His annual event keeps city hopping

Back in 1980 Andre Menard cofounded what would become the Montreal Jazz Festival with a modest series of concerts that aimed to liven up a sleepy summer scene. The nights are sleepless now: Montreal is an uncontested global summer music epicenter. Menard offered his own preview of this year's festival. —SIDDHARTHA MITTER

Q. So what's different at the festival this year?

A. Leonard Cohen, a true Montreal hero, is returning to the stage here after 14 years. That's very special. Then Oscar Peterson died last December, and he was another Montreal hero. We're honoring him with lots of great pianists, like Hank Jones, McCoy Tyner, and Brad Mehldau.

Q. How about some lesser-known performers you're especially looking forward to?

A. There's a new singer, Melody Gardot, from Philadelphia. She doesn't go for standards, she writes her own songs and they're very strong. We also have a new tent with glasswork and mirrors inside, like an old European turn-of-the-century venue. Stewart D'Arrietta is playing there. He's Australian and his show is about Tom Waits. We don't really do cover artists as a rule, but in this case it goes way beyond cover.

Q. What happens at the Montreal festival that's distinctly about Montreal?

A. The meeting of European and American artists doesn't happen like this elsewhere on this continent. For instance, Richard Galliano - the great accordionist from France - the last time he played in New York it was with guys he met at the Montreal festival. And there's a community feeling; the jam sessions at the hotel are always interesting.

Q. The festival is such a recognized destination now. Was it ever in danger of failing?

A. Oh, yes. Back in 1986 we had a growth crisis that nearly killed us. There was a lack of support, but we resolved it. Now the city, the province, and federal government see the importance of festivals in Montreal's social life and economy. They see culture as a real axis of development of the city. We don't mind being useful! But 30 years ago people would leave Montreal for the summer. It was a dead town. Now it's the opposite.

Q. And you never get tired of it.

A. It's a pride to be able to help people discover music. It's a bit like back in school when you'd play new records for your friends. And I can't complain about a job where I listen to music in the morning and go to concerts at night.