History
Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2009, it is difficult to imagine the humble beginnings of the Montreal International Jazz Festival. The dream of the festival’s founder, Alain Simaird to “launch a jazz festival of truly international scale. A festival that would bring thousands of American tourists to Montreal,” was thwarted time and time again as his grant application was turned down continuously. It was only after his third year of trying, in 1982, that Sinaird finally got funding for his venture.
The first festival was planned to run in 1979 but was cancelled due to lack of funding, but in 1980, thanks to the sale of TV broadcasting rights, the first festival was actually held on Ile Sainte Helene. Stars of the time, such as Ray Charles and Vic Vogel entertained the crowd of 12,000 visitors and the Montreal International Jazz Festival was finally on the map!
In 1987, after seven hugely successful years that saw the Festival outgrow the island and move to the Latin Quarter, the city finally sat up and took notice of the huge potential an international jazz festival may have for Montreal. Funding was found and events were shifted to the heart of downtown Montreal, centering around the Complexe Desjardins and Place des Arts.
Today, the festival hosts almost 500 concerts each year and has become known as the ultimate jazz festival in the entire industry.
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