There will be a blockbuster of a party filled with joie de vivre as 2.5-million people move and groove at the Montreal Jazz Festival.
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The TD Toronto Jazz Festival has 10 days of acts on 40 stages, the Mariposa Folk Festival turns 50 in Orillia, there’s lots of fiddling around in Orangeville and who could forget the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s” annual bash in Collingwood?
— The Montreal jazz fest diverse lineup of artists will turn the streets and indoor venues into party zones from June 25 to July 6.
The opening gala features Lionel Richie and Cassandra Wilson, a “mega-event” July 5 features the Steve Miller Band and the Doobie Brothers, while the final day headliner has the Moody Blues. Other legends appearing include Sonny Rollins, Bobby McFerrin, Herbie Hancock, Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed, Wanda Jackson, Dave Brubeck, George Benson, Smokey Robinson and Joan Armatrading.
Also look for Cyndi Lauper, Lewis Furey, Ben E. King, Daniel Lanois, Gipsy Kings, Boz Scaggs, Cesaria Evora, Terence Blanchard, the Roots, Emilie Simon and Roy Hargrove, and a special appearance by Quebec’s 16-year-old sensation Nikki Yanofsky who sang at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
The free opening outdoor concert June 25 with the Brian Setzer Orchestra should be “an extraordinary high-energy performance under the stars,” said the festival’s Hugo Leclerc. “The final act on July 6 will be nothing short of Mardi Gras in July with the biggest closing soiree we’ve had in years.”
It will feature flamboyant costumes and genuine New Orleans’ parade floats. As well, host Zachary Richard kicks off “a hot ’n’ spicy show” starring Trombone Shorty and the legend of Louisiana rhythm and blues singer Allen Toussaint.
A “dazzling show” June 29 has Montreal duo Beast with Betty Bonifassi on vocals and Jean-Phi Goncalves on numerous instruments along with multimedia projections and visuals, Leclerc said.
— Local clubs, restaurants, outdoor and indoor venues — even two churches — will host acts at the Toronto Jazz Festival from June 25 to July 4.
Along with headliner Harry Connick Jr., who performs June 27 at the Canon Theatre, “we have a little something for everyone,” publicist Laura Tulley said. There will also be jazz superstars Herbie Hancock, Mavis Staples, Angelique Kidjo, Taj Mahal and Maceo Parker. “The hub of the festival is Nathan Phillips Square and it is here where some of the biggest names in jazz can be found,” Tulley said.
Highlights of the free shows include Macy Gray and Chaka Khan, July 3 at Yonge-Dundas Square, and Buck 65 at Nathan Phillips Square on Canada Day. Performers in the Koerner Hall Series include Nikki Yanofsky, Dave Brubeck and Roy Hargrove.
There will also be performances at Harbourfront Centre and gospel of jazz shows at St. George the Martyr Anglican Church and Church of the Holy Trinity.
— Legendary singer Gordon Lightfoot headlines the Mariposa Folk Festival’s 50th anniversary from July 9 to 11.
The festival, held at Orillia’s Tudhope Park on Lake Couchiching, will groove “from Friday night until the moon is high in the sky on Sunday,” organizers say.
Other featured performers include Murray McLauchlan, Ian and Sylvia Tyson, Ashley Macissaac, Chris Smither, Lynn Miles, David Francey and Mike Ford, Jason Collett and Oscar Brand. There are shows on 11 stages, an artisan village, Alice’s Restaurant, pub and children’s area.
— Elvis Presley would have been 75 this year. And while he’s been dead nearly 23 years, two festivals still honour “the King.” The Collingwood festival event runs from July 22 to 25 with a “Welcome Home Elvis” theme. There will be Las Vegas-style shows, tribute artist competitions, street parties and a parade. In Windsor, an Elvis festival takes place from June 18 to 20 at the Capital Theatre with “four great shows.”
— Canada’s top fiddlers are heading to Shelburne for the 60th Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship from Aug. 4 to 8. Sponsored by the Shelburne Rotary Club, the event includes a “giant fiddle parade,” Saturday morning and opening night fiddle jams.
If you go
For Montreal Jazz Festival information and tickets, contact montrealjazzfest.com or 1-888-515‑0515. For TD Toronto Jazz Festival, contact torontojazz.com or 416- 928-2033. For the Mariposa Folk Festival, contact mariposafolk.com or 705-326-3655. For the Collingwood Elvis Festival, contact collingwoodelvisfestival.com or 1-866-444-1162. For Windsor Elvis Festival, contact windsorelvisfest.com or 519-254-1108. For the Fiddle Championship, contact shelburnefiddlecontest.on.ca or 519-925-8620
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