Quebec, Tuesday April 2, 2024 – Le Quebec Jazz Festival in June is back for a 6th year under the theme From Acoustic to Electric. From June 20 to 30, 2024, music lovers will experience total immersion in the world of jazz, with more than 350 talented artists from and from Quebec in addition to musicians from Europe and the United States who will offer 90 unforgettable shows, including 60 free!
Quebec Jazz in June: Quebec artists first! Always.
Faithful to its mission, Quebec Jazz in June always puts Quebec artists at the forefront. This year, the event is taking the bold step further by offering them the opening and closing concerts which are traditionally reserved, during festivals, for major international artists.
The opening concert will mark Effendi's 25th anniversary in style with an improvisation game Quebec-Montreal which will bring together the cream of Quebec jazz musicians on the same stage. Under the watchful eye of Stanley Péan and Pierre Verville, no holds barred for this incomparable evening. Vincent Gagnon, Pierre Côté, PE Beaudouin and Janis Steprans will have the pleasure of facing François Bourassa, Frank Losano, Guy Boisvert and Pierre Tanguay. An electrifying opening night!
The new stars of world-class Jazz in Quebec
This 6th version will allow Quebec to experience two great firsts with the arrival of future jazz legends at the Théâtre de la Cité Universitaire, namely the supervirtuoso saxophonist Chris Potter on June 26, who will be followed by the prodigious guitarist Julian Lage, nicknamed the Mozart of the guitar , who will offer in addition to his trio performance a meeting with his fans on June 28.
Five new rooms for new experiences
Laval University, still a major partner of Festival, this year highlights three rooms: first, the Henri Gagnon room with its 240 seats and its magnificent pianos Steinway et Yamaha CFX for the delight of artists and seasoned spectators. Next, the LARC recording studio, with its famous piano Steinway Hamburg, will allow you to live an extraordinary listening experience and will offer evenings in complete privacy, in a controlled sound universe for the most demanding music lovers. Finally, the Hermes salon, a lounge jazz hushed, will offer to encourage the next generation of university ensembles before and after the TCU concerts while sipping a drink.
With its entrance directly onto the Grande Allée, equipped with a magnificent terrace hosted by “live” shows, the Laurier Jazz Club will be created in the Château Laurier hotel. This intimate room with the feel of a New York club will host a series dedicated to guitarists. From solo concerts to trios, 10 magnificent Quebec guitarists and Ontario guitarist Jocelyn Gould will certainly be worth discovering. The furnished outdoor terrace will offer jazz at 5@9 every day from Festival.
Three signature concerts
Since its founding, the Festival has made its reputation with its signature shows and this 6th version will be no exception! For an experience dedicated to audiophiles, Studio 29 of the Conservatoire de musique de Québec will open its doors to creation and high-quality listening. The pianist known and appreciated in Quebec, Simon Denisart will join the four experienced musicians of the ESCA quartet to deliver a unique jazz creation with various listening sessions.
To follow up on last year's immense success of the duo "Les Pierre Côté", created at the request of the Festival, the two virtuoso musicians, the distinguished guitarist Pierre Côté from Montreal and the incomparable double bassist from Quebec Pierre Côté, will offer a complete concert at the new Laurier Jazz Club the 25 June
The signature show for the general public not to be missed will be held on Saturday, June 22 at the Théâtre de la Cité universitaire where a vibrant tribute to Frank Sinatra will be performed by singer Alex Blanchette who will have as special guest none other than Quebec's favorite actor Rémy Girard accompanied for the first time by his brother Jean-Fernand Girard, conductor and recognized jazz pianist.
Other expected concerts include an acoustic tribute to the famous group Uzeb by drummer Christian Morissette as well as an epic performance by 17 singers from the vocal group Bémol 9 who will blow out 40 candles for the occasion!
Exceptional international artists such as Italian violinist Luca Ciarla, the European group EYM with Indian singer and flautist Varijashree Venugopal, the trio of Belgian pianist Wajdi Riahi and several others will also be there!
The closing of Festival will be provided by veteran Michel Donato who will perform as a trio for one last lap before taking a well-deserved retirement. It will probably be a last chance to applaud this Quebec jazz giant who accompanied Oscar Peterson, Philly Joe Jones and Bill Evans during his prolific career.
Free concerts at the Domaine de Maizeret from June 27 to 30
Many new features will complement the outdoor offering of free open-air concerts this year. Impromptu performances and interactive workshops for the whole family will enrich this unparalleled jazz experience which promises to leave an indelible memory. Always with a strong Quebec presence characterizing the DNA of the Festival which puts forward audacity and diversity, the Festival will offer for the first time free international shows with, among others, the great Cape Verdean singer Lucibela, the American group Huntertones and the Belgian group No Steam.
You'll have to stay tuned to find out about all the free outdoor programming!
Shows to watch out for at various locations around the city
In addition to the usual places, the Festival will be deployed in new spaces to offer an even richer experience. On Saturday, June 29, exciting concerts will take place on a stage set up on Chemin Ste-Foy in the St-Sacrement district, promising magical jazz moments under the stars. Services will be available on the new terrace of the Hôtel Château Laurier.
The 6th Quebec Jazz Festival in June is a reality thanks to the support of the City of Quebec, Canadian Heritage, the Secrétariat à la Capitale-Nationale, and our loyal partners including Château Laurier, presenter. A big thank you to everyone for this celebration of music.
For more information and to purchase tickets: lepointdevente.com and jazzenjuin.ca, starting today.