Montréal Jazz Festival Announces Académie Event Program

The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM), presented by TD Bank Group in collaboration with Rio Tinto, is continuing its educational and community mission with the return of the Académie. The first edition of this event series was so successful that it’s coming back this year with twice as many activities! Through 10 or so events, nearly all free of charge, this special space for sharing, held alongside the Festival, offers a unique meeting point for up-and-coming musicians and seasoned artists, furthering music practice through knowledge sharing between artists and the Montréal community. And there’s another new feature this year: the event will benefit from the expertise of an artist-in-residence, none other than Nate Smith, renowned American drummer, producer and singer-songwriter. 

Académie: A platform for creative sharing

This year’s Académie will involve two activity series: Espace Discussions (discussion space), where intimate conversations will take place with guest artists; and Espace Créatif (creative space), which will feature interactive masterclasses on the art of making music, which attendees will be invited to contribute to. Save the dates: all free activities will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis! 

Espace Discussion

Discussion with Wynton Marsalis
with Alexa Tarantino and Chris Lewis
June 26, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Théâtre Jean-Duceppe (Place des Arts)
Paid activity
Meet talented American trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis, the first jazz musician to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music, in conversation with saxophonists Alexa Tarantino and Chris Lewis.  Tickets go on sale May 22 at 10:00 a.m. 

Discussion with Branford Marsalis
with Mark Ruffin
June 30, 2025, 1:00 p.m.
Cinquième Salle (Place des Arts)
Free!
Saxophonist, composer and bandleader Branford Marsalis, formerly the frontman of the Tonight Show Band, will take part in a conversation moderated by Mark Ruffin, radio host, music journalist, producer and author.

Discussion with Katherine McVicker 
Anyone Can Book a Gig
July 1, 2025, 1:00 p.m.
Cinquième Salle (Place des Arts)
Free!
Take a deep dive into the rich professional world of agent Katherine McVicker, author of the book Anyone Can Book a Gig: A Performer’s Guide to Successful Touring and leading figure in the touring world for three decades, who now works with some 40 renowned contemporary jazz musicians through her talent and booking agency Music Works International.

Discussion with Patricia Pascal, Tao Ming-Lau & Caroline Fontanieu
Women in Music
July 2, 2025, 1:00 p.m.
Cinquième Salle (Place des Arts)
Free!
An in-depth reflection on the place women hold in the music industry, featuring some of its most vibrant participants: Caroline Fontanieu, ECM marketing director; Patricia Pascal, producer and director of the emerging artists program at Tomorrow’s Warriors; and Tao Ming-Lau, agent with Paquin. The discussion, moderated by Magali Ould, general manager of Secret City Records, is presented in collaboration with nonprofit organization Women in Music Canada.

Discussion with Camille Thurman
July 4, 2025, 1:00 p.m.
Cinquième Salle (Place des Arts)
Free!
Saxophonist, singer and composer, Camille Thurman talks in depth with Caroline Fontanieu, ECM marketing director.

Espace Créatif

Workshop with Nate Smith
Drums masterclass
July 1, 2025, 3:30 p.m.
Cinquième Salle (Place des Arts)
Free!
Nate Smith offers a masterclass on drumming, which will reveal more about his approach to the instrument.

Workshop with Derrick Hodge
Composition and creativity
July 2, 2025, 3:30 p.m.
Cinquième Salle (Place des Arts)
Free!
Composer, bassist and bandleader Derrick Hodge joins the Académie to lead a discussion on music creation, as well as an interactive music composition workshop.

Find the full Académie program here!

The 45th edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal will take place from June 26 to July 5, 2025 in the Quartier des Spectacles. More info here.