Jazz fest closes with rock, rap, and Saharan guitar under perfect skies

The 46th edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal closed on July 5, with a final weekend of ideal weather after rain disrupted earlier days. The sun held as Etran de l'Aïr took the stage on the Quartier des spectacles esplanade at 7 p.m., and the crowd responded to the Niger quartet's Saharan rock with hand-clapping energy.

Etran de l'Aïr, a group of two electrifying guitarists, a bassist, and a drummer from Agadez, delivered compositions built on enchanting guitar motifs anchored by rock rhythm. The ensemble played with intensity throughout the hour, tempering their pace only once with a slower, more swaying piece. More raw than Tinariwen and less psychedelic than Mdou Moctar, the group proved itself a strong fit for outdoor festival stages.

At 9 p.m., contrabassist Christian McBride returned to the Théâtre Maisonneuve with guitarist Julian Lage, who became the target of McBride's good-natured jokes throughout the evening. McBride noted that Lage had joined Bob Dylan's orchestra, quipping that now Lage would earn good money from folk and pop — "but please, do not forget us, jazz folks!" McBride himself had won a Grammy earlier this year for his album Without Further Ado, Vol. 1 with Big Band.

The duo traded solos in a joyful atmosphere rooted in the jazz tradition and the blues colouring Lage's compositions. They played Lage's originals alongside standards, including Wayne Shorter's "Footprints," Duke Ellington, and Thelonius Monk — "because with Monk, you can't go wrong," McBride said. The Théâtre Maisonneuve filled to capacity.

Next up is the Festival International Nuits d'Afrique, celebrating its 40th anniversary in the Quartier des spectacles.