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The 30th Anniversary of the MONTREAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
 Experience Quebec's Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM), also called the Jazz Fest, the largest jazz festival in the world.
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FEATURE BOOK
‘Red, White and Drunk All Over–a Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass'
By Natalie MacLean
Natalie MacLean’s award winning book ‘Red, White and Drunk All Over’ is an informative, often hilarious trip through wine cellars and vineyards around the globe.Read more |
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Daily Dispatches: 30th Anniversary of Montreal Jazz Festival Explodes with Wonder…Stevie Wonder
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Posted by: Publisheron Wednesday, July 01, 2009 - 10:36 AM |
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June 30, 2009:
 Our first flight on Porter Airlines to attend the Montreal Jazz Festival allowed us to fly with ease from downtown Toronto, a short ferry ride to the island airport delivered us to check-in and ease our way through security for the one-hour and ten minute flight to Montreal. Food and beverage are offered FREE by their friendly staff.
I hit the road running after landing in Montreal and went straight to the festival press centre where Stevie Wonder was doing a press conference at the Montreal Jazz Festival opening day.
He was there to receive a ‘Spirit Award’ from festival organisers Andre Menard and Alain Simard honouring him for musical excellence, innovation and international influence.
Still mourning the loss of his good friend Michael Jackson, he wanted to make sure that people moved beyond the ugly rumours and innuendo about Jackson and remember the man for the great music and dance that he was best known for. “The most important thing is the music and legacy he left behind for us to celebrate; the songs we have sung, danced to and cried to.” Said Wonder.
In receiving the award, Wonder said, “It is truly an honour to be here at the Montreal Jazz Festival. The influence of jazz has been consistent in the world of music and I am truly honoured to be the recipient of this award.”
 Stevie Wonder was not the only stellar musician in town to open the festival. Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Centre Orchestra were in top form at the Salle Wilfred-Pelletier concert hall in the Place de Arts building. Before the show began Wynton, and festival organizers Andre Menard and Alain Simard presented the first ‘Bruce Lundvall Award’ to…Bruce Lundvall! The Bruce Lundvall Award was established to honour prominent non-musicians who have left a mark on the world of jazz or contributed to its development whether through media, concert, or record industry.
For those who unfamiliar with Lundvall’s contributions to the music world he is the President of prestigious Blue Note Records since 1984 and was responsible for forwarding the careers of artists such as Dianne Reeves, Cassandra Wilson, Nora Jones, Bill Charlap, Joe Lovano and Rachelle Farelle to name just a few.
 Wynton took the stage with the Lincoln Centre Orchestra first seated in the back row right next to Ollie Jackson on drums who was set high on a platform that featured guest artist Chandro Dominguez and his Quartet. With Dominguez on piano, a percussionist on Cajon, a singer and Tomisito a fabulous Spanish dancer, they worked in tandem with the LCO on hand clapping and soloing. They ended their set with a song that Wynton said “I can’t pronounce the name so we just call it number twelve.”
It was nearly impossible to leave the building as hoards of festivalgoers were trying to get near the outdoor stage for the Stevie Wonder show, delayed by rain for a half an hour.
 Wonder took the stage with his daughter in tow, he once again spoke of his good friend Michael Jackson and urged people to keep his music alive by buying his records, remembering him for the great musical legacy he has left behind and that this night will be about Michael Jackson. I couldn’t get anywhere near the stage, there must have been over 200,000 people in the streets all trying to get in on the fun.
I made my way back to my hotel around the corner and sat on my 20th floor balcony where I could almost see the show on one of the many monitors set up, I could hear it perfectly. Wonder performed all his hits, ‘Isn’t She Lovely’, Signed, Sealed and Delivered, My Cherie Amor, a few songs that he collaborated with Michael Jackson on, Superstitious and many more. The show went on for over two hours with Wonder pumping out hit after hit sounding as good as they ever did. At the end of the night when a soft rain once again began to fall, the show ended with a spectacular fireworks display. The party has officially begun.
This morning I am off to a press conference with Bruce Lundvall.
Photographs Kris King
Note: See the Stevie Wonder press conference at:www.youtube.com/user/ejazztv
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