Sarah Craig Supplied photo
The 11th edition of the Jazz Sudbury Festival commences this week. The festival will feature sounds from national and international artists while highlighting local musicians throughout all of its events.
The festival kicks off with two evening club shows at the Townehouse Tavern and The Alibi Room featuring local bands and DJs.
On Wednesday night, you can relive the golden period of jazz through the post-prohibition era with the local gypsy-jazz ensemble, Hugh Jazz, at the Townehouse Tavern.
On Thursday night, you can enjoy the beautiful sounds of vocalist, pianist and local gem, Sarah Craig at The Alibi Room, and cap off with the night with DJ Wesley’s jazzy mixes.
Friday night on the mainstage features the local 18-piece Sudbury Jazz Orchestra opening up the evening. Headlining on the mainstage will be alternative R&B and new-school jazz group Moonchild, hailing all the way to Sudbury from Los Angeles, Calif.
Friday night on the mainstage also features singer-songwriter Micah Barnes who will be joined on stage by the star of gospel, blues, and jazz, Jackie Richardson, saxophonist and composer Alison Young, and cabaret vocalist Paul Marinaro.
At the Bourbon Street Jazzwalk, spectators can expect an even bigger multi-instrumental parade led by the Heavyweights Brass Band and Sudbury’s own, Nickel City Dixie Stompers.
This year, the event also includes a street closure on Cedar Street in Downtown Sudbury, which will be inspired by the historic and vibrant New Orleans Bourbon Street. The outdoor spectacle on Cedar Street will include aerial acrobats, local artisans and food vendors and will take place on Saturday, Sept. 7 from noon to 3 p.m.
The Saturday night mainstage lineup includes internationally acclaimed vocalist and pianist Carol Welsman, Juno-award winner Robi Botos, first runner up on TVA’s La Voix, Rebecca Noelle, and the winner of Jazz Sudbury’s 2019 Emerging Artist Program, the Ian McGimpsey Quartet from Toronto.
The night is not over yet. After the mainstage events, check out jazz after-hours. On Friday night, local jazz band Alex Pauzé & Friends will be performing at The Alibi Room.
On Saturday night, you can catch high-energy performances by the Shuffle Demons and Heavyweights Brass Band at the Townehouse Tavern.
If you’re looking for a more intimate show, local musicians Brian Québec and James Dorland have got you covered at the Laughing Buddha.
Jazz on the Beach is a free family event that features all local artists. The day includes activities such as drum circles, sing-a-longs and engaging workshops that encourage audience participation. Local acts performing at Jazz on the Beach this year include Afro Madness and Friends, The Dazed, and the first-ever live performance by Jellycap.
The official festival schedule can be found at .
From emerging artists, to the largest Northern Ontario big band the Jazz Sudbury Festival stage has seen, the 11th instalment of the festival is exploding with local musicians. The endless amount of local skill allows for the Jazz Sudbury Festival to place a proud spotlight on homegrown talent.
Tickets are available at Kuppajo Espresso Bar, A&J Home Hardware, Walden Home Hardware, Jett Landry Music, La Fromagerie, Long & McQuade, Val Caron Home Hardware, and Jazz Sudbury office.
For tickets and information, visit www.jazzsudbury.com.
sud.editorial@sunmedia.ca