People came out in droves to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Guelph Jazz Festival last weekend. A feeling of joy and festivity pervaded all GJF sites, and especially Market Square, which returned to pre-pandemic levels of attendance. Whether it was the thumping grooves of Samba Squad and Big Smoke Brass at the Friday Night Street Music Party, the sweet croon of Rebecca Hennessy’s Makeshift …

Thank You for a Wonderful 30th Anniversary Guelph Jazz Festival Read More »

Day Three of the 30th Anniversary Guelph Jazz Festival features a full afternoon and evening of free live music in Market Square, culminating in a headlining performance by trip-hop/neo-soul phenomenon, Witch Prophet. The full program starts at 2pm: • 2pm • Afternoon Bike Ride (Montreal ‘bedroom pop’ trio)• 3:30pm • Turkwaz (vocal music from Greece, Türkiye, and the Balkans)• 5pm • Rebecca Hennessy’s Makeshift Island: …

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Day Two of the 30th Anniversary Guelph Jazz Festival is jam-packed with activity. Three ticketed concerts culminate with the 8pm concert, Royal City Mission, 50 Quebec Street, by Montreal’s exceptional 20-piece Ratchet Orchestra, led by and playing the compositions of Nicolas Caloia. This ensemble is without peer among creative music large ensembles in Canada. Preceding that, at 3pm, …

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Day One of the 30th Anniversary Guelph Jazz Festival features three exceptional ticketed concerts: 4pm, Silvervest, the Montreal duo of Kim Zombik (voice) and Nicolas Caloia (double bass), artBar (formerly the Ebar), 37 Quebec Street Upper; 8pm, [Ahmed], the European quartet whose collective improvisations reimagine the oeuvre of Ahmed Abdul-Malik, Studio Theatre, River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich St.; and, …

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With the 30th Anniversary 2023 Guelph Jazz Festival starting in one week, Thursday 14 September, we invite you to help us to start the festivities early at a series of free preview concerts this weekend, 9-10 September. ‘GJF in the Parks’ started as a response to public health measures and audience comfort considerations at our 2021 Festival, but we have …

One Week Until the GJF • Join us this Weekend for ‘GJF in the Parks’ Read More »

The beginning of September heralds many things, including the time when the Guelph Jazz Festival once again animates the city with world-class creative improvised music. This year’s 30th Anniversary festival is two weeks away, 14-17 September, and features ten ticketed concerts in downtown venues. Highlights among the extraordinary Canadian artists featured include Montreal’s sensational 20-piece Ratchet Orchestra; François Houle’s GENERA Sextet, honouring the …

The 2023 Guelph Jazz Festival Starts in Two Weeks! Read More »

The Board of Directors of the Guelph Jazz Festival announces that its Artistic and General Director, Scott Thomson, will conclude his role following this year’s Festival.  Thomson took on the role of Artistic Director of the Guelph Jazz Festival in 2017 from festival founder, Dr. Ajay Heble. Thomson has since shaped festival lineups with his signature thoughtful, …

Guelph Jazz Festival Artistic Leadership Announcement Read More »

We are thrilled to announce the 2023 instalment of ‘GJF in the Parks.’ These free outdoor events will be Festival Preview Concerts on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September, 2-5pm each day, the weekend before the GJF (14-17 September). Each day will feature two groups due to return to Guelph for the Friday Night Street Music Party in …

Announcing Guelph Jazz Festival in the Parks 2023 Read More »

The Guelph Jazz Festival is gearing up for its 30th Anniversary event, 14-17 September, three decades animating the City of Guelph with world-class live music events at the end of the summer. This year’s festival, as always, features amazing artists from the regional, national, and international fields of creative improvised music, performing in a broad range of styles, …

Guelph Jazz Festival 30th Anniversary Fundraising Drive Read More »

The 2023 Guelph Jazz Festival, 14-17 September, marks the 30th Anniversary year of the event, three decades animating the city with world-class live music performances by artists from the regional, national, and international fields of creative improvised music. We are proud to announce the key elements of this special event’s programming. Highlights of the Ticketed Concert Series …

The Guelph Jazz Festival Announces its 2023 Programming Read More »