than sixty years, and many familiar faces (Ella Fitzgerald, Lester Young, Norman Granz, Ray Brown). The exhibition will also offers a glimpse into his life, his career and jazz history through exclusive audio content curated by ICI Musique. These archival excerpts and exclusive interviews will also be broadcast on June 22 at 7 p.m. on ICI Musique, during a program that will then be available for replay on Radio‑Canada OHdio. The exhibition will be on display throughout the Festival on the fence around the Musée d’art contemporain (MAC).
Those interested in learning more about Oscar Peterson’s life and legacy can also watch the film OSCAR PETERSON: BLACK + WHITE by Barry Avrich, at Cinéma du Parc.
Everyone can also take a piece of the celebrations home by purchasing “Oscar Peterson Live at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal,” a vinyl album produced by Spectra Musique, available for sale for the first time and exclusively at the Festival and during the tour. A collaboration between Céline Peterson (Oscar’s daughter), Kelly Peterson (Oscar’s wife) and the FIJM, the album features a selection of pieces recorded at the Festival in 1989 and 2004.
Other must-sees
From Place des Festivals to Cinéma du Parc, a cinematic program will let you diversify your musical experience as we pay tribute to another jazz icon. The work of the late Quincy Jones will also be celebrated with screenings of In Cold Blood, The Wiz and The Color Purple.
Festival regulars will also have the pleasure of rediscovering familiar activities and gathering places. Visit or revisit pop-up bar PHONO, featuring DJ sets created in collaboration with Music Is My Sanctuary. The Académie series is also back this year, featuring interviews, performances and educational discussions with Festival artists. Stay tuned for details!
To prolong the excitement, the event program team is holding back a few surprises. These major additions will be announced in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
“This 45th edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal invites us to immerse ourselves in the music and embrace the vibe. Once again, it promises to amaze us by showcasing new talent and helping us rediscover jazz legends. At TD, we are proud to celebrate 15 years of collaboration as the festival presenter and to renew our commitment for another four years. Supporting this festival means offering everyone an extraordinary musical experience—accessible and full of unforgettable moments.”
– Abe Adham, Chair, Quebec Market, TD Bank Group
“Rio Tinto proudly supports the 45th edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, an iconic musical event that draws people and cultures together. Featuring world-renowned artists and emerging talents with varied musical influences from all over the world, this exciting summer celebration makes our city vibrate to the enchanting rhythm of jazz and contributes to its international reputation. Since 2006, we have offered free activities for families and promoted diversity, enriching Montreal’s cultural scene and creating stronger communities.”
– Marie-Christine Dupont, General Counsel, Aluminium, Rio Tinto
Find the complete program and concert schedule HERE.
Festivals
HOT 97 Summer Jam 2026 – Recap & Photos
The Prudential Center was absolutely buzzing as it hosted the much-anticipated HOT 97 Summer Jam 2026, a classic highlight of New York’s summer music scene. This event is all about bringing together the best of the best in hip hop, rap, and R&B, creating a stage where both rising stars and seasoned veterans can shine.
This year’s lineup was stacked, featuring big names like French Montana, Max B, DaBaby, and G Herbo, promising to be “the biggest party ever to hit an arena.” To keep the party jumping, Hot 97 enlisted the help of legendary on-air personalities Funkmaster Flex, Nessa, and the Mornings with Mero team. As anticipated, the lineup drew a packed house, completely selling out the venue.
Hip Hop heads can go all the way back to the 90s to see just why something like this matters so much to the culture. Over the years, HOT 97 Summer Jam has given us unforgettable moments, from sparking epic rap feuds to reuniting legendary groups. This year was no different, packed with standout highlights. It’s not false advertising to say something iconic will happen on a Summer Jam stage – it’s expected.
One of the biggest moments of the night was Fetty Wap‘s homecoming. The crowd went wild for hits like “679” and “My Way,” though he had to cut his set short because of time limits. As the show rolled on, Yung Miami brought the energy with her summer banger “Spend Dat,” even tossing stacks of cash into the audience, causing a frenzy with everyone trying to stuff their pockets. Emerging artists were also front and center, like Zeddy Will, who energized the crowd from the upper bowl. DaBaby also brought his infectious energy to the crowd as he ran through his catalog, connecting with the fans in a unique way that really elevated the atmosphere.
On a sultry R&B vibe, Mariah the Scientist performed hits like “Is It a Crime” and “Burning Blue,” showcasing her killer stage presence and stunning vocals. The night wrapped up with French Montana, who brought out Max B and Remy Ma to help perform nostalgic Coke Boys favorites like “Unforgettable,” “Stay Schemin,” and “Ever Since You Left Me.” Despite their busy schedules with tours and new music releases, it’s great to see these artists giving back to the culture. They provided fans with a taste of their musical talents while solidifying their place in Summer Jam history. The surprise guests who were not listed on the lineup truly made this showcase unforgettable. We had the chance to see Lola Brooke, Fat Joe, and the entire cast of Zeus Network’s hit show, The Baddies. It truly was the hottest ticket of the weekend.
I just wished we could have partied a little longer. Some acts were unable to hit the stage for the final curtain, but on all accounts, the Hot 97 team delivered a show they can be proud of. HOT 97 Summer Jam 2026 left everyone hyped. Funkmaster Flex hosted the night flawlessly, keeping the energy high and the transitions smooth between acts. You can bet that the fans are already hyped for what next year has in store, eagerly locked into Hot 97 on the radio for the next Summer Jam lineup. I’ll be looking out for that announcement too; I know they are already cooking for 2027.
Check out our favorite photos of the day below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
All Photo Credit: @GALLERYBYTM | Anthony Grant Photography
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver – Kaytranada
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at the PNE closed out another memorable week on Sunday with the biggest match in world football and a fitting musical finale. Fans packed the site well before kickoff, creating a sea of jerseys, flags, and face paint as they gathered to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina. Every big chance was met with gasps and cheers, and when Spain secured the victory, the celebrations spread across the festival grounds as supporters soaked in the final moments of a month-long tournament.
There was little time for the excitement to settle before the day’s entertainment shifted from football to live music. Montreal’s Kaytranada took over the Amphitheatre stage, giving fans one last reason to keep the energy going after the trophy presentation. Known for blending house, hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music into a sound that feels uniquely his own, Kaytranada delivered exactly the kind of set the festival needed to close the weekend.
With Spain crowned world champions and Kaytranada providing the soundtrack to the celebration, the FIFA Fan Festival wrapped up another successful day at the PNE. It was a reminder that throughout the tournament, football and music proved to be the perfect combination, bringing thousands of people together to celebrate on and off the pitch.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
KAYTRANADA
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer