Niagara Jazz Festival 2023

The 2023 TD Niagara Jazz Summer Festival was a huge success. The following is a heartfelt thank you from Juliet Dunn, Executive Director.

"I’m truly touched with the results of our 10th annual Summer Music Festival. What an amazing week it was! Somehow, Mother Nature was on our side this year and created many magical moments for each concert event.

At our JAZZ under the STARS flagship event, at the incredible Jackson-Triggs Winery Estate, the ‘heavens’ opened and poured buckets of rain on all in attendance. Laila Biali, and her infinitely joyous self, invited everyone on to the performance stage to join her whilst the band played on. A truly unforgettable moment and one that kicked off our festival with heart.

At the historical Willowbank Estate in Queenston and under a magnificent double peaked tent, made possible by the team at The Brown Homestead, the table was set for our JAZZ PICNIC featuring Alex Pangman & Her Alleycats. A gourmet picnic lunch, catered by Treadwell Cuisine, completed this musical afternoon delight. The weather was perfect, with a summer breeze, ‘blowin’ through the jasmine in our minds’, and in our case, it was the lavender plants from Niagara College Teaching Greenhouse Nursery that adorned each harvest table. 

Next up was JAZZ FUSION on the ROOFTOP with Wojtek Justyna Tree Oh! from Holland. Magnificent! Taking place on the rooftop of the Niagara Artists Centre in St. Catharines, the audience was treated to wild fusion jazz created from guitar, deep bass grooves, drums, and percussions. Everyone was on their feet! Even our valued sponsors, TD Bank and Minken Employment Lawyers could not contain their enthusiasm watching this extraordinary musical group. 

Not to be out done, Cinnamon Jones and the Quincy Bullen Trio knocked it out of the proverbial park with SOUL JAZZ at The Hare Wine Co in Niagara-on-the-Lake.  This show sold out before we started our festival week and what a show it was! Another torrential downpour nearly knocked the power out just before showtime, but The Hare is prepared, and the power remained strong. Power-Full! This show was ‘rockin’ – everyone on their feet shaking and clapping to the rhythm while Cinnamon Jones was dancing her way through the audience. Same time, Quincy Bullen and his super-talented trio were seriously grooving up on the stage. What a performance!

Next stop was the beautiful Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery for VIBES in the VINES with the David Friedman Quartet, and the important acknowledgement of our precious JAZZ 4 the AGES Youth Competition winners and emerging stars. A master of the vibraphone, David, and his all-star band of 'jazz royalty' - Terry Clarke on drums, Neil Swainson on bass, Lorne Loftsky on guitar - took the audience on an ethereal jazz journey with the vibraphone as the ultimate star of the show. Way cool!

Finally, back to Niagara-on-the-Lake where we all gathered at Simcoe Park for the grand finale, MUSIC in the PARK. Special thanks to the team at the Town of NOTL for this privilege. We could not have asked for a better weather day to cap off and celebrate how far we have come in 10 years. A picture-perfect summer day to share with our vendors, volunteers, board members, sponsors and event staff. Entertainment highlights included Heather Bambrick Quintet, Ernesto Cervini’s Turboprop, Lorraine Klaasen, and finally, direct from Cuba came Bobby Carcassés joined by Attila Fias Combo to close the show on the OLG Fiesta Stage Bandshell. There were dance lessons too! JAZZ 4 the AGES Youth Competition winners Jonah Tredway and Antonio Geremia charmed the crowds, and Jaymz Bee from JAZZ FM returned to the festival and interviewed his good friend and jazz singer, John Finely, at the new ‘Tent Talks’ stage. 

The musicianship was ‘out of this world’ and the music is what this festival is all about. My heart is full and ‘my cup runneth over’ from the pure joy this music brings to me. If you joined us, we hope you felt the same. Thank you for joining us in support of our journey to keep jazz music alive for generations to come. LIVE.LOVE.JAZZ!

In Loving Memory of Peter Shea, our dearly departed, and not forgotten Artistic Director and co-creator of TD Niagara Jazz Festival. Shine on Peter! RIP.

 Gratefully yours,"