Jazzy Time in Montreal

Folk101 helps out the locals with highlights of the Montreal International Jazz Festival. Plus, José Gonzalez, Britain’s Alexi Murdoch, and a chat with Gregory Page.

For large music festivals all over the world, it has become common to offer a diverse line-up of artist and musicians regardless of the festival's designated "genre."

The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal is no exception. The highlight of the city's summer party season begins Wednesday night with B.B. King's 80th birthday celebration concert and will offer great free and no-so-free shows until July 9th.

Folk101 loves this festival, despite the fact that our wallet was nicked last year amongst the chaotic hordes of tourists. But that is all the more reason to go out and enjoy the festivities this year.

Plus, the best part is that during these festivals the city actually allows street vendors to sell food. Folk101 loves street meat. Hotdogs to onion bhaji, we'll be sampling them all and washing it down with warm Labatt Bleue purchased at $7 per plastic cup.

That's a pretty sweet racket. Come to think of it, that's what Folk101 needs, a sponsor. I'll start working on that. Let me know if you have any ideas.

Anyway, as a service to the Montreal community and anyone visiting said city, Folk101 will provide a preview of the top folk shows to catch during the festivities. From Cat Power to Paul Simon, we will let you know who is guaranteed to rock your hot summer days and nights.

Also this week, there will be a review of a concert given by folk music's international man of mystery, José Gonzalez. He is playing a show in Montreal tonight with Juana Molina and Psapp. Folk101 could not be more excited. Hopefully, I'll also have time to post a review of the highly-anticipated new album from Britain's Alexi Murdoch.

Finally, later today, Folk101 will be sitting down (metaphorically speaking since he lives in San Diego) with the fantastic independent folk musician, Gregory Page. We will be discussing his new album Love Made Me Drunk, Paris in the springtime, and of course, shirts with frilly sleeves. Stories resulting from this conversation will appear later this week or early next.

Good luck and may the folk be with you.

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