In our annual photo essay from one of the world’s top jazz festivals, we share a range of musical highlights across genres.
The Montreal International Jazz Festival (MIJF) wrapped up its 43rd successful edition this summer, with an outstanding blend of jazz, blues, soul, R&B and world music. See my earlier write-ups from the editions in 2017, 2016 and 2015.
The 2023 edition reportedly included more than 350 concerts featuring 3,000 musicians from 30 countries. The 10-day festival was spread across six outdoor stages and 11 performance halls.
The festival has become one of the favorite highlights in my musical calendar each year. Check out some highlights in this photo tour of MIJF 2023, and make sure you attend the 2024 edition!
Jupiter & Okwess
Spearheaded by vocalist Jupiter Bokondji Ilola, this high-energy band blends influences from the Congo along with funk and rock. The lineup includes Yende Balamba Bongongo (bass), Montana Kinunu Ntunu (drums), Eric Malu-Malu-Muginda (guitar), and Richard Kabanga Kasonga (guitar). Their albums and performances have featured artists from other genres as well, such as samba and rap.
Michaël Brun
New York-based Haitian DJ and record producer Michaël Brun combines electronic music with traditional Haitian styles such as kompa and rara. He plays guitar and piano as well, and sings in Creole, English, Portuguese, and Spanish. His performances bring audiences to their feet, and his hits include Rise, Burn Forever, Synergy, and Rift. He has also launched his own label called Kid Coconut.
Natalia Lafourcade
Mexican singer-songwriter Natalia Lafourcade blends folk, jazz, indie pop, soft rock, and classical music in her work. The Veracruz artist’s album releases include Casa, Mujer Divina, Musas, Un canto por México, and De Todas las Flores. She has won a string of Latin Grammy Awards as well and has supported humanitarian institutions such as the UN Refugee Agency, Earth’s Call and Save the Children.
Hiromi
Starting off with her debut album in 2003, Japanese jazz composer and pianist Hiromi Uehara has blazed her own trail, adding influences from rock and classical music. The Grammy Award winner has also collaborated with the likes of jazz greats Stanley Clarke and Chick Corea and performed at the opening ceremonies of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Hailu Mergia
Ethiopian keyboardist Hailu Mergia, now based in Washington, DC, first made his mark with the Walias Band in the 1970s. His album releases include Wede Harer Guzo, or journey to the Ethiopian town of Harar. His other releases are Lala Belu and Yene Mircha.
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Combining nuevo flamenco with rock, this acoustic guitar duo has set stages on fire across their dynamic performances. Mexican guitarists Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero play largely instrumental sets and duets on the flamenco guitar. Their albums include Mettavolution and In Between Thoughts…A New World. The duo cites heavy metal music as one of their influences.
Anouar Bahem
The great Tunisian oud player Anouar Brahem first played at MIJF in 2011 and returned this year to great acclaim. He performed along with Dave Holland (bass) and John Surman (reeds). Brahem blends Arabic, classical, and jazz influences, and has composed music for films as well. He has performed with the likes of Jan Garbarek, Jack DeJohnette, and Richard Galliano. His albums include Madar, Thimar, The Astounding Eyes of Rita, and Souvenance.
Naïssam Jalal
Born in France to Syrian parents, flutist Naïssam Jalal combines Arabic, African, classical, jazz, and even hip-hop influences in her unique music. She studied extensively in Egypt as well, and has also played with African greats Cheikh Tidiane Seck, Mamani Keita, Abdoulaye Traore, and Mohamed Diaby. Her album releases with her quintet Rhythms of Resistance include Osloob Hayati and Almot Wala Almazala.
Ko Shin Moon
Axel Moon and Niko Shin represent the highly creative Paris-based duo, Ko Shin Moon. Their music blends traditional Eastern strings and electronic music, even described as a combination of psychedelia and space disco. Their exploratory music is truly cross-border and cross-genre, and uses instruments drawn from India, Iran, and Afghanistan.
Mwenso and the Shakes
Emmy Award-winning bandleader Michael Mwenso (vocals), raised in West Africa and London, has brought together a unique blend of global artists for his group. They include Vuyo Sotashe (vocals), Rashaan Salaam (trombone), Ahmad Johnson (drums), Chris Smith (bass), Xander Naylor (guitar), Aris Dolce Jr. (sax), and Netanya Thompson (dance). Their compositions blend jazz, blues, and African music. The band Mwenso and the Shakes is based in the US.
Marisa Monte
Brazilian vocalist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Marisa Monte presented her new show for the first time in Canada at MIJF. She has performed in samba, MPB, jazz, funk, and soul styles. She has won a string of Latin Grammys, and her albums have sold millions of copies worldwide. Her international collaborations have featured the likes of Laurie Anderson, David Byrne, and Philip Glass.
DakhaBrakha
Ukrainian group DakhaBrakha from Kyiv is a quartet promoting Ukrainian folk melodies to audiences around the world. Their international career took off from 2011 onwards. The artists, with their showcase of multi-ethnic music, have had to cancel concerts in Ukraine due to the current conflict, and hope to play back home in the future.
Chucho Valdés
Iconic piano virtuoso and composer Chucho Valdés is regarded as one of modern Afro-Cuban jazz’s most influential artists. Over a 60-year career, both as an artist and bandleader of the legendary jazz group Irakere, he has recorded dozens of albums that have earned him no less than six Grammy Awards. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Science.
Flor de Toloache
This all-female mariachi band based in New York City was founded by Mireya I. Ramos and Shae Fiol in 2008. Flor de Toloache reportedly began playing in New York City subways, and then went on to launch a series of albums, concerts, and tours. They have also won a Latin Grammy for Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album. Their collaborations include artists like John Legend, Camilo Lara and Alex Cuba.
Derya Yidirim and Grup Şimşek
This Germany-based group combines traditional Anatolian songs with psychedelic grooves and rock. Yidirim sings in Turkish and plays the baglama (Turkish lute). The lineup includes Greta Eacott (drums) as well as multi-instrumentalists Graham Mushnik and Antonin Voyant. Their albums include Kar Yağar and Dost 1&2.
Hermanos Gutiérrez
Two Ecuadorian-Swiss brothers – Stephan and Alejandro Gutiérrez – have formed this unique duo. The Zurich-based guitarists play instrumental songs inspired by Latin American sound and beautiful landscapes. Their albums include the recent El Bueno y El Malo. Their streamed music became particularly popular during the pandemic lockdowns.
Kokoroko
This London-based eight-piece musical group is led by Sheila Maurice-Grey, and plays a fusion of jazz, soul and Afrobeat. Kokoroko’s highly popular tracks include Abusey Junction. The lineup features Anoushka Nanguy (trombone) and Sheila Maurice-Grey (trumpet).
Author: Madanmohan Rao
Madanmohan Rao is an author and media consultant from Bangalore, and global correspondent for world music and jazz for World Music Central and Jazzuality. He has written over 15 books on media, management and culture, and is research director for YourStory Media. Madan was formerly World Music Editor at Rave magazine and RJ at WorldSpace, and can be followed on Twitter at @MadanRao.