As with previous years, the Montreal Jazz festival is expanding past the traditional jazz music genre and reaching out to rap (Mos Def) and reggae (Burning Spear) however, it still remains one the world’s top Jazz festivals. This year’s lineup includes Branford & Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Redman, Al Jarreau and Dave Brubeck. The Montreal Jazz Festival runs from June 30 to July 12. With over 450 free outdoor concerts set to play on 10 outdoor stages, this year’s fest is not to be missed!

The Montreal International Jazz Festival promises to be extra festive this summer as it celebrates its 30th birthday.

The event, which runs from June 30 to July 12, unveiled its indoor concert lineup -- a slate of more than 150 concerts ranging from hardcore jazz players Joshua Redman, Wynton and Branford Marsalis and Dave Brubeck to rapper Mos Def, lounge-music stars Pink Martini and reggae stars Burning Spear.

Celebratory events are also planned to mark the 50th anniversary of the classic jazz album Kind of Blue, the 70th anniversary of the founding of Blue Note records, and the 10th anniversary of Montreal's own Effendi jazz label.

For Ottawa music buffs, there are still significant attractions to be heard in Montreal, even in spite of the Ottawa International Jazz Festival's powerful lineup. (The two events overlap, with the Ottawa festival taking place from June 25 to July 5.)

For example, during the July 4-5 weekend, the Montreal festival features concerts by Branford Marsalis, Susie Arioli, Joshua Redman, Kenny Garrett, Al Jarreau and electro-rockers Thunderheist -- all musicians who won't be appearing in Ottawa at either the jazz festival or the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest.

During its second week, the Montreal festival presents shows by jazz stars Charlie Haden and Bill Frisell, and three shows by Renaud Garcia-Fons, the French bassist who wowed his Ottawa jazz festival audience last summer.

The Montreal festival's closing weekend (July 11 and 12) includes performances by the Harlem Gospel Choir and a battle of the bands between the Glenn Miller and Harry James Orchestras. (Miller and James are of course long dead, but ghost bands in their honour still play their music.)

Tickets for all indoor shows go on sale today at www.montrealjazzfest.com. The website also gives tips for visitors on getting around the massive event, and information for families.

As well, it lists two-night package deals with accommodation at the economical Days Inn Montreal, the Dauphin Montreal Downtown and the four-star Hyatt Regency Montreal. The packages, which range in price from $160 plus taxes for one person for two nights to $282 plus taxes for one person for two nights, include breakfasts, festival souvenirs, and passes to the festival jam session. An indoor concert ticket may be included, subject to availability.

Many other hotels in all price ranges offer similar one-night packages.

But even without attending an indoor show, visitors can experience a wealth of music and a vibrant, bustling outdoor scene. The Montreal festival features downtown streets closed in the name of live music and more than 450 free shows on 10 outdoor stages. The lineup for the outdoor free concerts, which span styles from jazz to pop to Afrobeat to Gypsy, is to be announced in early June.

The Montreal jazz festival has earned the title of the world's largest jazz festival and is expected to draw 2.5 million attendees during its 13-day run.