Ballets Jazz Montréal

Founded in 1972 by Geneviève Salbaing, Eva Von Genscy, and Eddy Toussaint, Ballets Jazz Montréal is a contemporary dance repertory company which, under the artistic direction of Alexandra Damiani, creates, produces, and presents on local, national, and international stages.

Ballets Jazz Montréal offers an accessible artistic product noted for the excellence of its performance. Its work brings an element of humanity and emotion as well as the skillful technique of its dancers. Each creation is multilayered and often multidisciplinary, combining music, video, and theater with contemporary dance. The distinct personalities and high caliber of its performers play a key role in maintaining the company’s reputation and influence in the dance world.

Indeed, the company collaborates with internationally renowned choreographers who develop their own research to generate a repertoire that reflects BJM’s identity and is accessible to all audiences. The company’s impressive roster of talented choreographers includes Crystal Pite, Aszure Barton, Mauro Bigonzetti, Andonis Foniadakis, Itzik Galili, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Barak Marshall, Benjamin Millepied, Ihsan Rustem, Anne Plamondon and Juliano Nunes, to name a few.

Through their productions, performances, and educational activities, Ballets Jazz Montréal encourages discovery and shares their passion for this discipline with all its audiences – both local and abroad. With more than 2,600 performances in 68 countries and an audience of over 2.8 million, Ballets Jazz Montréal is a leading ambassador of Quebec dance and artistic vitality.

In 2016, the Prix Rideau Hommage was awarded to the company and its artistic director at the time, Louis Robitaille, in recognition of the company’s impact and continued presence on Quebec stages. In 2020, the company received the Prix de la danse de Montréal for the category of international dissemination presented by CINARS. The 2021-2022 season marked the company’s 50^th anniversary.