American musician Moses Sumney has pulled out of the Montreal International Jazz Festival because of a controversial show that is directed by a white man and features a white woman singing songs composed by black slaves.

The Montreal Jazz Festival has cancelled the June 29 and 30 showings of a controversial production that incorporates songs composed by slaves.

Described as “a theatrical odyssey based on slave songs,” SLĀV is the most popular show at this year's Montreal Jazz Festival, with its first five shows all sold out. But it's also been the most controversial so far.