Every July, despite the heat and smog, traffic, construction and whatever new Quebec language bill, I fall in love with my city. I understand why my father immigrated here in 1967 and why the Montreal International Jazz Festival is not only the largest in the world but one of the most loved.
This year I was lucky enough to catch some extraordinary artists that I had never seen before;
Hermanos Guttierez, Diana Krall and the legendary Buddy Guy. I was looking forward to seeing Macy Gray close the FESTIVAL. Then, only a few days before she was expected to perform, she cancelled.
The festival team had very limited time to fill a massive and prestigious spot. It wasn’t just a matter of finding available artists, but coordinating, rehearsing, and being able to draw a crowd worthy of such a task.
Luckily there were a few local artists who not only pulled through but represented our city with that exceptional spirit and soul that put the Montreal Jazz Festival on the map and made us all proud.
I have been following the career of Montreal soul singer Hanorah ever since I saw her open for Mavis Staples at POP Montreal in 2019. And the last time I saw her singing at a small venue, I told her that the next time I would see her would be in a larger place. I was not wrong.
There were only a handful of spectators around 6:30 at Club Montreal TD (outdoor stage) for her 7:00 pm set, but by her third song in, there was a river of people cascading down l’ esplanade Place des Arts. (At least 5000)
Hanorah was glowing under that hot July sun, setting off sparks as she danced across the stage with her infectious enthusiasm. She did a really fun version of “Going Down,” and her band played better than ever. I’m not embarrassed to say that this was the eighth time I’ve seen her perform, and I believe it was the most exciting (until she hit the grand stage).
Also invited to sing was Dominique Fils Aimee, who I spoke with before the show. She has recently released a few singles from her upcoming album, (EnSoul Records) and they are addictive and brilliant. I completely fangirlled and can’t remember what I said exactly but I did make her laugh. I may have mentioned that her lyrics are a mantra, and her voice is a healing force of power which soothes and uplifts me and that I really, really loved her.
Of course, I was excited. The anticipation had been building all week and this was the final night. The quartier des spectacles began getting increasingly crowded as thousands of people began to surround the main stage. The heat was suffocating, but the energy was electric.
This was my very first time seeing The Brooks and based on their performance, it will not be my last. Their vibe was exactly what we needed; a delicious blend of funk, soul and jazz and a stage presence that was able to draw in an audience in the calibre of The Roots, who closed last year’s festival. La Presse called them “the best-kept secret in Canadian funk,” and I would have to agree.
Dominique Fils Aimée joined them for two songs, “Love Take Over” and “Mind Made Up”. She emerged from the darkness in a long golden dress which flowed in the breeze and switched up the pace with her slow and sultry delivery. Standing perfectly still, she commanded our attention with the weight of her voice and the hypnotic gestures of her delicate hands. She was magnificent.
The Brooks band played a few more songs and then called out another supreme Montreal songstress. Hanorah bounced onto the stage, bursting with a vibrancy that permeated across the sea of people. She did“The Drudge” (accompanied by Christian Henegan-Comeau) and “Good Love” from her LP Perennial (EnSoul Records)and then ended with a heartfelt homage to Macy Gray.
I don’t know if Hanorah ever imagined, six years ago, when she was a contestant on La Voix, singing “I Try,” that she would be closing the Jazz Fest one day on the grand stage with that very song. I do know that all the stars aligned that night. Whether you were getting a marriage proposal in front of 80,000 people or getting your once-in-a-lifetime chance to shine, the 2023 Montreal International Jazz Festival will hold very special memories for all of the extraordinary artists who performed and all the lucky fans who get to say “ I was there.”
“I believe that fate has brought us here”
Review – Annette Aghazarian
Photos – Steve Gerrard & Annette Aghazarian
July 2023
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