The Upstairs Jazz Bar and Grill owner Joel Giberovitch has played an important role in the city’s larger jazz festival for decades. With the exposed brick and stone walls, intimate stage and welcoming bar, patrons could be forgiven if they thought they were in New York. But that look and décor was carefully planned by Joel to replicate New York jazz bars he studied prior to opening ‘Upstairs. There is irony in the club’s name as you go down a few stairs to enter Upstairs.

Here’s a look at some of the talented international and local artists who will be performing during The Upstairs evenings of the Montreal International Jazz Festival.

Pianist Taurey Butler and saxophonist Rémi Bolduc will lead off the Jazz Festival on Thursday, June 27. Originally from New Jersey, Taurey has performed in cities from Hong Kong to New York and from France to South Africa. Rémi Bolduc is a well-respected musician and educator at McGill University. There will be two shows.

Montrealer Dawn Tyler Watson will perform a Tribute to Dinal Washington on Friday, also for two shows. Dawn is an award-winning blues and jazz performer and performer.

The Andres Vial Quartet will perform two shows on Saturday, June 29. Andres will be accompanied by Billy Hart, Craig Handy and Ira Coleman.

The six-man Huntertones will bring their urban funk music to the Upstairs stage in promises to be an evening of hot music on June 30. Sultry and urbane songstress Laura Anglade will take the stage on July 1.

The elegantly dressed drummer Joe Farnsworth and his quartet will perform with Sarah Hanahan on July 2, followed by the Miki Yamanako and Mike Bruzzese Quartet on July 3. Benny Green will perform solo piano on July 4.

The Upstairs Jazz Festival will conclude on a high with four shows on July 5 and 6 consecutive evenings.

For more information and video performances of the scheduled artists, please visit the Upstairs Jazz bar & Grill website: www.upstairsjazz.com Please call for tickets between 9am and 5 pm: 514-931-6808. Enjoy!