Patrick Watson becomes first Montrealer since Leonard Cohen to win Jazz Fest Spirit Prize

Patrick Watson has become the first Montrealer since Leonard Cohen to receive the prestigious Montreal Jazz Festival Spirit Prize, an award recognizing "the quality and innovation" of his work on the international stage.

Watson joins a lineage of giants including Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, and The Roots. Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada presented the prize Thursday afternoon, describing the composer's work as a "musical universe, at once sensitive, audacious and profoundly human." She praised his ability to "push the boundaries of contemporary music and touch an audience at the four corners of the world."

The 40-something Hudson-born composer said Montreal is a "cadeau" (gift), and he is "honoured and proud to be here." Speaking at a media event anchored by André Ménard, co-founder of the Montreal Jazz Festival, Watson reflected on the formative concerts he attended as a teenager and the responsibility he now feels to inspire the next generation.

Watson's musical roots run deep in Montreal's francophone arts scene. He credits early exposure to artists like Fred Fortin, Karkwa, and painter Patrick Bernatchez with igniting his passion. Now, he says his work has transcended language and cultural barriers—English speakers sing his songs in French, and his shows have reached audiences in Mexico and the United States. That ability to bridge cultures is "profound" for someone who grew up in Hudson, "the middle of nowhere" on Montreal's outskirts.

One aspect of his career that moves him most is the intergenerational reach of his performances. Families often attend together across age groups, something he calls one of his favorite outcomes as an artist.

For his Friday headlining slot at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Watson has assembled a concert in "family" style, with special guests he considers close collaborators. The lineup includes emerging singer-songwriters Klô Pelgag, November Ultra, and Solann, alongside established artists including Martha Wainwright and acrobat Yoann Bourgeois.