Montreal Jazz Festival returns with star-studded lineup

The Montreal International Jazz Festival is back in full swing this year, with its first full edition in two years.

Over 350 artists will beperforming over ten days of indoor and outdoor concerts in the Quartier des Spectaclesfrom June 30 to July 9 2/3 of which will be free of charge.

On Tuesday, organizersshared a first look at this year'slineupwhich will feature severalbig names, includingAmerican hip hop band The Roots who will close out the festival with a free outdoor show July 9.

Saxophonist Kamasi Washington, Australian singer and songwriter Tash Sultana, rapper Joey Bada$$, blues rock band Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats are among the other headliners.

As usual, the festival will feature Canadian talent withQuebec pianistJean-Michel Blais, singersDominique Fils-Aim and CRi, Toronto-basedalternative rockerAllan Rayman and rapper Cadence Weapon all taking the stage as well.

Other acts announced Tuesday include Pink Martini, Alicia Moffet,Robert Glasper, Masego, Gregory Porter, The Psychedelic Furs, Basia Bulat and Brad Barr.

Festival organizers saidmore artists will be announced in the coming months and programming will be updated on theevent's website.

Due to pandemic restrictions, the festivalwas reduced to a shortened concert series over a period of five days last September. In 2020, there were a series of concerts streamed online but no in-person events.

Tickets for paid indoor shows go on sale at noon on Friday, April 1.