Folk101 presents readers with its surefire but budget-conscious picks for folk music at this year’s Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.
The infamous Festival International de Jazz de Montréal technically kicked off last night with B.B. King's 80th Birthday Event, a celebration of his recently-released 36th album and legendary career. No one could get and/or afford tickets to this show, so Folk101 will use that as a segue.
Since your money doesn't grow on trees like mine does, and because no one will actually accept my rather leaf-like one-hundred dollar bills, I will provide you weary folk-music seekers with a roadmap to the most exciting free and cost-effective shows for each day of the festival. Use the links below as your guide through the dark, disorienting Forest of Twenty-Minute Saxophone Solos and you will soon find yourself safe and sound once again in the Promised Land of Acoustic Guitars.
For times and locations of shows, click here.
Thursday, June 29
Free: Mother-For a coquettish mix of folk, jazz and pop, check out this hip quintet from Vancouver.
No-so-free: Badi Assad-sultry Brazilian guitarist and singer plays original compositions and the occasional Björk and U2 covers. $24.50.
Friday, June 30
Free: Chris Velan-This native Montrealer is an adroit storyteller, an old-school singer/songwriter with a social conscience.
No-so-free: Gomez-One of Folk101's favorite bands of the moment, this British quintet has been concocting genre-blurring melodies for over ten years. $17.50.
Saturday, July 1
Free: Le Dixieband-Although they are from Lac Saint Jean, these musicians play the music of New Orleans with a sweaty, swinging style straight out of Jackson Square.
No-so-free: Baaba Maal-Senegal's world-renowned elder statesman of music, catch his intoxicating mixture of traditional and modern sounds. $32.50.
Sunday, July 2
Free: Melissa Stylianou-This sexy chanteuse from Toronto performs a mélange of folk, jazz, and pop melodies with a hauntingly emotive voice.
No-so-free: Martha Wainwright-Sister of Rufus, scion of folk music royalty, her voice is rapturous and melancholy all at once, and she's a great songwriter to boot. $22.50.
Monday, July 3
Free: Maraca-Okay, so I'm letting one flutist slip by. This energetic Afro-Cuban musician will have all the hippies dancing in the streets.
No-so-free: Seu Jorge- "Mister" Jorge is best known for his eccentric and stylish translations of David Bowie songs into Portuguese sambas, so expect a night of surprises. This should be one of the festival's best shows. $26.50.
Tuesday, July 4
Free: Homage à Paul Simon-Arrive early, because this may be the biggest, craziest main stage show ever put on by the festival. The evening will feature copious amounts of Paul Simon classics performed by the likes of Daniel Lanois, Elvis Costello, Sam Roberts, and many more. Would it be weird if Paul himself shows up? He performs the next night.
No-so-free: Jesse Cook-A fiery flamenco guitarist who plays traditional and original compositions with real verve and a deep passion for Latin music. $36.50.
Wednesday, July 5
Free: Ska Cubano-Put on your dancing shoes and your sexy, wiggly hips for this meeting of Cuban samba and Jamaican ska.
No-so-free: Amadou et Mariam-Known as "The Blind Couple of Mali," this guitarist and vocalist duo exudes compassion and insight through their bluesy, acoustic reggae music. $39.50.
Thursday, July 6
Free: Jtadi-This sextet plays rollicking gypsy music from a myriad of Eastern European countries.
No-so-free: The Bell Orchestre-Another hometown favorite and a side project of the Indie superstars Arcade Fire, this group plays an instrumental music that paints both beautiful dreamscapes and terrifying nightmares. $19.50.
Friday, July 7
Free: Florence K-Perhaps the quintessential Montreal musician, this pianist-singer performs in a number of languages, but always with zeal and sophistication.
No-so-free: Lullaby Baxter-A theatric, saucy vocalist and group that plays quirky, minimalist pop and jazz tunes. $24.50.
Saturday, July 8
Free: Ryan Leblanc-New Brunswick's guitar virtuoso, who incorporates instruments like banjo, djembé and harmonica into his innovative performances.
No-so-free: Ani Difranco-'Nuff said. Okay, one more thing. Ani-everybody's favorite folky, funky singer that she is-has already sold out her only show. Folk101 gives you explicit permission to use whatever underhanded means you deem necessary in order to obtain a ticket. SOLD OUT.
Sunday, July 9
Free: Goran Bregovic et Son Orchestre des Mariages et des Enterrements-A colossal way to wrap up your festival, this collective brings together 42 musicians and plays music guaranteed to spice up any occasion.
No-so-free: Calexico
-One of the most popular bands in the current neo-folk revival. These natives of Tucson, Arizona will be playing music with a distinctly Americana-rock feel. $34.50.
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