Captivating Stories from the 2023 Line-Up
In the realm of music, there are certain artists whose backstories captivate audiences with their unique journeys and experiences. These musicians’ stories serve as a testament to the transformative power of music and the ability of artists to inspire others.
Feist
June 23rd, 2023 at 8:30pm, Confederation Park Main Stage
A giant on the indie scene, Feist has been wowing audiences with her hauntingly beautiful voice since even before her breakthrough 2007 album The Reminder. The album’s lead single: “1234” famously starred in an Apple iPod Nano commercial and topped the charts in several countries. Known for her unique evocative sound, her influences include indie rock, folk, pop and jazz. Watch this interview for more about Feist’s journey as a new mother and her latest album Multitudes (2023). Read more >>
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The Ostara Project
June 27th, 2023 at 9:00pm, National Arts Centre’s Fourth Stage
This jazz supergroup – spearheaded by award-winning musicians Jodi Proznick and Amanda Tosoff – is a collective of Canadian women intended to reflect the diversity of Canada’s jazz landscape. Named after the Germanic goddess Ostara, the group is a metaphor for creativity rising out of the darkness, reaching for light while being buoyed on by hope. Membership of the supergroup is fluid, and the group currently consists of 7 women – all of whom are top-tier musicians, composers and bandleaders themselves. Watch this mini-doc of the Ostara Project. Read more >>
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Melody Gardot
June 26th at 8:30pm, Confederation Park Main Stage
Melody Gardot’s life story is nothing short of amazing, surviving a life-threatening accident through the power of musical therapy and thriving as a singer, guitarist, and pianist. Melody’s dusky vocal style is felt within moments of first listening to her soulful combination of jazz, Latin and Brazilian music. Following a near-fatal bicycle hit-and-run at the age of just 19, she would write her first EP Some Lessons (2005) while in her hospital bed. Here’s Melody unfiltered in an Independent article following her last album’s release. Read more >>
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Mary Ancheta
Mary Ancheta Quartet,
June 26th at 6:30pm, Confederation Park Main Stage
Based out of Vancouver, Mary Ancheta’s Quartet is highlighted by Ancheta herself playing the keys and synth. A Canadian- Filipina artist originally born in Hamilton, Ancheta aims to tell more diverse musical stories than what is often represented in the mainstream. Her sound also reflects a certain grittiness – favouring a raw style of arresting melodies and irresistible grooves over perfection. Her composed works can be heard on popular shows across networks such as Netflix, HBO, Showtime, and many more. Watch Mary Ancheta Quartet’s performance of their original song “Level Up.” Read more >>
Aline Homzy
Aline’s étoile magique,
June 26th at 6:30pm, National Arts Centre’s Fourth Stage
Aline – who will be leading her first musical project Aline’s étoile magique this summer – is one of Canada’s finest jazz violinists and an award-winning composer, having had her music played all over the world at renowned music venues.
Wanting to expand music to a more financially-diverse audience, she has collaborated with elected officials to showcase local musicians and led a concert of 4 women-leaders that sold out the Canadian Music Centre in 2018. Check out this live in-studio recording of Aline. Read more >>
Angelique Francis
June 28th at 6:30pm, Confederation Park Main Stage
Born and raised in Ottawa, Angelique is a versatile and naturally gifted musician – first garnering attention as a young prodigy writing and composing for US TV networks as a 13 year old. Her music style is full of variety, with her eclectic mix of musical genres including blues, soul, folk, Americana, jazz, gospel and rock. Since graduating from Carleton University in 2019, Angelique’s music career has been a family affair – with her father and 2 out of 3 of her sisters playing in her band. Check out this music video for Angelique’s song Ashamed. Read more >>
Get TicketsCheck out our staff-curated playlist featuring empowering artists that the Jazz Festival will be featuring this year: