Beach Boy Brian Wilson and former Fugees singer Lauryn Hill will be among the headliners at the 2016 edition of the Montreal International Jazz Festival.
Wilson will be playing his classic Pet Sounds album, which is 50-years-old this year, in its entirety.
“Since it’s his farewell tour, it doubles the emotion to have Brian Wilson there,” said Jazz Festival artistic director Andre Menard. “The full instrumentation of the album will be played on stage. To me, it’s a pretty big blessing.”
Pop singer Rufus Wainwright will be performing an opera called Prima Donna and will be performing a separate concert of his own material
Jazz pianist Chick Corea will be back with a trio featuring Christian McBride and Brian Blade.
The Sugarhill Gang, widely credited with pioneering hip hop, and Kool and the Gang will also perform.
Local legends Oliver Jones and Guy Nadon chose to play farewell shows at the festival.
“[It’s been] 33 years I've been playing at the Jazz Festival,” Nadon said.
Singer Melody Gardot, who has played at the festival in previous years, will be performing two headlining concerts at Place des Arts.
Aside from the headliners, Menard said there will be plenty of up-and-comers on the festival’s stages.
“We have loads of new musicians who are excited to play the festival for the first time,” said Menard. “It’s all about discoveries and the balance between stars and new artists.”
And don't be surprised if there's a nod or two to Prince at this year's festival.
“The shows that he gave at the festival in 2001 and then a few years ago when he played two nights at the metropolis are among the best shows I've ever seen period,” Menard said.
The festival runs from June 29 to July 9.
