by SCOTT C

Any music lover who lives in Montreal is well aware of the host of festivals and annual events that continue to attract both local musical talent and international artists. You may have missed the first few incarnations of the Nujaz Festival, though, so this year, organizers are making a concerted effort to introduce the event as a contender. Running from October 10–14, Nujaz incorporates drum & bass, electronica, hip hop, trip hop, nu-soul, funk and jazz in an effort to bring a distinct difference to the city’s musical landscape.

Things get underway on Oct. 10 at the Main Hall, when Phantom Power Combo Deluxe and Soundclash share the stage for the night. PPCD, an electro-jazz quartet, wowed the audiences in the Savoy room at Metropolis every night of the Jazz Fest this past summer, while the legend of saxophonist Erik Hove and the turntable jazz of his band Soundclash continue to spread.

Wednesday, Oct. 11, at Théâtre Olympia, you can sample the mixed bag of sounds produced by Teknic Old Skool, bringing their two cents all the way from France for a live performance that features turntables, keys and samplers, double bass and drums. They’ll be joined by Sayag Jazz Machine, also hailing from France and tied up in the live, jazzy jungle vibes. Rounding out the night is Power Supply, a Montreal group rooted in modern jazz, urban music and African rhythms.

Things heat up again at the Olympia on Thursday, Oct. 12 when the funky electronic moves of Montreal bands Plaster and the Gainsbourg-influenced Deweare support the Herbaliser, who make a return trip to the city. In classic Herbaliser style, they’ve invited Toronto-based rapper More or Les to support them on a few dates, and he’ll be joining them here too. With keyboardist Kaidi Tatham and supa MC Jean Grae rumoured to be in the house too, you might want to make an effort to be there.

Friday, Oct. 13 is your lucky day, when locals Afrodizz, Kobayashi and Pheek team up with U.K. band Subterfuse for a night of Afro-beat, dancefloor jazz, live breakbeat and techno on the Olympia stage. No strangers to a party, Afrodizz have locked down the title of local Afrobeat heavyweights with numerous live shows and strong original material under their belts, while Kobayashi continue to explore the meeting of jazz, hip hop and the power of a well-arranged orchestral joint.

Rounding out a full week, closing-ceremony duties fall to Motus3F, Gloomy, aRTIST oF tHE yEAR and Diplo, who shut down the festival with a show at Olympia on Saturday, Oct. 14. The strange, voice-driven loops of Motus3F combine with Gloomy’s intergalactic seduction and the squelchy, four-four funk of aRTIST oF tHE yEAR, while a DJ set from Diplo is clearly the way to finish all of this on a high note.

Go to www.nujaz.net for full schedule and info

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