An Event Revealing More than Just the Music!
New shorter itinerary option! See below...
Deadline to register is April 20, 2025
Deadline to register is April 20, 2025
Guided by professor emeritus and professional jazz drummer, Rich MacDonald, attend the largest Jazz Festival on earth, get historical context and listening lessons, and dine privately with performing musicians. A once in a lifetime experience for the jazz enthusiast.
The Festival
Recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest jazz festival on the planet, the Festival has been synonymous with musical passion and memorable moments for over 40 years. It's where living legends rub shoulders with the finest up-and-coming artists, and jazz explodes at the crossroads of genres and influences. Located in the heart of downtown Montreal, closed to traffic and open until midnight, the Festival site becomes the meeting place for jazz lovers worldwide for ten days. Together, they enjoy close to 150 indoor concerts and the famous outdoor component, consisting of more than 350 outdoor performances, presented on the Place des Festivals, which has been specially redesigned and set up for the event.
Recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest jazz festival on the planet, the Festival has been synonymous with musical passion and memorable moments for over 40 years. It's where living legends rub shoulders with the finest up-and-coming artists, and jazz explodes at the crossroads of genres and influences. Located in the heart of downtown Montreal, closed to traffic and open until midnight, the Festival site becomes the meeting place for jazz lovers worldwide for ten days. Together, they enjoy close to 150 indoor concerts and the famous outdoor component, consisting of more than 350 outdoor performances, presented on the Place des Festivals, which has been specially redesigned and set up for the event.
More about our host:
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Dr. MacDonald is Professor Emeritus from Winona State University, where he served as director of jazz and percussion studies from 1996 to 2020. Since 2010 Dr. MacDonald has been writing and publishing drumset pedagogy in the form of instruction books and ancillary audio and video materials. His four books - Drumset Concepts Volumes I-IV - and his audio materials are available via his website: www.macdrummusic.com and his video studies are housed on his YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@macdrummusic5380. Over the last few years, Dr. Macdonald has been developing a “deep-dive” pedagogy for big band drumming, to include playalong tracks and significant audio and video examples. This volume, Drumset Concepts Vol. V – Big Band Drumming, is due to be released sometime in 2025 in both print and online versions. Dr. MacDonald has extensive performance and recording credits including: George Benson, Evan Christopher, Eddie Daniels, Wycliffe Gordon, Slide Hampton, Milt Hinton, JazzMN Orchestra, Delfeayo Marsalis, Rob Parton, Arturo Sandoval, Lonnie Smith, Mike Stern, Bobby Shew, Byron Stripling, and many others.
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Both Packages Include
Educational Component Daily group meetings detailing the events of the day, the background of the artists, musical historical context, artists not to be missed at the outdoor stages, and in depth reviews after main event performances Dr. Rich MacDonald is a retired professor who plays drums good Private Musician Q&A Sessions Using Dr. MacDonald’s deep industry connections we will curate private meetings, seminars and Q&A sessions with professional jazz musicians. Full Time Liaison Thrive Adventures founder and guide Al MacDonald will be there handling all the logistics for the group and will be available to troubleshoot any issues that may arise. Al was a music minor and studied under his father, Rich MacDonald at Winona State University playing in the Jazz Band and was also a member of the 34th Infantry Division Army Band based in Rosemount, MN. |
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4 Night Budget Package
Wednesday, June 25 - Sunday, June 29, 2025 $1,999 USD per person based on double occupancy hotel room $399 supplemental fee for single occupancy hotel room Includes Accommodations 4 nights at the Travelodge by Wyndham Montreal Centre 1 block away from the main events Food 4 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner Main Event Concert Tickets Wynton Marsalis and the JALC Orchestra, Arooj Aftab, Chris Botti, Samara Joy Not Included
Refund policy Thrive Adventures will not charge cancellation fees, but we can’t say the same for other bookings like concert tickets and hotel bookings. We will do our best to get all your money back to you. |
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5 Night All Inclusive Package What's Included
Wednesday, June 25 - Monday, June 30, 2025 $2,799 USD per person based on double occupancy hotel room $850 supplemental fee for single occupancy hotel room Includes Accommodations 5 Nights in 3-4* Hotel Food 5 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners Main Event Concert Tickets Wynton Marsalis and the JALC Orchestra, Arooj Aftab, Chris Botti, Samara Joy, Mike Stern w/Dennis Chambers 5 Nights of Main Event Concert Tickets Not Included
Refund policy Thrive Adventures will not charge cancellation fees, but we can’t say the same for other bookings like concert tickets and hotel bookings. We will do our best to get all your money back to you. |
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Main Event Schedule
Day 1, Wed, Jun 25
Arrivals and Welcome Dinner
Evening Concert, 7:00pm: Wynton Marsalis and the JALC Orchestra
Venue: Maison Symphonique
Festival Grounds and Outdoor Concerts Open 5:00pm to Midnight
Day 2, Thu, Jun 26
Lunch Festival Artist Briefing
Afternoon: Optional Events / Free Time
Festival Grounds Open at 5:00pm
Evening Concert, 9:00pm: Arooj Aftab
Venue: Club Soda
Festival Grounds and Outdoor Concerts Open Until Midnight
Day 3, Fri, Jun 27
Lunch Festival Artist Briefing
Afternoon: Optional Events / Free Time
Festival Grounds Open at 5:00pm
Evening Concert, 7:00pm: Chris Botti
Venue: Maison Symphonique
Festival Grounds and Outdoor Concerts Open Until Midnight
Day 4, Sat, Jun 28
Lunch Festival Artist Briefing
Afternoon: Optional Events / Free Time
Festival Grounds Open at 5:00pm
Evening Concert, 7:00pm: Samara Joy
Venue: Maison Symphonique
Festival Grounds and Outdoor Concerts Open Until Midnight
Day 5, Sun, Jun 29
Festival Grounds Opens at Noon
Group Dinner & Festival Artist Briefing
Evening Concert, 9:00: Mike Stern w/Dennis Chambers
Venue: Théâtre Duceppe
Festival Grounds and Outdoor Concerts Open Until Midnight
Day 6, Mon, Jun 30
Departure Day
Travel Related Information
Physical Requirements
We will be walking from place to place so you should be comfortable walking at least a mile at a time. We may also stand for long periods of time at the outdoor stages, though you are not obligated to attend all the events.
Extending the Trip
Canadian Independence Day is July 1! If you would like extra nights in the hotel before or after the trip please let us know as soon as possible. The hotel will book up completely because of the festival.
Smartphones
Calling, texting and data coverage is very good in Montreal. Each cell service provider is different but most have international call, text and data available for $5-10 per day on arrival without any prearrangement. Contact your personal provider to confirm.
Calling Internationally
Using your phone internationally including texting and calling requires you to add the country code to the recipient's number. Add “+1” to all your important contacts to ensure your calls and texts go through. Hold down the “0” key on your key pad to insert the “+” sign.
Communicating with your Guide
Download “Whatsapp” to your mobile device before departure. Your guide will create a group chat so that everyone is on the same page as you travel.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are accepted everywhere in Montreal and inside the festival grounds! But make sure you check to see if your card charges foreign transaction fees.
Foreign Transaction Fees
These fees are a percentage of the sale amount and can add up quickly. Check with your card provider for specific information.
Cash
As far as we know, all banks do charge foreign transaction fees for making a cash withdrawal on your debit card. That fee is usually a percentage of the amount withdrawn. This is on top of the ATM fee.
Tipping
Tipping 10-15% is customary in Montreal.
Travel Clinic
If you have any health concerns you should contact your personal doctor, but in a pinch, your local travel clinic can advise you.
Travel Insurance
Though we do not require it, in this post pandemic world we do suggest you purchase travel insurance to protect your travel purchase with us. We offer travel insurance to cover things like lost luggage or delayed flights through our partner, TravelSafe insurance provider. Contact us for a quote.
Luggage Scales
As a rule, pack light and leave room for souvenirs. A luggage scale is a great thing to have to ensure your souvenirs don’t cost you overweight baggage fees at the airport.
Electronics Adapters/Converters
Montreal, Canada uses the same power outlets and voltage that we do in the US.
Google Translate
A fantastic mobile application/website that is very handy overseas. You can download languages for use offline.
Currency Converter
Google works but you can also download an app to convert currency offline.
Physical Requirements
We will be walking from place to place so you should be comfortable walking at least a mile at a time. We may also stand for long periods of time at the outdoor stages, though you are not obligated to attend all the events.
Extending the Trip
Canadian Independence Day is July 1! If you would like extra nights in the hotel before or after the trip please let us know as soon as possible. The hotel will book up completely because of the festival.
Smartphones
Calling, texting and data coverage is very good in Montreal. Each cell service provider is different but most have international call, text and data available for $5-10 per day on arrival without any prearrangement. Contact your personal provider to confirm.
Calling Internationally
Using your phone internationally including texting and calling requires you to add the country code to the recipient's number. Add “+1” to all your important contacts to ensure your calls and texts go through. Hold down the “0” key on your key pad to insert the “+” sign.
Communicating with your Guide
Download “Whatsapp” to your mobile device before departure. Your guide will create a group chat so that everyone is on the same page as you travel.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are accepted everywhere in Montreal and inside the festival grounds! But make sure you check to see if your card charges foreign transaction fees.
Foreign Transaction Fees
These fees are a percentage of the sale amount and can add up quickly. Check with your card provider for specific information.
Cash
As far as we know, all banks do charge foreign transaction fees for making a cash withdrawal on your debit card. That fee is usually a percentage of the amount withdrawn. This is on top of the ATM fee.
Tipping
Tipping 10-15% is customary in Montreal.
Travel Clinic
If you have any health concerns you should contact your personal doctor, but in a pinch, your local travel clinic can advise you.
Travel Insurance
Though we do not require it, in this post pandemic world we do suggest you purchase travel insurance to protect your travel purchase with us. We offer travel insurance to cover things like lost luggage or delayed flights through our partner, TravelSafe insurance provider. Contact us for a quote.
Luggage Scales
As a rule, pack light and leave room for souvenirs. A luggage scale is a great thing to have to ensure your souvenirs don’t cost you overweight baggage fees at the airport.
Electronics Adapters/Converters
Montreal, Canada uses the same power outlets and voltage that we do in the US.
Google Translate
A fantastic mobile application/website that is very handy overseas. You can download languages for use offline.
Currency Converter
Google works but you can also download an app to convert currency offline.
