Planning is well underway for the highly anticipated 10th anniversary edition of the Jazz Sudbury Festival.
The celebration aims to curate a VIP experience for all attendees at its main-stage events on September 7th and 8th.
The Jazz Sudbury Festival will be celebrating its 10th anniversary during its annual festivities, September 5-9.
The festival collaborates with local businesses to present events at six downtown locations. Mainstage events will take place at the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre. Two free concerts in Bell Park will be accessible to all community members.
Through many cold September evenings, the festival has brought the warmth of live jazz to the ears and hearts of festival goers.
From humble beginnings on the grounds of Science North to the international acts now presented at the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre, the festival continues to evolve.
“There were many things about the Jazz Sudbury Festival that I loved – from the expansive Grace Hartman Amphitheatre backed by a sparkling Ramsey Lake to the exceptional welcome and hospitality by festival staff and attendees,” says Laila Biali, award winning Canadian Jazz artist and CBC radio host.
Biali headlined the unique Jazzwalk in 2017 and played the main stage. “It was my first time performing in northern Ontario, and my experience with Jazz Sudbury left me wanting more,” she said.
The Jazz Sudbury Festival certainly has reason to celebrate. The organization has spent the last 10 years as the only festival bringing live jazz to northern Ontario.
The big question is: how does one celebrate so many achievements? A few 10th anniversary enhancements are certainly in order.
Jazz Sudbury has partnered with locally-owned Crosscut Distillery to bring attendees a Jazz Lounge. The lounge will feature martinis among other specialty cocktails.
For added flair, the festival will launch fireworks on Friday, Sept. 8 (as long as the fire ban has been lifted by then, at least), while energetic brass funk group Lucky Chops performs.
To thank the community, Jazz Sudbury has added a second free community event to the schedule. Jazz on the Beach will take place at the William Bell Gazebo on Sept. 9. Finally, Sudbury native Christian Overton has been commissioned to create an official Jazz Sudbury Festival anthem. The ode to jazz will premiere on Saturday, Sept. 8.
In addition to these new enhancements, the festival is expanding its emerging artist program. Jazz Sudbury has partnered with Music and Film in Motion and the RBC Foundation to deliver a discussion panel and performance on Sunday, Sept. 9. The discussion will include a Q&A between emerging artists and a special industry professional which will focus on building music careers in the industry.
The official festival schedule can be found online here.
The fireworks, the Crosscut Jazz Lounge, the new events, and the Jazz Sudbury Festival anthem are sure to make this year spectacularly memorable.
Tickets are available at Kuppajo Espresso Bar, A&J Home Hardware, Walden Home Hardware, Jett Landry Music, La Fromagerie, Long & McQuade, Hanmer Home Hardware, and the Jazz Sudbury office.
For tickets and information, visit www.jazzsudbury.com.
