It’s almost time for the 2018 Montreal Jazz Festival! The 39th edition of the festival kicks off on Thursday, June 28th and runs until Saturday, July 7th.

That means there are ten days of music coming that will include new music, some stuff you know and love, and maybe you’ll find your new favourite band. With such a big list of acts we wanted to help get you started with your planning, I’ve picked ten shows that we think you shouldn’t miss during the Montreal Jazz Festival.

Ben Harper – Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts – July 3, 7:30 pm

Superstar guitarist Ben Harper will be accompanied by the living legend, harmonicist Charlie Musselwhite at this year’s festival. They’ll be performing songs from the album No Mercy in This Land which was released this spring. It’s a great mix of electric and acoustic blues songs.

Boz Scaggs – Maisonneuve Theater, Place des Arts – July 2, 8 pm

Back for his third visit to the Montreal Jazz Festival, Boz Scaggs is a published author and Grammy winner. Boz brings his smooth funk and soul for your listening enjoyment.

George Thorogood and the Destroyers – Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts – 1 st July 19 30 pm

Think heavy energetic guitar riffs, 40 years of experience and over 15 million albums sold and you’re thinking about George Thorogood. George Thorogood and the Destroyers continue to deliver high energy, Bad to the Bone rock and roll.

Herbie Hancock | Thundercat – Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts – July 2, 7:30 pm

Returning to the festival after eight years, the mastermind of funk, R&B and jazz fusion, Herbie Hancock will share the stage with Thundercat.

Ian Anderson Presents Jethro Tull – Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts – July 7, 8 pm

Rock pioneer Ian Anderson, the flute and voice of Jethro Tull is celebrating his 50th birthday with a visit to The Montreal Jazz Festival. Having released over 50 albums and performed thousands of shows, this will be one of those moments that you’re glad you didn’t miss.

Jann Arden – Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts – June 29, 7:30 pm

Jann Arden, the inimitable Canadian pop-rock singer, will hit the Montreal Jazz Festival stage and play songs from her new album These Are The Days as well as our classic favourites. Ms. Arden is one not to be missed. Her humour and talent are incomparable.

Molly Johnson – Fifth Hall, Place des Arts – July 3, 7 pm

Molly Johnson has been a performer for most of her life. Her transition from rock to jazz has been a smooth one, and she has a loyal following, and if you’ve never seen Molly in her glory, you need to check out this show. And if you have, you know you need to see her again.

Snarky Puppy – MTELUS – June 28, 8:30 pm

Fronted by the captivating Michael League, the fusion jazz instrumental group Snarky Puppy returns to Montreal. The band is touring to support their latest album Culcha Vulcha, which won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. It should be an excellent performance.

The War on Drugs – TD scene – July 7, 9:30 pm

Grammy-winning band, The War on Drugs drops by The Montreal Jazz festival as part of their world tour. Touring to support their latest release, A Deeper Understanding, you can expect heavenly, powerful sounds and music that moves you.

Too Many Zoos – TD scene – July 5, 9 pm and 11 pm

In 2014, Too Many Zooz created a buzz on the New York subway with their take on jazz music and their performance antics. Since then, the trio, who describe their music as brass house, have played many, many shows and created a career from that first viral video. It’s jazzy, it’s funky and we love it.

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Trish Cassling

Writer/Photographer/Editor

Toronto Music Blogger