by LEN DOBBIN

Well, this is a big one. It's been 25 years since we listened to the late Ray Charles at Place des Nations, a quarter century over which the Montreal International Jazz Fest has grown steadily. Fêting the fest's 25th birthday won't be too difficult. There's plenty to pick from among both indoor and outdoor events, so perhaps I can help with some suggestions.

First of all there's the entire Invitation series, Chick Corea (June 30 to July 3) and Charlie Haden (July 6–9), top the bills. The other indoor shows that look promising include the Kurt Rosenwinkel Quintet, featuring Brad Mehldau, on July 3. The next day there's the exciting Jean Beaudet Trio at the Gesù, as well as singer Jeri Brown, joined by the Onaje Allan Gumbs Trio, at Club Soda. July 5, one of the best alto players Montreal has produced, Remi Bolduc, is reunited with Kenny Werner, and on July 6 try Kenny Barron, who'll be joined by Stefon Harris.

July 7 should be a guitar fancier's delight as Larry Coryell, John Abercrombie and Badi Assad get together on the Spectrum stage. July 8 has Michel Donato (one of the few bassists who can say he played with Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Paul Bley and Oliver Jones) joined by some European friends including François Théberge. There's also the excellent vocalist Stacey Kent, an American living in England, and a duo of alto- and flute-man Bud Shank and pianist Bill Mays - Shank was here in 1950 with the Kenton Innovations Orchestra.

The last night for indoor shows is July 10 and, in what looks to be a festival highlight, trumpeter Dave Douglas arrives with trombonist Roswell Rudd, former Elvin Jones bassist Brad Jones and drummer Barry Altschul, who played in Montreal with guitarist Billy White while still a high-school student in New York. For vocal fans, there's a double bill of Carol Welsman and Peter Cincotti early that same evening.

This is a bumper year for outdoor events. July 2 brings pianist Bryn Roberts in from New York, with Mark Ferber on drums. One of Sheila Jordan's current favourites, singer David Linx, is in the same night with his musical partner Diedrik Wissels.

On July 3, David Amram makes overdue appearances - he's the man whose group opened the original 5 Spot in NYC, and the composer of the music for the Frankenheimer film The Manchurian Candidate. Mike Murley and David Braid also appear, and drummer Karl Jannuska, who now lives in Paris, comes in with an exciting group featuring Kelly Jefferson and Brodie West. There's also Chet Doxas with John Roney that night. July 4, try Nancy Walker or Mireille Proulx. July 5, there's Montreal-born Michael Blake's Blake Tartare.

Jumping ahead to July 8, there's Jean-François Groulx, and the next day Michel Côté. Joel Miller touches down on July 9, as do Marcia Seebaran and the Effendi Jazz Lab, while on July 10, vocalist Dorothée Berryman fronts an exciting sextet with a definite George Shearing sound. On closing night, July 11, try Bill Mahar.

That's it - grab your booklet with the site map, wear lots of sun block, don't get dehydrated and above all, enjoy!

For more info check Listings or go to www.montrealjazzfest.com

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