Montreal’s celebrated jazz pianist Oliver Jones, 91, will be honored with a public funeral at Union United Church in the Little Burgundy neighbourhood on Monday, 17 August 2026. The service is scheduled to begin in the early evening, with the official start time listed as 18:08 GMT.
Jones, who passed away on 22 July at the age of 91, began his musical journey at Union United Church when he was five years old, sitting at the church’s piano and learning the fundamentals that would later define his career. Over the decades he became one of Canada’s most respected jazz musicians, known for his virtuoso technique and contributions to the Montreal jazz scene.
The funeral will be open to the public, allowing fans, fellow musicians, and community members to pay their respects in the same building where his talent first blossomed. Organisers have confirmed that the ceremony will be held within the church’s main sanctuary, but have not released further details about program elements or speakers.
Oliver Jones’ long association with Union United Church, combined with his status as a cultural icon, makes the venue a fitting setting for the farewell. Residents of Little Burgundy and the wider Montreal area are expected to gather to celebrate his life and musical legacy. The event marks the culmination of a life that began in the modest pews of a local church and grew into a distinguished career that left an indelible mark on Canadian jazz.