The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM), has announced its full programming, featuring over 350 concerts, two thirds of which are free. The festival takes it pride in curating a lineup, with a balance of tradition, heritage and modernity, the 2026 lineup serves as a rallying point where the history of jazz continues to be written. Some of the artists taking part, include Patrick Watson, Angine de Poitrine, Willow, and Saint Levant. The Festival also offers a chance to catch newer artists, including Mohini Dey, Mei Semones, Annahstasia and Destin Conrad.

The 2026 edition will also mark what would be the 100th birthdays of Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Tony Bennett, while celebrating major milestones for UZEB and the late J Dilla.

“The programming for the 46th FIJM is a testament to the great jazz family tree, which has flourished for more than 100 years. Across its many branches, we celebrate the genre’s pivotal moments and living legacy, while introducing the artists shaping its future. Montréal remains a vital hub for jazz, and this is an event you won’t want to miss.” —Maurin Auxéméry, Director of Programming, FIJM

Angine de Poitrine, returns to the festival, the enigmatic duo from Saguenay, will take over the TD Stage (L’Événement Spécial Rio Tinto) this time for a free concert, sure to be one of the most anticipated shows of the year. Also appearing on the main stage: indie-folk group The Barr Brothers, performing tracks from their latest album Let It Hiss, and the essential Patrick Watson as part of his Uh Oh tour.

Other artists taking part, include Father John Misty, St Vincent, Willow (daughter of Will Smith) will finally play in Montréal with her blend of R&B, soul and jazz, as will the blues-rock sister act Larkin Poe, also making their FIJM debut. Smino, the futuristic funk and soulful rap artist whose collaborations include Doechii. And a true Festival favourite, the London-based group KOKOROKO, returns with their fusion of jazz and afrobeat sounds.

The legendary trumpeter will be honoured during the concert We Want Miles – A Miles Davis Centennial Celebration, featuring Marcus Miller, Davis’s final musical director, at the Maison Symphonique (LE FESTIVAL À LA MAISON SYMPHONIQUE ROGERS). Meanwhile, trumpeter Ron Di Lauro will perform the iconic album Kind of Blue on stage at Le Gesù (JAZZ DANS LA NUIT in collaboration with RADIO-CANADA). In the same series, the Ciné-concert: Ascenseur pour l’échafaud revisité par Rémi Cormier Quintet will bring to life Miles Davis’s 1958 soundtrack for the Louis Malle film.

The legacy of John Coltrane will also be celebrated with Modes of Coltrane by the Christine Jensen Sextet at the Club Montréal Loto-Québec Stage, followed by Isaiah Collier, who will perform A Love Supreme in its entirety at the Place des Arts’ Théâtre Jean-Duceppe.

Twenty years after the untimely passing of J Dilla and the 2006 release of his legendary album Donuts, DJ Jazzy Jeff will pay him homage during the Donuts 20th Anniversary Celebration Party with the Montréal Loves Dilla collective at Club Soda (LES COULEURS in collaboration with THE GAZETTE).

Artists representing the bee bop era, with a modern take on it, includes the French-American duo DOMi & JD BECK, returning to MTELUS (LES RYTHMES MOLSON) three years after an impressive performance on the Place des Festivals and their stint opening for Herbie Hancock. Mohini Dey, an extraordinary bassist from India. Making waves with her powerful fusion of jazz and metal, she has been playing professionally since the age of 10. She will be appearing at Le Studio TD (ENTRÉE LIBRE TD). On the Rogers Stage, Montréal audiences are invited to discover Mei Semones, a neo-bossa jazz artist who writes songs in both English and Japanese, as well as the Louis Cole Big Band, a viral future-sonic-funk ensemble known for delivering unforgettable performances.

The new offshoots of the jazz legacy are thriving through artists who carry its foundations into new styles, including the flamboyant R&B of Destin Conrad, the orchestral-scale folk of Annahstasia. Gabriel Jacoby, multi-instrumentalist and poet making his very first Festival appearance, Nubiyan Twist, an irresistible ensemble featuring a blend of jazz, afrobeat, dancehall and reggae on the Rogers Stage, Fabiola Méndez, a highly gifted cuatrista known for her unique genre fusions and her collaboration with none other than Bad Bunny.

The Festival will also honour “legendary cousins” of the genre, featuring a rare visit from the salsa orchestra El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, bringing the party to Place des Arts’ Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier (ÉVÉNEMENTS SPÉCIAUX TD). Additionally, Lionel Richie, accompanied by Earth, Wind & Fire, will play all their songs, that will have you “Dancing On The Ceiling”

order tickets for Festival International de Jazz de Montréal announces 2026 HERE