Great lineup at Montreal Jazz Festival.
Regular readers of this blog -- both of you -- know that we're big fans of Montreal, and of jazz. Those similarly inclined can enjoy both at the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, which runs from June 16 - July 6. Since we posted about it in March, they've added several great acts, including Aretha Franklin, Woody Allen, Leonard Cohen, and Diane Reeves.
Jazz legend Oscar Peterson -- who passed away this year -- was born in Montreal, and this year's festival is dedicated to him. Festivals often claim to offer something for everyone, but with 3,000 acts from 30 countries, Montreal delivers. Big Band fans can watch the Battle of the Bands between the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Blues lovers have Keb Mo and Taj Mahal. Fusion fans have Return to Forever and Steely Dan, who isn't really a fusion band, but everyone who love fusion loves them.
Music runs from noon to midnight daily and several downtown city blocks are pedestrian zed for performances. Tickets are available at http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/Fijm2008/programmation/fiche_en.aspx?showId=330
Stay in the old town -- we enjoyed Auberge du Vieux-Port -- and hit Steak Frites St-Paul for the best fries this side of Brussels.