Montreal Cultural Calendar

High Klassified is a multi-platinum producer known for his bold, experimental approach and distinctive sound, blending complex rhythms, ethereal melodies, and avant-garde textures. Active since 2011, he has become one of the most innovative figures in modern music production.
He has collaborated with major artists including A-Trak, Damso, Future, Hamza, The Weeknd, and Zach Zoya, moving fluidly between Francophone and Anglophone scenes. His work has taken him across the world, with projects in cities such as Los Angeles, Paris, London, Berlin, Seoul, New York, and Shanghai.
In 2025, he marks a pivotal year with a European tour, multiple festival appearances in Quebec, and the release of RAVARU, a French-language project featuring key artists from the current scene. He also launches the first single from Misstape, a new collaboration with Zach Zoya.
Based in Laval, he continues to refine his sound and shape the future of contemporary music production through constant creative exploration.

See the full After Jazz at PHONO schedule

To mark the centennial of John Coltrane, this special conversation offers a deep dive into the legacy of the legendary saxophonist through a world premiere presentation of selections from the mythical “Tiberi Tapes,” hosted by Ken Druker of Verve Records. The discussion will revisit the pivotal early to mid-1960s period, marked by the recording of the Tiberi Tapes and the creation of the iconic album A Love Supreme.
The audience will also discover the little-known connection between Blue World and Montréal through filmmaker Gilles Groulx and the National Film Board of Canada. Through listening sessions, conversation, and reflection, this event will explore Coltrane’s enduring impact on jazz and the arts, as well as the reasons why his music continues to inspire and resonate with audiences today. A question-and-answer session will conclude the event. The discussion will be led by Ken Druker of Verve Records.
The discussion will be held in English. The festival will provide access to an AI-powered simultaneous translation application available on mobile devices, offering translation into all languages. With Samuel Blais as a moderator.

Anna Webber-tenor sax/flute

Sarah Rossy-voice/keyboards

Chiquita Magic-keyboards/voice

John Hollenbeck-drums/piano/composition

John Hollenbeck formed GEORGE during the Covid pandemic. He brought together three great musicians/people whom he loved and admired for a long time!  Even though most of the members had never met each other, John was confident from knowing them himself, that this group would immediately be, as one of the members calls it, "tight" (which means "very cool" in case you were wondering). Their group sound is firmly planted outside any categories or labels!  They remotely recorded a literal "Proof of Concept" in March 2021 and finally met in person in January 2022 in Montreal, Canada where they recorded "Letters to George", which was released on vinyl/cd/digitally on Out Of Your Head Records in January 27, 2023.

CIBL 101.5 will broadcast a special cultural program live from Montreal Jazz Fest to bring the excitement of the event to its listeners and to welcome the featured artists performing on the various stages. Interviews lasting 5 to 8 minutes will be conducted with them to discuss their show, their music, their artistic approach, and their creative universe.

Hansom Ēli is a Montreal-based duo formed in 2019 by siblings Camille and Alexy Guérer. Camille writes the lyrics and sings, while Alexy, a multi-instrumentalist and producer, composes the melodies.
Their music blends folk, R&B, funk, and indie pop, drawing comparisons to artists like Feist and Christine and the Queens. Bilingual in French and English—and occasionally incorporating Spanish—they create intuitively, often through improvisation.
Their name, inspired by the word “handsome,” reflects a desire to challenge gender norms. Embracing an eco-conscious lifestyle, their values are also reflected in their music, which is shaped by themes of travel and nature.

Anna Webber-tenor sax/flute

Sarah Rossy-voice/keyboards

Chiquita Magic-keyboards/voice

John Hollenbeck-drums/piano/composition

John Hollenbeck formed GEORGE during the Covid pandemic. He brought together three great musicians/people whom he loved and admired for a long time!  Even though most of the members had never met each other, John was confident from knowing them himself, that this group would immediately be, as one of the members calls it, "tight" (which means "very cool" in case you were wondering). Their group sound is firmly planted outside any categories or labels!  They remotely recorded a literal "Proof of Concept" in March 2021 and finally met in person in January 2022 in Montreal, Canada where they recorded "Letters to George", which was released on vinyl/cd/digitally on Out Of Your Head Records in January 27, 2023.

Samant is a versatile composer and producer from Montreal known for crafting distinctive sounds that move seamlessly across R&B, hip-hop, pop, and alternative music. With an intuitive and collaborative approach, he creates unique sonic worlds tailored to each artist and project, always prioritizing emotion, experimentation, and authenticity.
As his presence continues to grow within the Canadian music scene, Samant is now preparing the release of his debut album, ATMANS. The project is introduced through the singles RUFFRIDE featuring Lou Val and HEARTLESS featuring Topaz Jones, offering a first glimpse into his genre-blending musical universe.

JAM au BALCON

See the full After Jazz at PHONO schedule

Samant is a versatile composer and producer from Montreal known for crafting distinctive sounds that move seamlessly across R&B, hip-hop, pop, and alternative music. With an intuitive and collaborative approach, he creates unique sonic worlds tailored to each artist and project, always prioritizing emotion, experimentation, and authenticity.
As his presence continues to grow within the Canadian music scene, Samant is now preparing the release of his debut album, ATMANS. The project is introduced through the singles RUFFRIDE featuring Lou Val and HEARTLESS featuring Topaz Jones, offering a first glimpse into his genre-blending musical universe.