MONTREAL (AFP) -- Prodigal Leonard Cohen is back in his home town to croon for Montreal's 29th international jazz festival this week, along with stars Aretha Franklin, Dave Brubeck, and Woody Allen on his clarinet.
“For years, we wanted to present these artists at the festival, but it took some time before they finally accepted our invitation," said Laurent Saulnier, programmer at the Montreal Jazz Festival -- one of the world's biggest.
“This year, the circumstances were favorable," he said.
The jazz festival officially opens Thursday with a concert to honor Cohen with various artists performing his songs, but the 73-year-old poet will not be part of the tribute itself, said organizers.
Rather, Cohen was to give Montreal audiences a taste Monday evening in his first hometown concert in 15 years, followed by two more sold-out shows Tuesday and Wednesday, before he heads off to Europe for a string of performances.
“For years, we wanted to present these artists at the festival, but it took some time before they finally accepted our invitation," said Laurent Saulnier, programmer at the Montreal Jazz Festival -- one of the world's biggest.
“This year, the circumstances were favorable," he said.
The jazz festival officially opens Thursday with a concert to honor Cohen with various artists performing his songs, but the 73-year-old poet will not be part of the tribute itself, said organizers.
Rather, Cohen was to give Montreal audiences a taste Monday evening in his first hometown concert in 15 years, followed by two more sold-out shows Tuesday and Wednesday, before he heads off to Europe for a string of performances.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
