Magic musical nights in Montreal parks this summer

 

From the Concerts Campbell series, 2015

Montreal is well known for its series of summer festivals in the Quartier des Spectacles and Parc Jean-Drapeau, but locals know that you don’t need to gather in crowded spaces or pay high prices to experience a little open-air musical magic.

You don’t necessarily need to leave your neighbourhood either, as the city’s seasonal cultural programming is bringing a wide range of bands — representing styles all over the musical map — to parks across the city. Here is a rundown of free shows coming to Côte-des-Neiges, St-Henri, Verdun, Ville Émard and LaSalle.

July 21

Montreal musicians pay tribute to 1960s Latino-pop star and trumpet master Herb Alpert, namely Ron Di Lauro and Marc Bolduc (trumpets), Richard Gagnon (trombone), Jimmy Di Stefano (guitar), Robin Chemtov (keys), Gilbert Joanis (bass), Richard Irwin (drums). In the event of rain, the show will take place at Maison de la Culture Marie-Uguay.

Parc Garneau (Sud-Ouest), 7 p.m.

July 22

The Julie Lamontagne Trio bridges her award-winning “jazz actuel” and classical music, playing compositions by Rachmaninov, Debussy, Bach, Ravel, Chopin, Haendel, Brahms and Fauré with jazz arrangements, played by pianist Lamontagne, bassist Dave Watts and drummer Richard Irwin.

Parc Sir-Georges-Étienne-Cartier (Sud-Ouest), 7 p.m.

Jazzamboka

July 23

Jazzamboka is a Québécois quintet featuring two band members with Congolese heritage — their name combines “jazz” and “yamboka,” which means village/country in the Lingala language. Their music combines jazz with Congolese soukous as well as hip hop, be-bop, funk, rock and electronic music, with traditional African instruments  lokolé and ngoma as well as electric bass, sax and keys.

Parc Jean-Brillant (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce/Côte-des-Neiges), 7 p.m.

July 31

Pianist Marie-Christine Poirier and violinist Vanessa Marcoux play an eclectic range of music, from classical to tango to klezmer.

Moulin Fleming (LaSalle), 2 p.m.

Aug. 2

From Saguenay-Lac Saint-Jean, Chassepareil (formerly known as Sweetgrass) play a style of country folk that combines the contemporary and the classic.

Parc Grenier (Verdun), 7 p.m.

Dawn Tyler Watson

Aug. 4

Get festive to the Balkan beat of les Gitans de Sarajevo, a local ensemble rooted in the roma spirit of their homeland, led by showman Boris Bartula.

Parc Garneau (Ville Émard), 7 p.m.

Aug. 5

Though she’s known as a jazz singer for being a mainstay at local venues like Upstairs, the great Dawn Tyler Watson and her trio specialize in blues, soul, R&B, swing and gospel. Take this opportunity to hear Watson and the band, who recently released a new record called Jawbreaker!

Parc Sir-Georges-Étienne-Cartier (Sud-Ouest), 7 p.m.

Aug. 6

Montreal’s Metropolitan Orchestra performs as part of the annual Concerts Campbell series.

Parc de West Vancouver (Verdun), 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 9

The Jazz Street Boyz, featuring Jerôme Dupuis-Cloutier on trumpet and Dominic Desjardins on banjo and vocals, started their career as buskers in 2010, drawing crowds with their classic New Orleans-style jazz sound. Their debut album features guests Bernard Adamus and Groenland’s Sabrina Halde, but their live show is where they really shine.

Esplanade de la Pointe-Nord (Verdun), 7 p.m.

Aug. 10

Enjoy classic tango music by composers including Piazzola, Pugliese and Salgán played by Quinteto Cinco Esquinas, formed in Argentina — a unique experience in the open-air and riverside.

Plancher de danse – Serres municipales (Verdun), 7 p.m.

Aug. 11

Acero y Madera Trio unites flamenco, jazz and classical music, interpreting classics and playing their own original compositions. In the event of rain, the show will take place at Maison de la Culture Marie-Uguay.

Parc Garneau (Sud-Ouest), 7 p.m.

Bïa

Aug. 13

See Francophone pop singer/songwriter Sally Folk, who’s a star on the rise judging from the catchy hit tune “Les heures de visite.”

Parc de l’Honorable-George-O’Reilly (Verdun), 7 p.m.

Aug. 15

For a true spectacle, see la Pourpour: a 19-piece orchestra with vocals, trumpets, saxophones, clarinets, guitars, banjo, accordions, violins, percussion, euphonium and musical saw.

Parc J.D. Ducharme (LaSalle), 7 p.m.

Aug. 18

Pop chanteuse and guitarist Bïa delivers her buoyant tunes and lyrical poetry accompanied by Sheila Hannigan (violoncello), Dan Gigon (bass) and Fabrice Laurent (drums).

Parc Sir-Georges-Étienne-Cartier (Sud-Ouest), 7 p.m.

Don’t miss Karkwa’s Louis-Jean Cormier, who has emerged from the core of beloved, award-winning indie rock band as a great singer-songwriter.

Parc de l’Honorable-George-O’Reilly (Verdun), 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 20

POP Montreal’s annual Bike-In comes to Côte-des-Neiges, in collaborations with the Maisons de la Cultures in CDN and NDG. Expect live music as well as food and artisan vendors, family activities and a film screening after dark.

Parc Jean-Brillant (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce/Côte-des-Neiges), 2 p.m.

For more information about these concerts, and to see the city’s complete cultural programming for the summer of 2016, visit the Accès Culture and À Nous Montréal websites.