Wow! There is a load of great Jazz going on this week. Don’t just hit the official festival shows though or you will miss out on a lot of great talent.

The Montreal Bistro presents George Coleman Quartet with Gary Williamson, Neil Swainson & Barry Elmes for a run of show from tonight till July 1.

Catch the Tim Posgate’s Reduction Trio at The Red Guitar, followed by the Robi Botos Trio. Robi is back again Friday night, and be sure to stick it out till the wee hours for the Midnight V.I.P. Jazz Jam Session. Saturday bassist Michel Donato & European Friends are centre stage. Legendary Canadian bassist Michel Donato has played with notables like Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass and Bill Evans. Here he joins his European friends, Polish trumpeter Piotr Wojtasik, guitarist Michael Felberbaum, and two Canadian musicians living in France, tenor saxophonist François Théberge and young drummer Karl Jannuska.

Swing Rosie is in tonight at The Dominion on Queen, and by the Late night Jazz Jam hoated by the Ken Skinner Trio. These are going till 4am during the Jazz Festival. Friday brings in Julie Mahedran and another Late night Jazz Jam. Kirk MacDonald and Lorne Lofsky are in Sunday and always worth checking out.

The Rob McConnell Tentet is at The Rex. Rob McConnell is legend in these here parts, and your Jazz Fest wouldn’t be complete without checking him and his band out. The Shannon Butcher Trio is in Saturday followed by Kelly Jefferson at 9:30pm.

Cheers!
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