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, imaginative, and community-minded touch, building on Heble’s legacy of the Guelph Jazz Festival being such a gift to the city. Thomson’s tireless approach to bringing world class artists to the City of Guelph will continue to reverberate long after this year’s 30th anniversary festival on 14-17 September, his final installment of the festival.
Through the recent pandemic, Thomson, alongside his colleagues at the festival, re-imagined what musical presentation could become, from park concerts to concerts for one, with innovation and resourcefulness always at the forefront.
Brian Lefresne, Chair of Guelph Jazz Festival stated, “Scott has contributed immensely to the growth and stability of the Guelph Jazz Festival. A hallmark of his artistic leadership has been his commitment to artistic excellence, and to our mission of presenting music that reflects the world in which we live and to making it accessible to the broadest audience possible.”
Under Thomson’s able leadership and prudent planning, the Guelph Jazz Festival has enjoyed financial stability and he leaves the Festival in a strong fiscal position for his successor. The Board of Directors is committed to building this gem of a festival in the heart of Ontario for many years to come. A search to find new artistic leadership for the festival is now underway, and Thomson will complete his term on 31 October.
On behalf of the Guelph Jazz Festival Board of Directors, members, donors, sponsors, artists, and audience members, we wish Scott continued success as he moves on to a new and exciting chapter in his career.
Scott Thomson (photo: Andrew Ruhl)