In order to help festival-goers find their way among more than 350 shows, two-thirds of which are accessible free of charge, the programming team of the Montreal International Jazz Festival (FIJM) wanted to highlight its favorite discoveries, as well as the major events not to be missed to fully enjoy the 2026 edition.
THE PROGRAMMING’S FAVORITE
THE HEADHUNTERSJAZZ BEAT IN COLLABORATION WITH CBC MUSIC Thursday June 25, 2026, 9 p.m. Jean-Duceppe Theater, Place des Arts The Headhunters is a legendary jazz-funk ensemble co-led by percussionist Bill Summers and drummer Mike Clark, with Donald Harrison on saxophone. 50 years after its creation, the band behind one of the best-selling albums in jazz history is still touring and will visit Montreal audiences this summer.
CHARLES LLOYD QUARTETwith James Francies, Harish Raghavan & Kweku SumbryTHE FESTIVAL AT ROGER SYMPHONIC HOUSESaturday June 27, 2026, 7 p.m.Maison Symphonique de MontréalInducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, Lloyd enjoys legendary fame in the world of music. At 88 years old, he continues to move up a gear, with perfect control. Her concerts and recordings are events of immaculate beauty and elegance, imbued with intense emotion and passion that touch deep within the heart.
ST VINCENT SYMPHONICSPECIAL EVENTS TDSunday June 28, 2026, 7:30 p.m.Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des ArtsFor the first time this summer, St. Vincent is offering a very first series of orchestral concerts with the help of Jules Buckley, renowned orchestrator, arranger and conductor. This series of unforgettable evenings promises to offer unique symphonic reinterpretations of the repertoire of this essential, eclectic and acclaimed artist of modern music.
KAMASI WASHINGTONTD PERFORMANCESSunday June 28, 2026, 9:30 p.m.TD StageKamasi Washington is one of the most acclaimed multi-instrumentalists, composers and conductors of the 21st century. Numerously nominated for Grammy and Emmy awards, he has also collaborated with Kendrick Lamar, Florence + the Machine, Herbie Hancock and several others, in addition to performing all over the world. Free!
NAÏKALES TDL PERFORMANCES Monday June 29, 2026, 9:30 p.m. TDS Stage Identifying as a “third culture kid,” Naïka honors her Franco-Haitian heritage and international upbringing in her music influenced by Western pop, R&B and soul. With three EPs to her credit, this independent artist has built a considerable audience with more than two million fans around the world. Free!
IBRAHIM MAALOUFLES RHYTHMES MOLSONWednesday July 1, 2026, 8:30 p.m. MTELUS Spotted by Quincy Jones and described as a “Virtuoso” by the New York Times, Ibrahim Maalouf is an essential trumpeter and jazzman on the French music scene having filled prestigious venues such as the Volkswagen Arena in Istanbul, the Lincoln Center in New York and the Kennedy Center in Washington, in addition to signing numerous bands movie sound.
MELODY GARDOTSPECIAL EVENTS TDMednesday July 1 and Thursday July 2, 2026, 7:30 p.m. Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des ArtsMelody Gardot is a musician and singer whose voice is characterized by a captivating delicacy. Twenty years after launching her career, Gardot has seduced the general public with her melodies balancing lyrical economy and lush scale.