The summer starts  up with  great music festivals all over the world, including Europe and Canada .  In July, there are so many fabulous ones to choose from across continents! Since June 1967, the  Montreaux jazz Festival has been providing music in a small town overlooking Lake Geneva, Switzerland.  This festival was  started by native Claude Nobs, with the major assistance from Atlantic Records at that time.   The Montreaux festival has became the 2nd largest jazz festival in the world today .  Since his death from a skiing accident in 2013, event is now  headed by Quincy Jones,a long time  collaborator of Mr. Nobs. See:Montreaux Jazz Festivalmontreaux

In Canada,The Montreal Jazz festival was forming in  the 1970’s in Montreal . It started in 1980, and and now is in its 37th year . Every year it features as much as 3,000 artists from 30 or more countries, with over 650 concerts (including  free outdoor performances), and host  2.5 million visitors .  Montreal is the  fabulous city in Canada as its backdrop, where cars are not allowed  for several blocks in the festival area.   Well worth a  bus trip from New York or a plane ride from anywhere, Montreal Jazz festival is the largest festival in the  world.   Montreal Jazz FestivalFestival_International_de_Jazz_de_Montréal_2

Its easy to get the to confused , especially since they are both French and English speaking cities and of course names are familiar. Montreaux is part of beautiful small town  landscape while Montreal is a diverse, culturally enriched city. Both festivals have educational programs for new artist,  emphasize sharing the music with free concerts and have events through out the year.

Check out other music festivals.  This  an excellent site : fab festivals