Arts & Culture

Maple Jazz Festival Returns to Montreal With Global Line-Up

After a two-year pause, the beloved event brings international and homegrown talent back to the big stage.

Published March 22, 2025 | By Kenzie Liu

The Maple Jazz Festival is back in full swing this spring, marking its return to Montreal after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

With over 100 acts from 12 countries, the festival will run across 10 venues throughout the city, blending traditional jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and avant-garde experimentation.

Headliners include Japanese pianist Akiko Yano, South African trumpet virtuoso Themba Jali, and Canada’s own Polaris-nominated saxophonist Noor Williams.

Festival director Jacques Lemay said this year’s edition is about reconnection. 'Jazz thrives on spontaneity and presence. This year, that presence is charged with gratitude.'

In addition to concerts, the festival will host daytime workshops, jam sessions, and outdoor performances in local parks and plazas.

Several shows will be free to attend, thanks to partnerships with local businesses and the Quebec Arts Council.

Organizers are also highlighting emerging Indigenous talent, with two showcase nights dedicated to artists blending traditional instrumentation and modern jazz improvisation.

A dedicated youth stage will give under-18 musicians a platform to perform alongside professionals, fostering mentorship and discovery.

Montreal tourism officials expect the event to draw over 40,000 attendees, offering a welcome boost to local restaurants and hotels.

As Lemay put it during the launch: 'Jazz is always about the next note, the next conversation. This year, that next note sounds like home.'