40th edition Rimouski Jazz Fest – Program

Four Days of Festivities Featuring Over 40 Events!

 Rimouski, June 18, 2026 – The Rimouski International Jazz Festival, presented by Videotron, is proud to unveil the lineup for its 40th edition, which will take place from September 3 to 6, 2026. Once again this year, the city will come alive to the rhythm of jazz and its many variations thanks to a bold, inclusive, and accessible lineup. As part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, the festival is revisiting classics that have thrilled Rimouski festivalgoers since the Festi Jazz’s inception, as well as an enhanced Place Festi Jazz Vidéotron focused on an expanded lineup of entertainment and activities for the whole family.

“Our commitment as a presenting partner of the Festi Jazz International de Rimouski is at the heart of Quebecor’s mission: to enrich our society by supporting culture, health, education, the environment, and entrepreneurship. The Bas-Saint-Laurent region boasts remarkable cultural vitality, and we are committed to celebrating it by offering the public a showcase of talent from here and elsewhere. Videotron is proud to contribute to the region’s visibility and that of its artists.” — Nicolas Gaillard, Assistant Director, Partnerships & Market Development, Videotron

The opening concert, presented by Toyota Rimouski, will feature a double bill with Michel Cusson and Alain Caron. The two founders of the jazz-fusion group UZEB will present their respective shows on the same evening, one after the other. Michel Cusson will present his new trio, VOLTAGE — an organic, electric, and cinematic musical project—while Alain Caron will perform with his trio, accompanied by a string quartet. Two distinct new shows that are sure to delight music lovers. One ticket for two shows—a memorable evening not to be missed!

The Grands Spectacles series continues with American trumpeter Keyon Harrold, a Grammy Award nominee who has collaborated with artists ranging from Jay-Z and Nas to YEBBA and Robert Glasper, blending jazz, hip-hop, soul, and cinematic storytelling. Ontario singer Jill Barber will also present a show featuring her own interpretations of classics ranging from Édith Piaf to Django Reinhardt and Robert Charlebois.

New this year, all of these shows will be presented in the Desjardins Hall at Spect’art Rimouski, along with all the shows in the Toyota Rimouski Jazz Nights Series! As part of this series, the festival will welcome the Emie R Roussel Trio—hailing from the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, winner of numerous awards, and now recognized on the international scene—and Bïa & Maracujá, a collaboration that celebrates Brazilian music, bringing together singer Bïa and the Montreal-based quartet Maracujá. Together, they celebrate Brazil’s rich popular repertoire by blending smooth bossa nova with festive rhythms such as samba, forró, and maracatu. It’s never been a better time to get the Festi Jazz pass, which grants access to all events, as the six performances at the Salle Desjardins are included in the pass.
Festivalgoers can look forward to an electrifying evening with two Vancouver-based bands: Five Alarm Funk—whose concert was canceled at the last minute in 2025—which fuses heavy funk with rock, ska, progressive metal, and Latin rhythms, and Empanadas Ilegales, a psychedelic tropical music collective bringing together musicians with Colombian, Ecuadorian, Argentine, and Canadian roots.

The Éclatée series continues with a performance by Afrotronix, led by Chadian guitarist and producer Caleb Rimtobaye—whose project blends electronic music, Afro-tech, and Afro house—and Polish bassist Kinga Głyk—hailed by the press as a “bass prodigy” — who will cross the ocean to enrich the lineup under the Grand Chapiteau at Place Festi Jazz Vidéotron.

To round out each evening, the Oiseaux de Nuit series returns for a fifth consecutive year, featuring two performances at Les Bains Publics, including the Montreal-based group El Balcón—which blends various traditional and world music styles—and emerging singer-songwriter Laura Schembri, who describes herself as the unlikely child of Philippe Katerine and Dalida and whose music is driven by disco and bossa nova rhythms. Another new addition is the duo Ping Pong Go, creators of the “gamer jazz” style, who will present a playful, instrumental musical extravaganza under the big top as they showcase their album *SMASH COMBAT*.

Bass lovers are in for a treat this year, as the Journées en Jazz Desjardins under the big top will kick off on Friday with bassist Carl Mayotte, Radio-Canada’s Jazz Revelation and winner of the 2022 Félix Award for Jazz Album of the Year. He’ll be back to present an energetic show in his signature style, but this time with a more intimate focus on his experience of grief following his father’s passing. The series concludes with a performance by Greek double bassist Petros Klampanis, accompanied by Jean-Michel Pilc (piano) and Ziv Ravitz (drums), forming a jazz improvisation trio with Mediterranean lyricism and a contemporary chamber music aesthetic. This free series also features a performance by Montreal pianist and composer Gentiane MG, accompanied by her longtime trio, as she presents her fourth album, *Can You Hear the Birds?*—an intuitive and human project centered on connection and collective expression. In addition, we’ll discover the Aodi ensemble, composed of eight musicians—some from the local Rimouski scene—who describe their music as “serial chamber jazz.”

The public is invited starting at 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, to join in the opening festivities. The 2026 edition offers a dynamic and diverse program with more than 40 events. To close out the festival, a jam session will be held to invite everyone to celebrate this anniversary edition.

Tickets and Passes

Keeping accessibility at the heart of the event, the program remains largely free, with ticketed events offered at affordable prices. Children aged 12 and under are admitted free of charge to all shows.

Passes

• Passe Festi Jazz (all ticketed shows): $175 – $140 for students

• Passe Explore (Éclatée Vidéotron & Oiseaux de nuit – 8 shows): $65

• Final Presale Price: $55 (until mid-July)

Individual Tickets

• Opening performance (2 shows) : $60

• Éclatée Vidéotron Series (2 shows): $45

• Grands Spectacles Series: $45

• Nuits Jazz Toyota Rimouski Series: $30

• Oiseaux de nuit Series: $20 (at the door, priority access for Explore Pass holders)