Humid summer air resonates with the sound of the Montreal Jazz Festival. Once again Montreal downtown is blocked off to traffic. An area covering 4 city blocks has been turned into an outdoor concert fiesta with a multitude of stages, tents, exhibitions and dazzling colours.

The Montreal Jazz Festival is one of the largest festivals on the yearly calendar and attracts huge numbers of visitors and locals alike. It is the largest annual Jazz festival in the world and each year it becomes bigger and brighter.

Renowned Jazz, Blues and Swing artists from all around the globe perform non-stop over a two week period. Performances begin from 1.30pm every afternoon and continue until well after midnight ever evening. Visiting the festival youll find yourself drifting along with the crowd from one outdoor stage to another. Soaking up the sultry sounds of Jazz, stopping occasionally for a glass of wine or a cool refreshing beer at one of the many strategically placed watering holes. Those feeling peckish can grab a bite at one of the mini outdoor bbqs or treat yourself to something more substantial at one of the many bustling restaurants lining Rue St- Catherine, just dont be in a rush to be seated! At least your wait will be accompanied by good music, and really its the music that everyone has come for.

All the outdoor concerts and activities at the Montreal Jazz Festival are free with dozens of artists performing regularly on one of the many outside stages over the course of the festival. It would be a wise idea to plan a few evening outings to the festival to really take in the whole event. Also, time and money permitting, booking tickets and taking in one of the paid headlining concerts held on the indoor stage in Place des Arts is without doubt a fantastic experience and the perfect way to round off one of the most celebrated of Montreals many festivals.

This year's Montreal Jazz Festival Runs from the 29th of June to the 9th of July, 2006.