Jazz Festival 2022: All Canadian Events on One Page

If you are here, then the sounds of the saxophone make you thrill, and summer jazz festivals are the most anticipated events of the year for you.

Frankly speaking, you are not alone: plenty of Canadians enjoy these summer festivals.

Jazz music fans engaged in different businesses contribute to the organization of such jazz events annually. Such businesses include online gambling, as the thrill of live music complements the excitement of gambling.

The fusion of jazz music and online games creates a unique atmosphere where attendees can enjoy the vibrant jazz performances while also indulging in the dynamic world of online casinos. This intersection of entertainment avenues highlights the multifaceted nature of modern leisure activities, showcasing how different passions can seamlessly blend to enhance overall experiences for enthusiasts.

Being true fans of jazz music, we have collected information about all the most significant jazz festivals 2022, which Canada’s largest cities host this year.

Here you will also find out about the history of jazz in Canada, as well as the most famous local jazz musicians.

Back in History

Jazz as a direction in music dates back to the 20th century and combines elements of African and European culture. A characteristic feature of jazz music is improvisation and emotional performance.

Over its long and rich history, jazz in Canada has gone through some transformations. By the beginning of the 21st century, many colleges and universities in country and around the world included jazz in their education programs. At the time, newcomers largely imitated legendary performers, including Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis. Over time, this direction has improved and evolved into a unique style.

In the early 1970s, stage bands began to gain popularity in Canadian schools. This led to an increase in the audience of both musicians and listeners. The main event then was the Canadian Stage Band Festival (today known as MusicFest Canada). Humber College in Toronto has been the center of this festival for many years.

Canadian Jazz Icons

Thanks to the most famous Canadian musicians, who confidently bore the title of jazz icons, today, this style of music is popular in every corner of the country. These personalities have made a huge contribution to the development of the jazz industry.

Oscar Peterson has become one of the greatest and most influential pianists in jazz history. Paul Blay became an icon for many foreign performers in the 1960s. Kenny Wheeler, who played the trumpet, created his own unique style, which has served as a legacy for many other musicians. Jazz pianist Diana Krall became one of the most successful female vocalists in the early 2000s.

Summer Jazz Festivals

Regular jazz festivals in Canada began to boom in the late 1970s. Then such events were held annually in the largest cities of the country, including Montreal, Edmonton and Ottawa.

The most successful and famous is the Montreal International Jazz Festival, or FIJM. For the first ten years after its foundation, it was the largest event of this kind in the world.

Most Expected Canadian Jazz Festivals 2022: Facts and Dates

In Canada, as elsewhere in the world, there are traditions of large-scale summer jazz festivals. The most famous events last from a week to a whole month, attracting thousands of tourists from around the world, and include many concert venues, turning the festival into the largest city event.

Montreal International Jazz Festival: June 30-July 9, 2022

Festival International de Jazz de Montréal is perhaps the most anticipated event among jazz lovers that has been held annually for 40 years now. From a simple thematic event, this festival has grown into a real phenomenon and entered the Guinness Book of Records as one of the largest in the world.

On average, about 2.5 million jazz fans from the neighbouring United States, Europe, Japan and other countries attend it. It is the highlight of one of the oldest cities in Canada, Montreal. Thanks to its French flair, every year, for more than a week, the city successfully turns into a concert venue, where everyone can enjoy jazz icons, including famous musicians and bands, for hours on end.

Toronto Jazz Festival: June 24-July 3, 2022

In Toronto, the jazz festival is held annually from June to early July. The festival lasts ten days. During this time, listeners can enjoy performances by Canadian and international jazz musicians and vocalists. All performances are held in closed halls. Each year, the event gathers about 500,000 jazz music fans.

An outdoor alternative to the Toronto Jazz Festival is the Toronto Beaches Jazz Festival, which takes place around the same time.

Ottawa Jazz Festival: June 24-July 3, 2022

Jazz Music Festival in the capital of Canada rightfully bears the title of one of the greatest and most anticipated musical events in the world. Here, listeners enjoy amazing representatives of modern jazz music.

Founded back in 1980 by Canadian musicians Tony Pope, Bob Meisner, and Bill Shuttleworth, this summer jazz festival quickly became popular. Famous musicians such as Stan Getz, Milt Jackson, Sonny Rollins, Wynton Marsalis and Herb Ellis performed on the stage of this festival.

Throughout its history, Ottawa Jazz Festival has gone far beyond the traditional musical events, attracting new talented and contemporary names.

Thirty years after its foundation, the total attendance of the festival has reached almost 350 thousand people annually. Today the event is held in two stages. The main part takes place in the summer at Conference Park in Ottawa. The second part of the festival takes place in winter at the National Center for the Arts.

Victoria International Jazz Fest: June 24-July 3, 2022

Since 1981, the Jazz Society of the main city of British Columbia has hosted two major music events: the Victoria International JazzFest and the Vancouver Island Blues Bash. They also organize s series of jazz concerts annually from September to May.

The 10-day festival features jazz and blues musicians and vocalists from the city, the country and abroad. Every year, the event pleases visitors with a wide selection of programs that only the largest musical events can boast of.

SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival: June 30-July 10, 2022

Established in 1987, this festival brings together over 85,000 jazz enthusiasts every year. During this time, an ordinary musical event has grown into Saskatchewan’s main cultural music event.

As one of Canada’s largest festivals, SaskTel Saskatchewan invites between 140 and 160 jazz musicians and performers from all over the world.

For seven years, this festival has been named the best according to Planet S Magazine. Here, local and national musicians receive invaluable opportunities to grow as professionals. Thanks to the festival, the audience of jazz lovers is expanding.

Edmonton International Jazz Festival: June 29-July 3, 2022

The Edmonton International Festival invites the best local, national and international jazz musicians. Every year its audience of listeners is 10,000 people.

The Edmonton Jazz Festival Society, founded in 2005 as part of the International Jazz Festival, supports jazz traditions and music. The city also has a very popular jazz orchestra.

Port Hope Jazz Festival, Ontario

The Port Hope Jazz Festival is a shining gem among jazz festivals in Ontario. Situated in the scenic town of Port Hope, it not only adds to the rich tapestry of Canada jazz festivals but also offers a special platform for Canadian jazz artists. While larger events might dominate the scene, Port Hope Jazz Festival stands out, emphasizing the deep-rooted connection Ontario has with jazz. It’s an embodiment of Canada’s undying love for this musical genre, ensuring that jazz remains evergreen in the nation’s cultural landscape.

About Jazz Festival 2022: All Canadian Events

Because of the high popularity of jazz music in Canada, we have dedicated this site to the best jazz festivals and musicians in the country. Here you can find not only the history of jazz but also key features of the main music events that take place in the country every year. More details about the program, venue, schedule of events, and how to get there can be found on the official site of each festival.