OFF JAZZ Festival – October 3-12, various venues LiveEvents September 30, 2014 5583 The OFF JAZZ Festival The OFF JAZZ Festival celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, with more than 160 musicians, 32 concerts, 7 launches and 10 venues. Premiering original projects and unexpected collaborations, the OFF JAZZ is very proud of supporting unique jazz expressions from Quebec. Program October 3, 2014 • The Muted Note – Susanna Hood & Scott Thomson • Opening Night: Lambert / Grogg – Michael Formanek Quartet October 4, 2014 • Peripheral Vision • The Muted Note • Roddy Ellias Trio • Mend Ham October 5, 2014 • The Muted Note • Carlos Jiménez Jogo Trio • Joe Sullivan Big Band – Sainct Laurens • Erik Hove Chamber Ensemble • Pink Saliva October 6, 2014 • Josh Rager & Donny Kennedy Octet October 8, 2014 • Kim Zombik • Jean Vanasse Quartet +1 • St-Jack Quartet Off/On • Kevin Warren – East West Project OCTOBER 9, 2014 • Trio Charles Trudel • Quartet Generations • Sonia Johnson • Canard Branchu • Kite Trio October 10, 2014 • Greg Amirault Trio • Thom Gossage Other Voices • Andy King Group • Kids Eat Crayons October 11, 2014 • Bête Ou Ne Pas Bête • Trio Marie-Claire Durand • Ratchet Orchestra October 12, 2014 • Bête Ou Ne Pas Bête How it Began… It was in the winter of 1999 that the idea first took seed among a tight-knit group of Montreal jazzmen: they wished to create an event in their own image, a custom-made vehicle that would encourage creative expression from Montreal. They decided to take charge of their destiny by developing their own festival. Normand Guilbeault, François Marcaurelle, Pierre St-Jak, Jean Vanasse, Ivanhoe Jolicoeur, Bob Olivier and Anne Bilodeau put their nose to the grindstone and within the span of a few months, without any means of financing, but with the loyal support of the local music community, the Musicians Union and of Jérôme Fèvres-Burdy from the Lion d’Or, they launched the first edition of the OFF Jazz Festival of Montreal. 15 years later, the festival has become a mainstay of Montreal’s cultural life. Still run by a committee composed of a majority of musicians, the festival has been able to preserve the values that underlie its mission. For more information: www.lofffestivaldejazz.com 514-524-0831
