June 2024

June 25-30, 2024

JazzYYC Summer Festival

Various locations

Schedule:
Headliners
Tuesday, June 25
Cory Henry
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Bella Concert Hall, 4825 Mount Royal Gate S.W.
In 2021, Cory Henry’s album Something to Say was nominated at the 2022 Grammy Awards for Best Progressive Album and as a co-writer and producer on Kanye West’s Donda and Eric Bellinger’s New Light. Other collaborations include:Imagine Dragons, Rosalia, Smino, Lucky Daye, and many more. Cory was previously a member of Snarky Puppy, and during his time in the band he garnered three Grammy Awards.
Most recently Cory’s latest masterpiece, Operation Funk, has garnered attention from fans all over the world as he delivered sold out shows in Israel, Spain, Amsterdam, Australia, and throughout the United States along with playing most of the major music festivals.
Tickets: $54.99, $59.99, $64.99

Thursday, June 27
Sunny Jain’s Wild Wild East
7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Commonwealth Bar & Stage, 731 10 Ave. S.W.
With a deep-rooted passion for music and dance, Madhuban Performing Arts brings together the vibrant rhythms, melodious tunes, and graceful movements that define South Asian culture.
Sunny Jain’s Wild Wild East sources musical inspiration from the scores of Bollywood classics and Spaghetti Westerns, Punjabi folk traditions, jazz improvisation, and rollicking psychedelic styles.
General admission: $29.99
Youth under 25: $14.99

Friday, June 28
Veronica Swift
7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Bella Concert Hall, 4825 Mount Royal Gate S.W.
On her albums, Confessions (2019) and This Bitter Earth (2021), Veronica Swift ascended to the upper echelon of early 21st century jazz singers because of her virtuosic brilliance, interpretive ingenuity, bracing songwriting, and keen arrangements. Simply put, Swift is not only one of the most dazzling singers to emerge in her generation, she’s one of the most versatile.
Tickets: $54.99, $59.99, $64.99

Saturday, June 29
Lakecia Benjamin
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Central Library - Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall, 800 3 St. S.E.
Lakecia Benjamin is a 3x GRAMMY nominated New York-based saxophonist, arranger, composer, and educator. Her music offers a unique meld of R&B, several strains of jazz, and funk. Her warm, resonant tone lends itself to any form of music she chooses to play.
General admission: $49.99
Youth under 25: $19.99

Swing Series
Wednesday, June 26
Ulysses Owens Jr and Generation Y
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Festival Hall, 1215 10 Ave. S.E.
Modelled on bands like Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, “Generation Y” celebrates the importance of mentorship within jazz and the arts at large. Drummer Ulysses Owens Jr teams up with a quintet featuring the next generation of emerging jazz talent.
General admission: $49.99
Youth under 25: $19.99

Thursday, June 27
Anthony Fung Quartet with Dayna Stephens
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Festival Hall, 1215 10 Ave. S.E.
Anthony Fung is a Canadian-born drummer, composer, producer, and bandleader currently based in Los Angeles. He has established himself as an accomplished musician, performing at renowned festivals and venues worldwide.
Innovative saxophone virtuoso Dayna Stephens has released over 10 albums as a band leader and worked with many famous names as a sideman, playing at renowned venues all around the world.
General admission: $49.99
Youth under 25: $19.99

Friday, June 28
Pasquale Grasso Trio
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Festival Hall, 1215 10 Ave. S.E.
Born in Italy and now based in New York City, guitarist Pasquale Grasso has developed an astounding technique and concept informed not by jazz guitarists so much as by bebop pioneers like Bud Powell, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie, and the classical-guitar tradition.
General admission: $49.99
Youth under 25: $19.99

Saturday, June 29
Hilario Durán Trio – A Tribute To Oscar Peterson
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Festival Hall, 1215 10 Ave. S.E.
Cuban born JUNO-Award winning pianist, composer, arranger and musical director Hilario Durán grew up in Havana in a musical family surrounded by a variety of diverse musical influences. He began working as a professional musician in Cuba’s Los Papa Cun­-Cun Ensemble and in a variety of musical formats.
General admission: $49.99
Youth under 25: $19.99

Canadian Series
Wednesday, June 26
Avataar
8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Ironwood Stage and Grill, 1229 9th Avenue S.E. Avataar is an award-winning Brampton-based world-jazz group featuring some of Canada’s finest jazz, world, funk, and pop musicians. The album Petal (2016) received critical acclaim from publications including DOWNBEAT, JAZZIZ, allaboutjazz, and world music central.com. The album Worldview (2021) won the 2022 JUNO award for Best Jazz Album of the Year (Group).
General admission: $39.99
Youth under 25: $19.99

Thursday, June 27
Laura Anglade
8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Ironwood Stage and Grill, 1229 9th Avenue S.E.
French-American singer Laura Anglade is a promising storyteller with a lot to say. She draws inspiration from Carmen McRae, Blossom Dearie, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Shirley Horn, Nancy Wilson, and Anita O’Day.
General admission: $39.99
Youth under 25: $19.99

Friday, June 28
Mary Ancheta Quartet
8:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Ironwood Stage and Grill, 1229 9th Avenue S.E.
Keyboardist Mary Ancheta is a Canadian / Filipina artist with a genre-bending organic, modern take on jazz and electro-funk. Inspired by the likes of Squarepusher, The Meters, John Scofield, and Prince, Mary has a passion for storytelling and the human condition.

General admission: $39.99
Youth under 25: $19.99

Saturday, June 29
Eliana Cuevas & Jeremy Ledbetter
8:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Ironwood Stage and Grill, 1229 9th Avenue S.E.
Eliana Cuevas and Jeremy Ledbetter are well-known for composing and performing as bandleaders of their own Latin Jazz projects and as side musicians for some of the best musical acts in Canada. A married couple with two children together, their joint work includes Eliana’s last three albums which earned them two Independent Music Awards for Best World Music Album and Best World Music Producer in New York, plus a Canadian Folk Music Award for Best World Music Album.
General admission: $39.99
Youth under 25: $19.99

Sunday, June 30
Brenan Brothers Album Release
7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Ironwood Stage and Grill, 1229 9th Avenue S.E.
The Brenan Brothers return with their second album featuring original music and arrangements of classic 1970’s jazz. The band creates an inclusive acoustic sound inspired by the auditory landscapes of current jazz yet grounded in the traditions of hard bop and creative improvisation.
General admission: $39.99
Youth under 25: $19.99

Jazz in the Burbs
Friday, June 28
Bellbird
Early show: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Late show: 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Cornerstone Music Cafe, # 139 14919 Deer Ridge Dr. S.E.
Comprising tenor saxophonist Claire Devlin, alto saxophonist and bass clarinetist Allison Burik, bassist Eli Davidovici, and drummer Mili Hong, Bellbird recorded their debut Root In Tandem during the winter at a lakeside cottage in St Zenon, Quebec. The album represents a communion of four distinctive spirits putting all their creative weight into a shared artwork. While rooted in modern jazz, Bellbird’s music bares influences from myriad musical styles, from moving folk melodies, to atonal counterpoint, to rock grooves that stretch the boundaries of the jazz genre. Capturing the ethos of the band, the music on their debut album grows out of a mutual curiosity and creativity, with feelings of space and calm pierced by exhilarating solos and free improvisation.
General admission (early show): $29.99
Youth under 25 (early show): $14.99
General admission (late show): $29.99
Youth under 25 (late show): $14.99

Saturday, June 29
Jazzical Trio
Early show: 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Late show: 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
From Hungary, the trio includes Norbert Kael, piano Peter Olah, bass Andras Lakatos, drums and blends two worlds into one striking and yet tasteful combination. Founded by Hungarian-born, Norbert Kael, the band has always been interested in both classical and jazz music. Norbert started his musical education at the age of 7. At 14 Norbert was accepted to Bela Bartok High School of Music, specially designed for talented young musicians. Mr. Kael received his first degree at the prestigious Franz Liszt academy of Music in Budapest. During those years Norbert Kael studied with Karoly Binder and Kalman Olah.
General admission (early show): $29.99
Youth under 25 (early show): $14.99
General admission (late show): $29.99
Youth under 25 (late show): $14.99

Late Night Festival Jam at the Sandman
Sandman Signature Downtown Calgary, 888 7 Ave. S.W.
Aaron Shorr Trio
Thursday, June 27-Friday, June 28
10:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
Enjoying the openness of the guitar trio format, Aaron Shore’s music is informed by his love of the jazz tradition, as well as soul, folk, and classical music.
General Admission: $15.00
Youth under 25: $5.00

Luis Tovar Quartet
Friday, June 28-Saturday, June 29
10:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
Luis “El Pana” Tovar is a JUNO-nominated percussionist from Venezuela. Since arriving in Alberta 18 years ago, he has made an indelible mark on the Western Canadian music scene, with 29 years of professional experience in percussion of world music instruments.

General Admission: $15.00
Youth under 25: $5.00

Joanna Borromeo Trio
Saturday, June 29-Sunday, June 30
10:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
Joanna Borromeo is a treasure of Calgary’s soul/jazz and R&B music scene, a vocalist, pianist, and Juno-nominated recording artist influenced by some of the deepest, most beautiful musicians in history. Dynamic, heart-felt and undeniably groovy – not to mention, a natural entertainer – Joanna Borromeo delivers a captivating performance wherever she goes.

General Admission: $15.00
Youth under 25: $5.00

Nate Chiang Quartet
Saturday, June 29-Sunday, June 30
10:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
Enjoying the openness of the guitar trio format, Aaron Shore’s music is informed by his love of the jazz tradition, as well as soul, folk, and classical music.
General Admission: $15.00
Youth under 25: $5.00

TD Summer Fest Jazz Walk
Sunday, June 30 – 2 Stages
The world-famous JazzWalk returns to not one but two outdoor stages for an afternoon of FREE live music with Calgarian, Canadian, and Global musicians all in the heart of Inglewood.

Jack Long Park Stage
Hosted by Kate Stevens, CKUA
JazzYYC Youth Lab Band
11:30 a.m.
Led by Director Jay Michalak, the JazzYYC Youth Lab Band benefits from the guidance of veteran guest musicians who help expand the participants’ musical horizons. Focusing on ensemble skills, improvisation, medium to advanced repertoire, and overall musicianship, the JazWYC Youth Lab Band offers students an opportunity to enrich their musical experience.

One
12:45 p.m.
Wolfert Brederode is a Dutch jazz pianist with a distinctive style that blends elements of classical music with contemporary jazz improvisation. Joost Lijbaart, also from the Netherlands, is a highly skilled drummer and percussionist who brings a dynamic energy to their collaborations. With his large set up he performs rhythmical and melodical improvisations at the heard of ONE’s sonic experience.

Donald Ray Johnson Blues Band
2:00 p.m.
Over the course of his five-decade career, Texas-born Donald Ray Johnson – Grammy Award winner and five-time Maple Blues Award nominee, has performed across North America, Europe and Asia, including at the prestigious Madison Square Gardens and Chicago’s Soldier Field. He won a Grammy Award in 1978 for Best New Artist and was nominated the same year for Best Duo/Group.

Gabriel Palatchi
3:15 p.m.
Gabriel Palatchi is one of the hottest contemporary names in the global Latin-jazz: Afro-Cuban and tango-jazz scene. He has released several critically acclaimed albums that showcase his remarkable talent. Gabriel has received critical acclaim as a composer and performer that recognize his exceptional contributions to the world of music. Including appearances on the Rolling stone and Billboard Magazine. Also, achieved a gold medal for best album of the year by the World Music Awards.

Baritone Madness
4:30 p.m.
Baritone Madness was formed by Pat Belliveau, Keith O’Rourke, and Gareth Bane to bring the magic of the baritone saxophone to jazz audiences. Theirs is a highly unique configuration a quintet comprised of three baritone saxophonists as leads, supported by a rhythm section of double bass and drums.

Moneka Arabic Jazz
5:45 p.m .
Moneka Arabic Jazz reflects a life and journey in art from Baghdad to Toronto, showcasing melody from the band’s homeland Iraq mixed with African groove and rhythm inherited from the Moneka Family.

Livery Stage
Hosted by Lisette Xavier, CBC Kids
Music with Mandy
11:30 a.m.
Best described as Fred Penner meets Ella Fitzgerald, Mandy’s high energy stage presence and unique interpretation of jazz standards have won the hearts of all who have come to her shows. Music with Mandy has been nominated for two YYC Music Awards and a WCMA. She has toured throughout Western Canada with highlight performances at Fernie Culture Days, Hay Day Festival, JazzYYC, Calgary Pride and at the National Music Centre.

Gabriel Zacharias Bossa Nova Quintet
12:45 p.m.
Gabriel Zacharias’ newly formed Bossa Nova quintet pays tribute to Brazilian classics written by Antonio Carlos Jobim (such as Corcovado and The Girl From Ipanema) and presents this beautiful music in its most authentic form: played on nylon string guitar with lyrics sung in the original Portuguese.

ORP
2:00 p.m.
ORP is a music artistic project led by a talented musician originally from Costa Rica, who now resides in Calgary, Canada. With a rich background in session music and a passion for Latin music, ORP is making a name for themselves in the industry by creating a unique fusion of different genres and rhythms.

Samantha Wilson Trio
3:15 p.m.
Acclaimed Nova Scotian guitarist and composer Sam Wilson presents a brand-new bi-coastal trio album featuring Vancouver’s Geordie Hart (bass — Malleus Trio, Boom Booms) and BC-based Jen Yakamovich (drums — collaborator to Jay Clayton, Lisa Cay Miller, Dan Gaucher).

Perpie
4:30 p.m.
With early exposure to Afrobeat music by Fela Kuti and country music by ‘Don Williams’ and ‘Dolly Parton’, Perpie’s music is influenced by Western and Southern African folk music and traditional musical practices, gospel, smooth jazz and soft rock. She is known for her rich and lyrical tone on the saxophones.
Headline artist at the Canadian Jazz Festival (2021), Ethnik Festival (2023) and her self-produced, sold-out concert with Orchestra at the studio Bell performance hall, Ije Live (2022). Her music has been described as happy, uplifting and a bouquet of everything good, radiating beautiful human emotions – as captured in written feedback from her audience. Her music explores themes of grace, community, love and hope.

Jordan Middleton Quintet
5:45 p.m.
Since his Calgary and Toronto music learning-days, Jordan Middleton has since become a developed bandleader and composer, orchestrating many of his own concerts in the big city where he debuts student compositions written by himself and his peers. Having just completed his first year at the University of Toronto, Jordan is ready to return to Calgary and show everyone what he has learned. Jordan was the recipient of the Keith Smith Memorial Scholarship and the Excellence in Music Scholarship in 2023 through JazzYYC.

Passes:
TD JazzYYC Summer Festival Accessibility Pass: $125
TD JazzYYC Summer Festival Pass: $250

Welcome to the 10th edition of the TD JazzYYC Summer Festival! JazzYYC is pleased to present the most diverse program yet, made possible by a growing base of sponsors, donors and members, and supported by wonderful JazzYYC volunteers.
This summer’s festival features an incredible lineup of international musicians (and some local) from a variety of jazz genres and styles. The Grammy-winning Composer, Producer, Multi-instrumentalist, all around keyboard master, Cory Henry is at the Bella Concert Hall to start things off on Tuesday June 25. Two nights later the rollicking psychedelic styles of Sunny Jain’s Wild Wild East will shake Commonwealth Bar and Stage, and they’re happy to say Calgary’s Madhuban Performing Arts will be opening. One of this generation’s finest and most dazzling jazz singers on the planet, Veronica Swift, will be at the Bella Concert Hall Friday June 28, and finally the 3x Grammy- nominated New York-based saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin will play Calgary Public Library Saturday night.
JazzYYC strives to bring Calgary audiences the best of jazz in all of its forms in order to build a vibrant scene in this city. Likewise, it also provides a stage for the next generation of jazz artists honing their skills in the JazzYYC Youth Lab Band. As always, the festival brings Music Mile alive on Sunday afternoon when JazzWalk brings live jazz to the shops, restaurants and galleries of Inglewood.