Just in time for Christmas shopping (or avoidance thereof), organizers of the Montreal International Jazz Festival have announced three concerts planned for next summer’s 34th edition. All mark the return of festival favourites who have been here during the past few years.
The title Queen of Soul is often disputed – much like The World’s Greatest Rock n’ Roll Band – but tradition has bestowed it on Aretha Franklin, who will be back at the festival for a June 29 appearance at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier of Place des Arts. She last performed at the fest in 2008.
You’ll have to make a choice between Aretha and Wayne Shorter, who performs in virtually the same time slot at Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts. The iconic sax player’s quartet will preside over an 80th birthday celebration that will also feature Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas’s Sound Prints quintet, as well as Geri Allen, Terri Lyne Carrington and Esperanza Spalding in a trio appearance. Shorter was here last year.
Wynton Marsalis returns June 28 with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, which he directed in an opening concert at the 2009 festival. He will perform at the Maison symphonique de Montréal.
Tickets for Franklin are priced at $101.49, $118.49 and 152.50$. Shorter tickets go for $76.50 and $93.50. Admission to the Marsalis show will set you back $78.49 or $95.50. All go on sale Saturday, Dec. 1 at noon, at the Place des Arts box office, by phone at 514-842-2112 or online at pda.qc.ca.
The 34th annual Montreal International Jazz Festival runs from June 28 to July 7, 2013.
