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Funk-soul queen Sharon Jones and jazz-soul crooner Jamie Cullum lead the charge for the free outdoor programming of the 37th Montreal International Jazz Festival from June 29 to July 9.

Jones found musical success relatively late in life. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native worked as a corrections officer at Rikers Island penitentiary before being discovered by the retro-funk label Daptone Records and releasing her debut Dap Dippin’ With Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings at age 46. The fiery performer launches the festivities with an opening night blowout June 29 at 9:30 p.m. at Place des Festivals.

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British singer-songwriter Jamie Cullum straddles the line between jazz, pop and soul. The wildly charismatic performer had the adoring crowd at Montreal’s Maison symphonique in the palm of his hand for his performance at last year’s jazz fest. Let’s see what he does with a much, much bigger audience when he takes over the mid-fest, big gig slot on July 4 at 9:30 p.m.