27th Festival International de Jazz de Montréal: A superb indoor program. Cont'd.

Photo: Karen Young.

Amadou and Mariam Paris Bamako - Ba Cissoko, Electro Bamako (July 5) The annual Paris Bamako event will be moving to Montreal for one night only, starring the delightful couple from Mali, Amadou and Mariam, who were a huge hit at last year's FrancoFolies. They took Europe by storm, too, and they're back intown with an assortment of hymns produced by Manu Chao. Also on the evening's schedule will be Ba Cissoko, who performed on an exterior stage last year, and the ultra-energetic Elektro Bamako.  The Commodores (July 6) The celebrated American group, of which Lionel Ritchie was once a member, were the pride of Motown in 1971. A rare stopover in Montreal. The Roots (July 7) Come dance to the sounds of the best live hip-hop group. An inexhaustible factory of groove.  Yann Tiersen (July 8) The totally unpredictable composer and improviser who penned the soundtracks for Amélie Poulain and Goodbye Lenine serves up a rock-oriented show. Calexico with the mariachis Luz de Luna (July 9 at 8 p.m.) A group from Arizona that's crossed back and forth into Mexico so often they sound as much like mariachis as they do a country & western group. Mariachis you pay to see, not go away.

Photo: The Commodores.

Jazz d'ici La Presse series, 6 p.m., Le Gesù - Centre de créativité
Jean Pierre Zanella plays Villa-Lobos and Tom Jobim (June 29) It's always a pleasure to see this superb saxophonist, composer and arranger who's as popular in Europe as he is in North America. Jean-Pierre has played with the likes of Antony Braxton, Paul Anka and Michel Legrand. Yannick Rieu Trio 2x3 = 5 with special guest François Bourassa (June 30) Winner of the 2006 Prix Oscar Peterson 2006, last fall Yannick released I is Memory, his seventh album. For this show there'll be two trios playing simultaneously.

Photo: Julie Lamontagne.

Julie Lamontagne trio (July 1) She comes from the world of pop music, but the young pianist has now mastered the language of jazz, all the while keeping it accessible. Julie will be performing selections from her first album Facing the Truth.  Michel Donato and his European friends Piotr Wojtasik and Michael Felberbaum will be joined by François Théberge and Carl Jannuska (July 2) Back in town after a stunning performance last year, followed by a European tour. Stars of Effendi Records.   Christine Jensen quintet (July 3) Christine is rapidly taking her place as one of the best composers in the land. She'll be giving us a peek at her latest album, Look Left, backed up by improvisers on their way up. Joel Miller Mandala with special guest Choir Effusion (July 5) Always astonishing, the sax man will be accompanied by a "post-gospel" choir from Montreal. Frédéric Alarie Sous Hôte-Tension (July 6) An all-new creation uniting four bassists on stage, a mixed instrument section and a four-woman choir that includes Dawn Tyler Watson and Karen Young. Steve Amirault (July 7) With his trio, Steve will be playing selections from his critically acclaimed album Breath. Icarus (July 8) A Quebec ensemble that fuses jazz, funk, tango and contemporary music with nerve, verve and subtlety, bringing together guitarist Marc Villemure and cellist Éric Longsworth.