Montreal Jazz Festival
Experience The Wonder Jazz
Have you heard about one of the most enigmatic music fests in the world? Yes, I am talking about the Montreal Jazz festival, the one with admirers around the world. If not, then do scroll down and read more about this fantastic event organized every year for music lovers.
Montréal International Jazz Festival organized in Quebec, Canada is one of the most sought-after musical events in the world today. For ten days music enthusiasts from across the globe converge in Montreal to witness and be part of, one of the most massive Jazz musical extravaganzas in the world. Yeah, you read it right, ten days of complete madness, isn’t it cool? The festival has flourished as a melting point of different styles of jazz music, much to the joy of the audience.
Part of history
Montreal Jazz festival inaugurated in 1980 with a limited audience and music bands have grown to become an annual pilgrimage for musicians and enthusiasts. Such is the craze that the audience, musicians, singers, technicians, organizers, wait in anticipation throughout the year to be part of the much-celebrated event on the calendar. You will be amazed to know that people plan their lives around the jazz festival.
The annual jazz festival has great significance for local Canadians who brave long harsh winters. The music event that falls during summer is a perfect excuse for Canadians to come out in large numbers and party. After all, who wouldn't like to have some fun after unforgiving, cruel winters?
Montreal Jazz Festival Line-up
Montreal jazz festival is the largest in terms of the crowd. Each year the music event is attended by more than 2 million people with a sizeable (12.5%) being tourists. The musical extravaganza also holds the Guinness World Record (2004) of being the most significant jazz event organized in any part of the world. If you don't believe it witnesses the event and comment :)
The performance of more than 3000 artists from different parts of the world adds to the diversity and popularity of the musical blowout. The concerts are organized in both outdoor and indoor venues. Throughout the ten days, around 650 shows, the majority of them free (about 450) enchants the audience.
It's all the climate Stupid.
One major contributing factor to the success of the Montréal jazz festival is the ideal climate during that part of the year. As the warm weather approaches Montreal city, it transforms into a gracious host, the ultimate destination for music lovers. It is the time of the year when thousands of musicians, enthusiasts groove to the rhythmic melodies of Jazz.
The city administration, on its part, enforces a significant shutdown of city traffic to facilitate the outdoor venues that organize concerts. The performances by artists typically begin at noon and continue till early morning. Approximately 100,000 to 200,000 people attend each site, and the number swells by weekends. There are live jazz performances held at small indoor venues for a limited audience.
The Jazz
Jazz music originated in Africa and traversed a long path to become part of the urban music scene in the Northern hemisphere. The rhythmic music was passed on from one generation to another before eventually taking the center-stage in western nations like Britain, Canada, and America. The penetration of the Jazz continued throughout the 1900s and gradually became popular among the general population.
As it transcended racial boundaries, its popularity breached geographical limits. The original tradition of swinging to beats, clapping, and performing songs to reflect human emotions is still the crowd puller. The soulful jazz music has evolved over some time with many new forms added much to the joy of the young generation.
At the Montréal Jazz festival, music fans can enjoy different genres and styles of Jazz in one place. Although the festival was conceptualized for jazz fans, another type of music that is influenced by Jazz is additionally performed now. The variety of jazz forms, including Gypsy jazz, Bebop, Modal Jazz, Latin Jazz mesmerize the audience. Apart from it, music forms inspired by Jazz such as jazz fusion, hip-hop, electronica also enthralls the audience. The versatility ensures there is something available to match the musical tastes of every individual irrespective of age.
An Abundance of Talent- Local and Foreign
Montreal jazz festival also serves as an excellent podium for emerging local talent in Canada to showcase their skills. Competitions are organized amongst different Canadian music bands much to the delight of the audience. Awards to budding musicians is a token of appreciation and encourage them to work hard.
The rich diversity of the music festival is also due to the plethora of world-class jazz artists apart from the local talent. The music at the festival spans classic Jazz to chart hopping reggae. There are even roaming bands that perform on the pedestrian section for free. The music blended with fun and comradeship captivates the audience. I am loving it.
Its also about Money Honey.
Festivals are an inherent part of the jazz culture and are sprinkled in different parts of the world. These festivals embrace the local flavors and enrich the overall music scene. Moreover, these festivals also give a significant boost to the local economies.
According to organizers, the Montréal jazz festival contributes more than $100 million to the local economy. It is a perfect outing for the whole family to visit the venue. Besides music, people can indulge in a variety of food cuisines to satisfy their taste buds. Apart from different cuisines food trucks selling street food are also in high demand—the organizers at Montréal jazz festival boost of sales of food and beer worth millions every year. I want golgappas too :)0
Multiple benefits
Music festivals provide opportunities and are beneficial to host countries, and the Montréal jazz festival is no different. But the massive scale of opportunities created by the Montreal festival makes it unique. Apart from providing a platform to local evolving music talent, the festival has far-reaching economic benefits to add to its legacy. Don't we need such festivals in India too?
Finally
The Montréal jazz festival conceptualized by Alain Simard and André Ménard as a pure jazz venue has evolved in the last 40 years. Today, a broad spectrum of events such as seminars, music workshops, competitions for specific instruments organized in the ten-day festival for spectators, and music enthusiasts is an added attraction.
What makes the Montréal International jazz festival spectacular is, it has something special for everyone; a tiny piece of souvenir in the form of memories to cherish and take home and a promise to come back next season. It has emerged as a major tourist destination where the tourists flock in droves to witness an enchanting life-changing moment. Impressive indeed.
Image Courtesy - Google
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