The world has no idea about Ottawa in the summer.
Since Ottawa is a city with winters that can only be described in scientific references (Polar vortex?), event organizers find a way to cram the absolute best times into a 4 month schedule of events and music festivals. Ottawa’s summer is one of the best in Canada, and the festival that kicks the first weekend of summer into high gear is Ottawa’s Jazz Festival.
The most famous jazz festivals in the world may be in New Orleans, and Montreal, but to sleep on what the committee at the Ottawa Jazz festival has done is nothing short of a murderous act to your social life. The Jazz festival line-up is ripe with true musicians who make a living on the road, highlighted by Brandford Marsalis, Zaki Ibrahim, Beirut, Huey Lewis & the News, Steve Miller Band, The Blind Boys of Alabama, The Roots, and one of my favourite bands from New Orleans, the Soul Rebels. When you witness an artist on stage who lives on the road, versus someone who lives in the studio, the difference is clear. Both may be immensely talented, but only one of those artists truly knows how to work a crowd into musical euphoria. One of my favourite parts about Jazzfest, aside from the price point ($50.00 to see the roots! Amazing) is that you’ll find a show at multiple venues across the city. It’s always great to have a central hub of festivals, but a little atmospheric change is never a bad thing and only creates a great buzz in the downtown core.
We are excited for the 2015 edition of Ottawa’s Jazz Festival, and when you catch a glimpse of the line-up, it’s our hope that you will be too. The festival runs from June 19th until Canada Day on July 1st.
www.ottawajazzfestival.com
Ms. Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton
JUN 19
BUY
- 8:30pm
- Main Stage Confederation Park
- Concert Under The Stars
- $42
Jacques Kuba Séguin: ODD LOT
JUN 19
BUY
- 6:30pm
- Main Stage Confederation Park
- Great Canadian Jazz
- $42
Joe McPhee / Nicolas Caloia / Jesse Stewart
JUN 20
BUY
- 8:00pm
- National Arts Centre Fourth Stage
- Improv Invitational
- $25
Maria João & Mário Laginha
JUN 22
BUY
- 5:00pm
- National Arts Centre Fourth Stage
- Improv Invitational
- $25
Down by the Riverside Featuring: The Blind Boys of Alabama & The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
JUN 23
BUY
- 8:30pm
- Main Stage Confederation Park
- Concert Under The Stars
- $42
An Evening with Branford Marsalis
JUN 23
BUY
- 7:00pm & 9:00pm
- National Arts Centre Studio
- Studio Series
- $40
Emil Viklicky “Grand Moravia” Trio
JUN 23
BUY
- 8:00pm
- National Arts Centre Fourth Stage
- Improv Invitational
- $25
Robi Botos with Seamus Blake
JUN 23
BUY
- 6:30pm
- Main Stage Confederation Park
- Great Canadian Jazz
- $42
Enrico Rava Tribe featuring Gianluca Petrella
JUN 25
BUY
- 9:00pm
- National Arts Centre Studio
- Studio Series
- $40
A Filetta – Paolo Fresu & Daniele di Bonaventura
JUN 25
BUY
- 7:00pm
- National Arts Centre Studio
- Studio Series
- $40
Obara International Quartet
JUN 26
BUY
- 6:00pm
- National Arts Centre Fourth Stage
- Improv Invitational
- $25
Airelle Besson & Nelson Veras – Prelude
JUN 27
BUY
- 8:00pm
- National Arts Centre Fourth Stage
- Improv Invitational
- $25
Sidsel Endresen & Stian Westerhus
JUN 28
BUY
- 6:00pm
- National Arts Centre Fourth Stage
- Improv Invitational
- $25
Robin McKelle & The Flytones
JUN 29
BUY
- 10:30pm
- OLG Stage Marion Dewar Plaza
- OLG After Dark Series
- $20
TD Jazz Youth Summit and Stingray Rising Stars
JUL 1
- 2:00pm
- Main Stage Confederation Park
- Canada Day
- FREE
The Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces Jazz Quintet
JUL 1
- 4:00pm
- Main Stage Confederation Park
- Canada Day
- FREE
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