The Brooks open 40th Montreal Jazz fest with a funky RnB party

The 40th Montreal International Jazz Festival kicked things off with a party and what a party it was. The organizers decided to celebrate 40 years with a historic musical recap party. It couldn't have been done any better without local Montreal funkmeisters, The... Brooks!

The large side stage screens at the TD main stage would show an artist such as Ben E King, Aretha Franklin, Kool & The Gang, Ray Charles, along with the year they appeared and the venue they played. The Brooks would play tribute to each of these acts with a variety of singers trading off on lead vocals. Aside from main Brooks vocalist and legendary, Alan Prater they had Franck Julien, Lizzo Hey, and Marie-Christine Depestre. Juno winning Kim Richardson totally blew the night away on her high noted Etta James version of At Last. Special mention should be made of one of Montreal's finest funk/ soul/ RnB masters in Fredy V (Varre) as he made full use of the stage strutting his slim body all across while belting out Stevie Wonder and a closing emotional Purple Rain.

Click on the link to see The Brooks with Fredy V on lead vocals funking it out on Stevie Wonder's Superstition.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-6T1SiKYlA If you enjoyed that Fredy V and his band The Foundation have three more free show coming up on June 29th, 30th and July 1st as a part of the Night Cap series of shows.

The night opened with another jazz / funk legend Fred Wesley and the New JB's where they certainly did Pass the Peas. Local musical act Kalmuinty had an early set incorporating soul, funk, reggae, dance, and more.

Check out the official Montreal International Jazz Festival website for upcoming shows from The Brooks, Fredy V and The Foundation along with many more.

https://www.montrealjazzfest.com/en-CA

Alan Prater literally poses for a picture.

Juno winning vocalist Kim Richardson belting it out .

Fredy V and Frank Julien dance it up during Celebration.

The Brooks guitarist Phil did some soulful vocals on Marvin Gaye.

Something's Got a Hold On Marie-Christine Depestre and it must be love for 40 years of Jazzfest.

Fredy V and mentor Alan Prater sharing centre stage vocals.

Frank Julien got the crowd singing along on Stand By Me.

Lizzo Hey did a great job singing Aretha Franklin.

Lizzo Hey and Kim Richardson having fun.

Fredy V gets Superstitious.

To Alan Prater the funk is the funk.

Double legends Kim Richardson and Alan Prater had a major duet on Ain't No Mountain High Enough.

Alan Prater thanking everyone on stage for the farewell.

Fred Wesley playing the trombone.

Fred Wesley is a legend in funk / jazz/ soul and more.

Fred Wesley Passing the Peas.

Local act Kalmuinty getting the Reggae flow moving.

Kalmunity and it's many roster of artists having fun sining somany different styles of dance, funk, RnB, soul and more.