Diana Krall has announced that she will perform a three night ‘Diana Krall Solo in Concert’ series in her native Canada as part of the Montreal Jazz Festival (Festival International de Jazz de Montreal).

Acting as the backdrop to many major moments in her career, the festival has played an active role in Krall’s evolution as an artist. Her long history with the festival began with her debut performance at the festival in 1995 with a 10-night trio tribute to Nat King Cole. While she has since become a regular at the festival, this year’s solo series of concerts will mark her first performances at the festival for six years.

Festival artistic director and co-founder André Ménard set out to bring Krall back to Montreal, and in an entirely unprecedented format. Ménard explained: “We asked her to go out of her way and do something special and suggested an octet or big band.” However, seeking something more intimate, “She came back with the idea to perform in smaller hall… and do three nights of solo performances.”

After years of growth, The Montreal Jazz Festival has become the biggest cultural event in Canada, and holds the Guinness World Record for the largest jazz festival in the world. The 32nd annual Montreal Jazz Festival will run from June 25th to July 4th, and offers hundreds of free concerts across numerous outdoor stages, alongside indoor concerts at Montreal’s downtown performing arts center, Place des Arts.

This year will mark ninety-year old piano legend Dave Brubeck, who holds a standing invitation to perform at the festival every year, fourth consecutive year performing at the festival. Robert Plant, formerly of Led Zeppelin, will also be performing in a pre-festival event with his first band, ‘The Band of Joy’.

Other featured artists performing at this year’s festival include Best New Artist Grammy award winner Esperanza Spalding with the Chamber Music Society, Chick Corea, Dave Holland, The Brad Mehldau-Joshua Redman Duo, Tony Bennett, Sade, and Dee Dee Bridgewater in a tribute to Billie Holiday.