The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM) has unveiled the recipients of its prestigious 2026 Festival Awards, recognizing a diverse group of artists whose work continues to shape the global music landscape. During the festival’s 46th edition, acclaimed singer-songwriter Patrick Watson, jazz bassist Christian McBride, London collective KOKOROKO, vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant, and emerging artist Najib Fenaoui will each be honored for their exceptional contributions to music.
The awards celebrate excellence across multiple genres and generations, reflecting the festival’s longstanding commitment to honoring both established innovators and rising talents.
Patrick Watson will receive the Montréal Jazz Festival Spirit Award, becoming the 14th artist to earn the distinction. The award recognizes musicians whose creativity, innovation, and influence have had a lasting impact on popular music worldwide. Over the past two decades, Watson has built a singular artistic identity that blends orchestral arrangements, indie pop, experimental soundscapes, and deeply emotional songwriting. His distinctive musical voice has resonated with audiences around the globe while remaining firmly connected to Montreal’s vibrant cultural community. Watson will perform a free concert on the TD Stage on July 3.
The 2026 Miles Davis Award goes to Christian McBride, one of the most influential figures in contemporary jazz. As a bassist, composer, arranger, producer, educator, and cultural advocate, McBride has spent more than three decades helping to define modern jazz while bridging generations of musicians. His versatility and remarkable body of work have made him a leading ambassador for the genre. McBride will appear alongside guitarist Julian Lage at Théâtre Maisonneuve on July 4.
The Antônio Carlos Jobim Award will be presented to KOKOROKO, the acclaimed London-based ensemble known for its vibrant fusion of Afrobeat, highlife, jazz, soul, funk, bossa nova, and contemporary influences. Since forming in 2014, the collective has developed a sound that honors African musical traditions while pushing contemporary jazz into exciting new territory. Their innovative approach and international appeal have made them one of the most celebrated groups on today’s global jazz scene. KOKOROKO will perform a free outdoor concert on June 26.
Receiving the Ella Fitzgerald Award is vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant, whose artistry has established her as one of the defining jazz singers of her generation. Revered for her extraordinary vocal technique, interpretive depth, and fearless creativity, Salvant continually reimagines the boundaries of jazz by incorporating influences from blues, folk traditions, vaudeville, and even Baroque music. Her work has revitalized forgotten repertoire while creating a uniquely modern artistic vision. She will perform at Théâtre Maisonneuve on June 26.
The festival will also honor rising Montreal vocalist Najib Fenaoui with the Oliver Jones Award. Created to support university-level musicians from visible minority and Indigenous communities, the award recognizes emerging talent on the city’s jazz scene. Since making his debut in 2020, Fenaoui has earned attention for his exceptional improvisational skills and distinctive vocal style, drawing inspiration from jazz legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Al Jarreau, and Bobby McFerrin while incorporating elements of R&B, soul, and gospel into his music. He will perform with his group, NAJIB and the Alter Egos, at Le Studio TD on July 4.
The 2026 honorees reflect the remarkable diversity that has long defined the Montreal International Jazz Festival. From globally celebrated artists pushing creative boundaries to emerging voices carrying jazz into the future, this year’s award recipients embody the spirit of innovation, excellence, and artistic exploration that continues to make the festival one of the world’s premier music events.
Presented by TD Bank Group in collaboration with Rio Tinto, the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal returns for its 46th edition with an ambitious lineup celebrating the many forms and futures of jazz and creative music.
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