Toronto Jazz Fest Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Hear Jazz, Blues, R&B, Gospel, Rock and More as the City’s Largest Music Festival Takes Over This Summer!

TORONTO – Celebrating its 30th anniversary this summer, the TD Toronto Jazz Festival runs from June 24 – July 3, 2016 featuring a diverse range of musicians including heavyweights, rising stars and established artists such as:

Gregory Porter * Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings * Oliver Jones Trio * Joe Jackson * Robert Glasper Experiment * Avishai Cohen Trio * Grace Potter * Allen Stone * Michael Franti * Lee Fields * Eagle Rock Gospel Singers * Bill Charlap Trio * Fanfare Ciocarlia * The Hot Sardines * Robi Botos * David Braid * Broadsway * Heather Bambrick * Laila Biali * Hilario Durán * Jane Bunnett & The Spirits of Havana * Lemon Bucket Orkestra * Alex Pangman * Phil Dwyer * Melissa Stylianou * John Alcorn and many more!

Tickets are on sale, Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at Ticketpro or by calling 1.888.655.9090.

* They join previously announced artists, Sarah McLachlan, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea Trio with Christian McBride and Brian Blade, Joey Alexander Trio, Ramsey Lewis Quartet and Meow Meow.

** For tickets to Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, Meow Meow and Ramsey Lewis with Joey Alexander, visit Koerner Hall or call 416.408.0208.

*** For tickets to Sarah McLachlan visit the Sony Centre or call 1.855.872.7669.

We’re excited every year for the Festival, but this year feels extra special – our 30th anniversary is a great time to pause and reflect on 30 years of the TD Toronto Jazz Festival,” states Artistic Director, Josh Grossman. “I feel so fortunate to help bring to our stages each year the most exciting musicians, playing the most exciting music. In 2016, we are truly featuring some of the most important artists in the development of jazz over the past 30 years, and some of the artists who are set to take jazz – and the Festival – into the future.”

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2016
The Festival is pleased to expand its footprint and partner, for the first time, with Second Cup Co. at the new concept cafe at King Street and John Street. Programming will be chosen to reflect the contemporary and laid-back environment, showcasing the wide variety of jazz being performed in Toronto year-round.

The Mainstage tent at Nathan Phillips Square will now feature new seating options, allowing patrons to choose their seats for every ticketed performance on the Toronto Star Stage. There will be three seating options to choose from – Reserved Seating with an assigned row and seat number amongst the best seats in the house; Lounge Premium Seating with guaranteed access to the elevated lounge, however seating is first come, first served; and General Admission to the main floor seating where seating is also first come, first served.

Toronto’s current longest standing jazz club, The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar, will play host to nightly, late-night jam sessions. Led by Chris Gale, it is the place to be this summer for a good hang. And you just never know which musicians will drop in, ready to jam.

FESTIVAL LINEUP AT A GLANCE:
For the past 29 years, the TD Toronto Jazz Festival has presented some of the biggest names in jazz. As we approach our 30th edition, the Festival honours the legendary names with artists such as Ramsey Lewis, Wynton Marsalis and Chick Corea; pays respects to the established veterans including Avishai Cohen, Sharon Jones, Bill Charlap and David Braid; and looks forward to the rising stars who are pushing the boundaries of jazz – Robert Glasper, Gregory Porter, Joey Alexander and The Hot Sardines.

Friday, June 24
TBA: A free opening night performance TBA at a later date – Nathan Phillips Square at 8:30 p.m.
Bill Charlap Trio – Jazz Bistro at 8 p.m. / 10 p.m.
Heather Bambrick and Friends with the Russ Little Quartet featuring Alex Pangman – Home Smith Bar at The Old Mill – 7:30 p.m.
*An Evening with Sarah McLachlan – Sony Centre at 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 25
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – Nathan Phillips Square at 8:30 p.m.
Bill Charlap Trio – Jazz Bistro at 8 p.m. / 10 p.m.
Heather Bambrick and Friends with the Russ Little Quartet featuring Broadsway – Home Smith Bar at The Old Mill at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 26
Lee Fields & The Expressions / Allen Stone – Nathan Phillips Square at 8:30 p.m.
Laila Biali Trio with special guest Phil Dwyer – Jazz Bistro at 8 p.m. / 10 p.m.

Monday, June 27
Grace Potter – Nathan Phillips Square at 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 28
Gregory Porter – Nathan Phillips Square at 8:30 p.m.
Oliver Jones Trio: The Farewell Tour – Jane Mallett Theatre at 8 p.m.
Robi Botos / Paul Novotny Duo – Jazz Bistro at 8 p.m. / 10 p.m.
*Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis – Koerner Hall at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, June 29
Robert Glasper Experiment – Nathan Phillips Square at 8:30 p.m.
Eagle Rock Gospel Singers – Horseshoe Tavern at 10 p.m.
Fanfare Ciocarlia (with Lemon Bucket Orkestra) – Opera House at 9 p.m.
Robi Botos & Hilario Duran Duo – Jazz Bistro at 8 p.m. / 10 p.m.
*Chick Corea Trio with Christian McBride and Brian Blade – Koerner Hall at 8 p.m.

Thursday, June 30
T.B.A. – Nathan Phillips Square at 8:30 p.m.
Avishai Cohen Trio – Jane Mallett Theatre at 8 p.m.
Robi Botos Quartet featuring Seamus Blake – Jazz Bistro at 8 p.m. / 10 p.m.
*Joey Alexander Trio / Ramsey Lewis Quartet – Koerner Hall at 8 p.m.

Friday, July 1
Michael Franti & Spearhead – Nathan Phillips Square at 8:30 p.m.
Music From Born To Be Blue with Braid, Turcotte, Wallace & Clarke – Jazz Bistro at 8 p.m. / 10 p.m.
Heather Bambrick and Friends with the Russ Little Quartet featuring Melissa Stylianou – Home Smith Bar at The Old Mill at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 2
Joe Jackson – Nathan Phillips Square at 8:30 a.m.
The Hot Sardines – Horseshoe Tavern at 10 p.m.
Heather Bambrick and Friends with the Russ Little Quartet featuring John Alcorn – Home Smith Bar at The Old Mill at 7:30 p.m.

Whatever flavour of jazz you enjoy, find it at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival this summer, running from June 24 – July 3, 2016, as more than 1,500 musicians perform in over 350 concerts. Discover a new artist, explore different genres and attend a live concert surrounded by thousands as the city’s largest music festival takes over for 10 incredible days of non-stop activity. Experience music the way you want it!

For more information: free concerts series, including the lunchtime concerts and outdoor stage at Nathan Phillips Square, Distillery District and more, visit www.torontojazz.com