Montreal jazz fest an eclectic mix of top names

MONTREAL, Canada (Top40 Charts) - Guitar greats, Cuban pianists, and renowned female vocalists are on the eclectic lineup for this year's Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, which will also feature Peter Gabriel and Wynton Marsalis , organizers said Tuesday.

The 23rd version of the festival, set for June 27 to July 7, will take up its usual center-town street venues and music hall digs for 150 shows over its 11 days.

Headliners for the jazz purists include guitarists such as Bill Frisell, Charlie Hunter and John Scofield. Charlie Haden, Kelly Joe Phelps, John Pizzarelli and Toots Thielemans will be in town for a series of concerts.

The spotlight will be on women with artists such as Marianne Faithful, Lauryn Hill and Miriam Makeba . Cuban pianists Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Chucho Valdes are set for eight concerts that will include others such as Ron Carter and Joe Lovano.

Staying true to its roots as a popular festival, this year's gathering will feature British rocker Peter Gabriel and theater and film director Robert Lepage, who will present "Zulu Time." It is a multidisciplinary work described as a "cabaret for airports" that will include music, acrobats and audience participation.

Omara Portuondo, the sole female voice in the Buena Vista Social Club, songwriter Daniel Lanois, famed for producing albums for Irish rockers U2, and keyboardist Herbie Hancock will also headline festival shows.