2025 Jazz Youth Summit

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Musical Journey for Young Jazz Musicians

Each year, nine talented students are selected for an extraordinary opportunity— the Jazz Youth Summit, an intensive program designed for aspiring jazz musicians from high schools and universities across Ottawa. This prestigious initiative, running during the Ottawa Jazz Festival, offers young artists a chance to refine their craft under the mentorship of world-class musicians.

About the Program

Participants are chosen through a competitive audition process featuring pre-recorded submissions. Once selected, they engage in a transformative experience that includes:

• Training & workshops led by internationally renowned artists.
• Masterclasses with jazz major jazz artists.
• Opportunities to perform at the Ottawa Jazz Festival, showcasing their talent on a professional stage.
• Some participants have the opportunity to win a cash bursary.

Past clinicians have included jazz icons such as Ethan Iverson, John Hollenbeck, Dave Douglas, Maria Schneider, Tim Berne & Aurora Nealand, Joel Frahm, Michael Winograd, and many more. In 2023, the program’s finale saw participants opening for Herbie Hancock on the Festival’s Main Stage – a moment they will never forget. After the show they had the opportunity to meet and chat with the legend!

Meet the Program Director: Mike Tremblay

A seasoned musician with over 30 years of industry experience, woodwind specialist Mike Tremblay is a respected faculty member at Carleton University. His impressive career includes performances with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, as well as collaborations with Natalie Cole, Alanis Morissette, Lou Rawls, Bernadette Peters, John Pizzarelli, Diana Ross, and Aretha Franklin. His theatre credits include international tours of The Book of Mormon and Billy Elliott.

A Lasting Impact

Beyond skill development, the Jazz Youth Summit fosters lifelong friendships and professional connections. Many graduates have gone on to establish acclaimed careers. A testament to the program’s impact, former participants, Autobahn returned to the Festival to not only perform but also mentor the next generation of young jazz musicians – a full-circle moment that highlights the program’s enduring influence. Past participants include:

Tara Kannangara
BadBadNotGood
Autobahn
Julian Selody