Montreal Jazz Festival Adds Kamasi Washington and John Coltrane Listening Event to 2026 Lineup

The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal has announced final additions to its 2026 program, expanding its lineup with international performers, new local showcases, and additional late-night events. The festival will take place from June 25 to July 4.

Saxophonist Kamasi Washington is set to return to the main stage after performing at the festival in 2022. He joins a revised lineup that also includes singer-songwriter KELS, experimental bassist MonoNeon, and electronic-jazz duo DOMi & JD BECK. 

The festival will also mark the 100th anniversary of John Coltrane’s birth with a special event at its Académie program. In collaboration with Verve Records executive Ken Druker, the festival will present a preview of previously unreleased Coltrane recordings from the early 1960s. The material is scheduled for official release in September under the title The Tiberi Tapes: A Preview of the Mythic Recordings.

Additionally, the Académie program has expanded for 2026 following its growth in the previous year. It will again offer free public events focused on artist discussions and masterclasses. Sessions will be held primarily at the Monument-National venue and will be open to attendees on a first-come, first-served basis.

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This year’s Académie lineup includes producer and rapper The Alchemist, who will lead discussions on music production and cross-generational hip-hop influences. Harpist Brandee Younger will also host a masterclass focused on her approach to contemporary jazz performance.

The festival has also added new programming across its indoor and club stages. At Club Montréal Loto-Québec, Juno-nominated drummer Salin will perform, presenting a style that blends northern Thai musical influences with West African psychedelic rhythms. Pianist Vincent Gagnon and drummer P-E Beaudoin will also present their project Ping Pong Go.

Several new opening acts have been confirmed for major indoor concerts. Franco-Gabonese singer-songwriter Anaïs Cardot will open for Diana Krall at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. Cellist and composer Lucinda Chua will open for St. Vincent at the same venue.

Late-night programming will continue under the “After Jazz” series, running daily from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. The series includes PHONO, a pop-up bar with DJ sets curated in partnership with Ferias and Music Is My Sanctuary.

Additional late-night performances will take place at Le Balcon, featuring sets that span jazz, hip-hop, R&B, soul, and rock. Meanwhile, the Cabaret Havana Club will host acoustic brass bands and jazz quartets performing salsa, swing, and groove-based sets.

For more information and additional details, festivalgoers can visit the official Montreal Jazz Festival website. 

Montreal Jazz Festival 2026 Lineup