Just as blossoms from the cherry tree take flight from their branches, to give way to rich summer fruit...so too do the improvisory notes from the plaintive horn of the jazz musician cast a spell over Albertans, as our community celebrates Jazz in June.

Join Kodi Hutchinson for A Time for Jazz as he shines a spotlight on the many splendid jazz festivals flowering in the province. Kodi will play music from artists appearing at the festivals this June. It's all about the music and conversation as CKUA celebrates Jazz in June.

Medicine Hat Jazz Festival: June 18 - June 24

Now in its sixteenth year, the Medicine Hat JazzFest has grown from a grassroots community-based event, to a widely recognized world-class festival that has taken its place alongside the other great jazz festivals in Canada. We feature an eclectic mix of venues, running the gamut from our signature concert at the Downtown Bus Terminal Parkade to the intimate and quaint atmosphere of our late night clubs. We feature both free and ticketed events as well as a number of educational opportunities including workshops, jams, and a concert for elementary school children.

Winner of the 2010 Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce Tourism Award of Distinction, the Medicine Hat JazzFest has found a way to bring together great jazz and a community festival that’s all about fun andcelebration, and to do it in the beautiful setting of this small and friendly Alberta city.

Past performers include Lee Konitz, Paquito diRivera, Bobby Hutcherson, Monty Alexander, Andy McKee, Ranee Lee, Olver Jones, Sophie Milman, Jessica Williams, Patricia Barber, Kenny Werner, Renee Rosnes, Joey DeFransesco, Carol Welsman, Ryan Cohan, The Shuffle Demons, Beady Belle, Downchild Blues Band, Powder Blues, Maraca, and Wil Campa.

Get your tickets soon!

NMC Summit Jazz Series: June 27 - June 29

 

The National Music Centre is celebrating their Summit Jazz Series with a 3-day program of workshops and performances with some of the jazz world's best. Join Hilario Duran, Jerry Granelli, and Jane Bunnett for an unforgettable experience.

Find out more at the National Music Centre's website.

 

 

 

Edmonton International Jazz Festival: June 22 - July 1

Chris Botti

The Edmonton International Jazz Festival (EIJF) sparks the city’s summer music celebrations June 22 to July 1, showcasing a range of Edmonton, Canadian and international recording artists.

A pair of multiple Grammy Award winners headline this year’s EIJF in one of the city’s finest performance spaces. The Wayne Shorter Quartet plays the Winspear Centre June 24, with guests the Robi Botos Trio, and trumpeter Chris Botti takes the Winspear stage June 26.

At the Maclab Theatre, Brazilian pianist, composer and vocalist Eliane Elias opens this year’s festival June 22, and guitar-legend Mike Stern makes a repeat EIJF performance June 25.

The Yardbird Series hosts intimate New York-style club shows nightly throughout the Festival, featuring the Barry Elmes Quintet, Médéric Collignon Jus de Bosce, the Chris Tarry Group, Phil Dwyer, the Jerry Granelli Trio, Kristian Blak & Yggdrasil, the François Houle Quintet, the Tommy Smith Quartet and the Terrell Stafford Quintet.

Renowned vibraphonist Peter Appleyard returns to Edmonton for a pair of concerts with two city jazz greats, Tommy Banks and Rollanda Lee June 28 at the TransAlta Arts Barns’ Westbury Theatre.  

Both the Catalyst Series and Cabaret Series feature high-calibre artists for music-lovers of all stripes, while the Cabaret Happy Hour and weekday noon-hour Works with Jazz concerts provide free entertainment for all.

For more information about the 2012 Edmonton International Jazz Festival, please visit www.edmontonjazz.com.

Lethbridge Jazz Festival: June 14-16