Montalvo Flamenko Jazz (formerly Pachuco Flamenko Jazz) is a project led by Jheinsen Montalvo (El Pachuco), Montreal guitarist, of Salvadorian origin, having learned Flamenco Guitar in Andalusia (Spain) and from international masters. It is a group of variable ensembles: quintet, quartet, trio or duo. Inspired by the flamenco/jazz movement, it features original music after his self-titled EP. The repertoire consists of bulerías, alegrías, tangos and other ''palos flamenco'' with jazzy arrangements which allow the remarkable improvisation of high caliber musicians. We find the spirit and rhythm of flamenco alongside the sophisticated jazz harmony. Set as a duo, guitar-piano, for this occasion.

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

‘Mondays’ heat up at Dièse Onze jazz club in the company of an all-star lineup, featuring virtuosos from Montreal’s Latin jazz scene. Son, rumba, timba and salsa rhythms drive and an exciting repertoire of original compositions as well as some innovative arrangements of traditional themes drawn from the very heart of Cuba.

Taylor Donaldson is an active member of the Montreal music scene, working as a trombonist, composer/arranger and music copyist. He directs his own 17-piece big band that plays from a growing book of his arrangements and compositions, along with music written by other members of the group. The band's repertoire brings together jazz standards and original compositions in the great tradition of big band jazz. Two sets of swinging, straight-ahead music on the menu for Big Band Tuesdays!

Benjamin Deschamps, Jason Stillman, Annie Dominique, Michael Johancsik, Philippe Côté - saxophones / Dominic Rossi, Andy King, Lex French, Nicolas Boulay - trumpets / Taylor Donaldson, David Martin, Olivier Hébert, Colin Lloyd, Jean-Sébastien Vachon - trombones / Jonathan Cayer - piano / Sébastien Pellerin - bass / Louis-Vincent Hamel - drums

Cover Charge: volontary contribution

Alex Bellegarde’s dynamic Tuesday jam session has become one of Montreal’s hippest weekly jazz events. The first set fires up with Bellegarde and his trio, playing host to a range of well known talents from the Montreal scene as well as musicians from out of town. The jam opens in the second set, to any jazz musician with the confidence to step up and play…there’s an unspoken rule though: “If you can’t keep up, you shouldn’t be on stage”. A great place to play and chill…. the jam continues on into the early hours!

Alex Bellegarde Trio and guest

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

If you’re a fan of the acoustic sound of guitars, saxophone and upright bass, then you’re in for a treat. On the menu, authentic swing and a few seldomly heard classic songs. Eclectic Django (for the great Django Reinhardt) perform an American and European repertoire of pre-war jazz, but don’t be surprised if you recognize a classic French tune or two - jazz music permitting all incursions. This early evening event has been animating the Wednesdays of the Dièse Onze for six years already - and there’s no signs of quitting! A friendly Atmosphere, great music and solid musicians are guaranteed - welcome!

François Rousseau - guitar / Alex Leblanc - double bass / Jody Golick - saxophone

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

Ce trompettiste franco-montréalais fait partie de cette très talentueuse nouvelle scène locale qui développe un jazz moderne, subtilement teinté d’électronique et emporté par un esprit rock. Hichem recrée The RH Factor, l’une des œuvres les plus emblématiques de Roy Hargrove, tristement disparu en 2018.

Hichem Khalfa - trompette / Julien Filion - saxophone alto / Sebastien Grenier - saxophone ténor et baryton / Marie Christine Dépestre - voix / Daniel Thouin - moog et wurlitzer / Noam Guerrier Freud - batterie / Zachary Boileau - guitare / Jonathan Arseneault - basse

New Zealand-born jazz trumpet player Lex French is described in his home country as “the leading local voice on the instrument” (John Fenton – Jazz Local 32), and is making his name in NZ and abroad as an instrumentalist and educator. He is also a sought-after composer and arranger, and has recently been commissioned to write works for string quartet, jazz orchestra, and massed trombone choir. In August 2016, Lex relocated to Montreal, where his most recent engagements have included playing with the Christine Jensen-Lex French Quartet, the Jim Doxas Quartet, Joel Miller's Dream Cassette, the Yannick Rieu Nonet, The National Jazz Orchestra of Montreal (ONJM), The Emie Roussel Trio, Mark Nelson’s Sympathetic Frequencies, and the Eric Harding Quartet. Lex has recorded or performed with international artists including Bennie Maupin, Aaron Parks, Diana Krall, Patti Austin, Kurt Elling, Paul Anka, Cheyenne Jackson (30 Rock), Andy Bell (Erasure), Bob Mintzer, Bill Cunliffe, Eric Marienthal, Alex Sipiagin, Jean-Michel Pilc, Ryan Truesdell, James Muller, Luis Bonilla, Dick Oatts, Joe LaBarbera, Clay Jenkins, Jim Pugh, Steve Houghton, Jeff Driskill, John Fedchock, Tom Warrington, Larry Koonse, Chris Cain, Bob Sheppard, Fima Ephron, Bill Ware, and Esdra 'Nenem' Ferreira. He has also released two albums as a leader: The Cut (2014) and Prevent the Future (2017). He holds a Master’s degree in Jazz from McGill University, where he is currently pursuing his Doctorate with John Hollenbeck.

Lex French - trumpet / Taurey Butler - piano / Adrian Vedady - double bass / Guillaume Pilote - drum

Fascinated by the music of French Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, Taiwanese-Canadian guitarist Denis Chang’s spent his formative years alongside the Gypsies of France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany, where he learned to play the style of music that is now known as Gypsy Jazz. There, he learned to understand the Romany way of life, and was completely immersed in the culture. He is one of the few gadje (non-Gypsy) to have learned Romanes, the language of the Gypsies. In concerts, he is one of the very few outside of the Gypsy community to sing rare Gypsy songs in Romanes. Audiences can expect to learn more about Gypsy culture and the meaning behind these rare songs!

Denis Chang - guitar / Seoyeon Hokage Im - violin (Corée / NYC) / Ruah Squirtle Kim - violin (Corée / NYC) / Andy Mac - guitar / Olivier Georget - bass

Jean-Michel Pilc (born 1960 in Paris, France) is a self-taught jazz pianist currently residing in Montreal. His technical ability has drawn comparisons to Michel Petrucciani, McCoy Tyner, and Cecil Taylor. Of particular note is Pilc's left-hand technique, which provides an almost ambidextrous approach to the keyboard. In addition to his own projects, he is a member of a group led by drummer Ari Hoenig.

Jean-Michel Pilc - piano / Morgan Moore - double bass / Robbie Kuster - drum

Tevet Sela is saxophonist, flutist and composer. Over the last decade, Tevet has been leading his quartet, which exclusively performs his original compositions. In his repertoire, Tevet weaves together elements of Jazz and funk with African and Middle Eastern music.

Tevet Sela - saxophone / John Roney - piano / Ben Riley - drums / Olivier Babaz - bass

Steve Amirault is considered to be one of the most accomplished artists in Canada. The Toronto-based, Nova Scotia-born musician has released five celebrated albums and is currently preparing his new recording, this time delving into timeless songs from the American popular songbook. His world-class piano playing, combined with his rich, soulful baritone voice, make Steve Amirault a performer not to be missed. Some of Amirault’s honours and prizes include: laureate of the Montreal International Jazz Festival Competition; Prix Opus (Album of the Year for "Breath"); two Juno Awards for collaborations with François Carrier on “Compassion” and Christine Jensen on “Treelines”; three-time National Jazz Awards Canada nominee (Best Keyboardist, Best Acoustic Group, and Best Album); ADISQ Nomination for Best Jazz Album for “Breath” and winner of a Felix Award (ADISQ) for his contribution to "Hommage à Charlie Parker", an album by Rémi Bolduc.

Steve Amirault - piano / Adrian Vedady - double bass / Andre White - drum

La musique rassemble et nous ouvre sur un monde de moments uniques et spontanés. Un langage universel qui donne lieu à toutes sortes de converses musicales et le jazz s’y prête particulièrement bien! C’est dans cet esprit que Kim Richardson, John Sadowy et Karl Surprenant souhaitent échanger pour les soirées « Jam Vocal Jazz ». Que de la musique, sans frontière, entre amis, tout ça dans l’atmosphère chaleureuse qu’offre le Dièse Onze. On vous attend tous les dimanches, pour un standard ou deux. Apportez vos partitions ou votre tonalité.

Kim Richardson - voix / John Sadowy - piano / Karl Surprenant - contrebasse

Entrée: contribution volontaire

Montalvo Flamenko Jazz (formerly Pachuco Flamenko Jazz) is a project led by Jheinsen Montalvo (El Pachuco), Montreal guitarist, of Salvadorian origin, having learned Flamenco Guitar in Andalusia (Spain) and from international masters. It is a group of variable ensembles: quintet, quartet, trio or duo. Inspired by the flamenco/jazz movement, it features original music after his self-titled EP. The repertoire consists of bulerías, alegrías, tangos and other ''palos flamenco'' with jazzy arrangements which allow the remarkable improvisation of high caliber musicians. We find the spirit and rhythm of flamenco alongside the sophisticated jazz harmony. Set as a duo, guitar-piano, for this occasion.

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

‘Mondays’ heat up at Dièse Onze jazz club in the company of an all-star lineup, featuring virtuosos from Montreal’s Latin jazz scene. Son, rumba, timba and salsa rhythms drive and an exciting repertoire of original compositions as well as some innovative arrangements of traditional themes drawn from the very heart of Cuba.

Ben Deschamps - alto sax / François d'Amour - alto sax / David Bellemare - tenor sax / Mario Allard - tenor sax / Jean Fréchette - baritone sax / Matthieu Van Vliet - trombone / Taylor Donaldson - trombone / Olivier Hébert - trombone / Jean-Sébastien Vachon - bass trombone / Dominic Léveillé - trumpet / Maxime St-Pierre - trumpet / Jacques Kuba Séguin - trumpet / David Carbonneau - trumpet / Nicolas Boulay - trumpet / Charles Trudel - piano / Sébastien Pellerin - double bass / Al Bourgeois - drum

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

Alex Bellegarde’s dynamic Tuesday jam session has become one of Montreal’s hippest weekly jazz events. The first set fires up with Bellegarde and his trio, playing host to a range of well known talents from the Montreal scene as well as musicians from out of town. The jam opens in the second set, to any jazz musician with the confidence to step up and play…there’s an unspoken rule though: “If you can’t keep up, you shouldn’t be on stage”. A great place to play and chill…. the jam continues on into the early hours!

Alex Bellegarde Trio and guest

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

If you’re a fan of the acoustic sound of guitars, saxophone and upright bass, then you’re in for a treat. On the menu, authentic swing and a few seldomly heard classic songs. Eclectic Django (for the great Django Reinhardt) perform an American and European repertoire of pre-war jazz, but don’t be surprised if you recognize a classic French tune or two - jazz music permitting all incursions. This early evening event has been animating the Wednesdays of the Dièse Onze for six years already - and there’s no signs of quitting! A friendly Atmosphere, great music and solid musicians are guaranteed - welcome!

François Rousseau - guitar / Alex Leblanc - double bass / Jody Golick - saxophone

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

Ce trompettiste franco-montréalais fait partie de cette très talentueuse nouvelle scène locale qui développe un jazz moderne, subtilement teinté d’électronique et emporté par un esprit rock. Hichem recrée The RH Factor, l’une des œuvres les plus emblématiques de Roy Hargrove, tristement disparu en 2018.

Hichem Khalfa - trompette / Julien Filion - saxophone alto / Sebastien Grenier - saxophone ténor et baryton / Marie Christine Dépestre - voix / Daniel Thouin - moog et wurlitzer / Noam Guerrier Freud - batterie / Zachary Boileau - guitare / Jonathan Arseneault - basse

Christine Tassan was born in France but emigrated to Quebec in 1994. Her musical migration led from her first love, singing, through classical guitar and songwriting before bringing her to a serious study of Swing guitar à la Django. You can recognize and enjoy all these influences in the music she plays.

Cover Charge: voluntary contribution

Susie Arioli had been singing in jazz clubs in Montreal when she met guitarist Jordan Officer at a jam led by Stephen Barry. Together they started the Susie Arioli Band. Their first big opportunity came in 1998. After a successful outdoor show, they were asked by the Montreal International Jazz Festival to open for Ray Charles. The band's opening set got the attention of Montreal critics, and soon after it released the debut album, It's Wonderful. Arioli has received several Juno nominations. Her second album, Pennies from Heaven, was the last recording of jazz pianist Ralph Sutton. Her third album, That's for Me, was produced by John Snyder. Her fourth album, Learn to Smile Again, was a departure and featured six songs by country songwriter Roger Miller. For the fifth album, Night Lights, she returned to jazz with a collection of standards. All the albums featured guitarist Jordan Officer. In an article in Atlantic Monthly, Arioli was recognized by jazz writer Francis Davis as an emerging jazz talent.

Susie Arioli - vocal / Paul Shrofel - piano / Jim Bland - guitar / Mike DeMasi - double bass

Composer and tenor saxophonist Yannick Rieu is one of the finest musicians - in any genre of music - to have emerged from Québec, and one who’s also enjoyed an international career for many years, particularly in France. As early as 1988, Down Beat, the American bible of jazz, ranked him amongst the 20 most promising sax players in the world along side Branford Marsalis, Joe Lovano and Courtney Pine. Since then, he’s been collecting rave reviews in jazz publications in the U.S., France and Canada for his recordings and his live performances.

Yannick Rieu - saxophone / Kevin Warren - drum / Morgan Moore - double bass / Jean-Sébastien Williams - guitar

Composer and tenor saxophonist Yannick Rieu is one of the finest musicians - in any genre of music - to have emerged from Québec, and one who’s also enjoyed an international career for many years, particularly in France. As early as 1988, Down Beat, the American bible of jazz, ranked him amongst the 20 most promising sax players in the world along side Branford Marsalis, Joe Lovano and Courtney Pine. Since then, he’s been collecting rave reviews in jazz publications in the U.S., France and Canada for his recordings and his live performances.

Yannick Rieu - saxophone / Kevin Warren - drum / Morgan Moore - double bass / Jean-Sébastien Williams - guitar

Benoit Charest was born in Montréal in 1964 to an English mother and a French Canadian father. At the age of 13, Benoit developed a passion for the guitar and began to play by ear songs of the Beatles and Led Zeppelin. Inevitably, he discovered jazz and at 17, he decided to take private classes with Neil Smolar, a graduate of the Boston’s Berkley School of Music. Smolar taught Benoit the basics of musical harmony while helping him express his genuine talent through jazz. During his university studies, Benoit earned his living by playing with the best jazzmen of Montreal. In 1991, he wrote the score for the NFB’s documentary Montreal Retro. Since then, he has composed about twenty soundtracks, notably The Triplettes de Belleville for which he won the César of the Best Film Music and a nomination for the Academy Award Best Song. Benoit has also composed music for the television, the theatre and publicity agencies. Recently, he wrote the soundtrack for Cordell Barker’s comedy Runaway, , Ryan Redford’s Oliver Sherman and Denis Villeneuve’s controversial film Polytechnique. He won a Jutra award for the music of Louis Bélanger’s Route 132 and worked on Martin Villeneuve’s film Mars & Avril. Benoit also worked on a few international productions including : Analaine Calymayor’s The Boy Who Smells Like Fish, Thierry Binisti’s A Bottle in the Gaza Sea and Juan Diego Solanas’ Upside Down.