Montreal International Jazz Festival lines up legends

The Montreal International Jazz Festival is bringing in as many legendary stars as it can to celebrate its35thanniversary.

Organizers unveiled the festivals indoor concert schedule today. The list includes:

• Diana Ross
• Aretha Franklin
• B.B. King
• Tony Bennett
• Earth, Wind & Fire
• Michael Bubl
• Barenaked Ladies
• Coeur de pirate

Soul diva Diana Ross will be performing July 3. Her show sold out so fast that another show has already been added for July 4.

Crooner MichaelBublhits the Bell Centre with two shows, and1970sR&B band Earth, Wind & Fire will be at the festival for the first time.

Where can you see at the same festival ArethaFranklin, DanielLanois, Elvis Costello, Diana Ross, BradMehldau,AlainLefvre... Name it! said thefesitivalsvice-president of programming and production LaurentSaulnier.

Some musicians are returning favourites, like pianist Oliver Jones who will be celebrating his80thbirthday with a closing concert that he says may be his last.

After this year Im going to really slow down. I can't do 65 to 80 concerts in a five-month period anymore, but it's been a wonderful career, Jones said.

The Montreal International Jazz Festival runs from June 26 to July 6.

Tickets for all the shows go on sale Saturday at noon.