TD Toronto Jazz Fest Announces 35th Anniversary Program

The TD Toronto Jazz Fest is pleased to announce its 35th Anniversary programming, from June 24 to July 3, 2022. With 10 days of FREE outdoor concerts and additional stages, this year’s edition proves to be the biggest yet. What started as a small event dedicated to creating a platform for Jazz music in Toronto, has grown into an internationally celebrated festival hosting acclaimed artists from across the globe like Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Etta James. The TD Toronto Jazz Fest has always aimed to provide the highest quality of jazz and jazz related music representing the many cultures and communities across the city. This year the festival both acknowledges its rich history while eagerly looking towards the future and continued growth. Kicking off the 10 day event, the iconic corner of Avenue Rd and Bloor will be shut down with our Queen’s Park North TD Main Stage featuring The New Power Generation: Featuring The Music Of Prince, JUNO Award winner of Traditional R&B/Soul Recording Savannah Ré, R&B sensation Amber Mark, critically acclaimed rapper and singer TOBi with an array of artist to follow throughout the week including Motown icon Smokey Robinson.

Since its inception, the festival has hosted over 35,000 artists (85% of whom were Canadian), and contributed more than $600 million in economic benefits to the city of Toronto. As part of the 35th festivities, the festival is focused on getting local artists and crews back to work, with 90% of the free shows featuring Canadian artists. In an effort to continue to set a precedent on showcasing international acts alongside emerging and local talent, TD Toronto Jazz Fest has expanded its outdoor footprint with additional stages at Victoria University, on the University of Toronto campus, providing even more free live performance spaces providing even more free live performance spaces to and larger audience reach. Music fans of all ages can gather in the OLG Grove, relax in Muskoka Chairs or sit on the grass, and enjoy a wide variety of musical performances throughout the afternoon and into the evening in an intimate setting.

TD Toronto Jazz Fest remains committed to legendary and influential Jazz and R&B greats – this year featuring artists like Gregory Porter, Cory Henry, GoGo Penguin and more – while also reflecting on the evolution of jazz and setting its sights on a more expansive audience range with a number of buzz worthy hip-hop and R&B acts including; Polaris Prize short-list nominee DijahSB, UK musician and producer Kamaal Williams and more. The future of the festival is dedicated to continuing to represent the many genres and communities that make Toronto an eclectic music city, and providing 100s of Canadian musicians a platform to showcase their work.

About TD Toronto Jazz Fest

TD Toronto Jazz Festival now in its 35th year as one of the premiere jazz festivals in North America, runs this summer from June 24 – July 3, 2022. From concert halls and countless FREE Stages in Yorkville, U of T campus and the TD Main Stage on Queen’s Park North, the Festival offers 10 days of a wide range of music all set with the city of Toronto as its backdrop. Music fans alike can enjoy a variety of genres including Funk, Swing, Hip-Hop, Big Band, Brazilian, Klezmer, R&B and more. Previous performing artists have included Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Sonny Rollins, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Dr. John, Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea, Harry Connick Jr., Etta James, Diana Krall, Pat Metheny, Jane Bunnett, Norah Jones, Molly Johnson, Keith Jarrett, Wynton Marsalis; the 2019 lineup included Diana Ross, Norah Jones, Makaya McCraven, Omara Portuondo, Emilie Claire Barlow and The Tower of Power, among others.

Source: Press Release / TD Toronto Jazz Festival