About

Summer of 1980

To celebrate and develop the popular jazz scene in Ottawa, local musicians Bob Misener, Tony Pope and Bill Shuttleworth founded a festival that eventually became what we know today as the Ottawa Jazz Festival.

1981-1984

The Festival grew quickly, attracting large crowds and big names such as Stan Getz, Sonny Rollins, Herb Ellis, Bob Brookmeyer, Wynton Marsalis and Milt Jackson.

Mid-1980s

Shaped by Programming Manager Jacques Émond, the Festival booked more and more renowned musicians, including Sonny Rollins, Jack DeJohnette and Ornette Coleman.

1989

The Festival moved to its own stage in Confederation Park.

1990

Programming began to reflect Jacques' love of big band music and West Coast jazz. Jacques was always commended for his ability to spot up-and-comers before they were mainstream — artists such as Diana Krall, D.D. Jackson and Dave Douglas. 

1996

Catherine O’Grady took over as Executive Producer of the Festival. Thanks to great management, the board of directors and the community, the Festival has become financially solvent and has seen an audience increase of 300%.

1999

The Festival’s big break came with the programming of Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. A record-breaking 8,000 people were in attendance, ultimately putting the Festival on the international map.

2000

Year-long programming was introduced. The Festival sold out two major concerts at the National Arts Centre, and in October, hosted the Buena Vista Social Club (also a sold-out show).

2001

Jazz at the Lincoln Center Orchestra returned and tickets sold out in just 72 hours with 8,000 people in attendance – a new record!

2010

The Festival celebrated its 30th anniversary of consecutive programming, boasting the largest loyal audience of its kind in eastern Ontario. Since then, the Festival has presented some of the most dynamic jazz artists on the scene, from the traditional to the avant-garde, such as Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock, Salif Keita, Dave Brubeck, Mavis Staples, Roy Haynes, Toots Thielemans, Branford Marsalis, Béla Fleck, Kenny Werner, Stanley Jordan, Sonny Rollins, Terence Blanchard, Diana Krall, D.D. Jackson, Maynard Ferguson, and John Mayall.

2011

The Festival’s total attendance hit 295,000.

Petr Cancura was appointed as the new programming manager, only the second in the Festival’s 32 years.

2020

The 40th TD Ottawa Jazz Festival was cancelled due to COVID-19. The Festival responded with Tenacity, a live-streamed event, featuring 85 artists in 12 free shows.

In November, four shows — also live-streamed —were presented to a limited live audience with strict safety protocols in place. 

2021

Nimble and resilient, as restrictions continued, the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival presented some of the industry’s most ground-breaking artists throughout the year, whether virtually and or in person when permitted. 

2022

Live events were back and the Ottawa Jazz Festival made its return to Confederation Park.

2023-2024

Continuing with its critically acclaimed programming, the Festival continues to recover from the pandemic with substantial growth each year. Tourism to the Festival makes a big come back!

2025

Get ready for an unforgettable musical experience at the 45th edition of the Ottawa Jazz Festival, where world-class artists and rising stars will bring Ottawa to life with electrifying performances. Join us in the heart of downtown Ottawa from June 20 – 29 for an incredible lineup of jazz, soul, and global sounds, creating the ultimate summer celebration of music and culture!