Montreal jazz vocalist Dominique Fils-Aimé will release a live recording of her performance at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal this Friday, capturing what many consider one of the standout performances from last summer’s festival.
Live at The Montreal International Jazz Festival drops June 6 via Ensoul Records, documenting the main stage show from June 29, 2024. The 14-track album features Fils-Aimé reimagining songs from across her catalogue with an expanded band of 16 musicians, including nine backing vocalists.
The JUNO Award winner performed selections spanning her four albums, from her blues-heavy debut Nameless through her latest release Our Roots Run Deep. The recording showcases her expanded vocal range and improvised melodies alongside the band’s willingness to take creative risks, introducing fresh arrangements that transform familiar material.
Several tracks flow seamlessly together, creating what the album’s liner notes describe as an intentional narrative structure of energetic transformation. The set includes dynamic interpretations of crowd favourites like “Love Take Over” and “Tall Lion Down” alongside more contemplative moments such as “Fall And All,” where the crowd falls silent, emphasizing the transcendent quality in Dominique’s voice.
The album was recorded by Simon Lévesque and later edited and mixed by Jacques Roy and Simon Lévesque at Les Studios Opus. The physical release features a six-panel digipak with artwork by Siou-Min Julien and photography by Nadim Zakkour.
This summer marks a significant touring period for the Haitian-Canadian artist. She’s confirmed to perform at Jazz à Vienne in France, opening for Jamie Cullum, and will appear at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam. The festival circuit follows her recent Winter Jazzfest appearance in New York.
Fils-Aimé has built her reputation on what she describes as exploring the roots of African American musical tradition. Her previous albums have earned critical acclaim and commercial success, with Stay Tuned! winning the 2020 JUNO Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year and Our Roots Run Deep claiming the same honour in 2024.
The live album represents a departure from her trilogy format, offering instead a snapshot of her artistic evolution in a festival setting where she has previously sold out multiple shows. For many attendees, the June performance represented the culmination of her journey from local Montreal talent to internationally recognized jazz artist.
Photo – Alexandre Cotton and Steve Gerrard
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