R.I.P. Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul”

The TD Ottawa Jazz Festival sends its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul”. We were fortunate to have presented Aretha to perform at the festival in 2014 where we reported the second largest single ticket sales in the festival’s history. It was extraordinary meeting the great lady herself and to be in the presence of a living legend. She carried all of her history with her and sang it in every song. Her work was alternatively lusty and light, sacred and soulful. She touched every single body in the park that night in a direct, and personal way. When she finished her encore, the audience was feeling the lightning of her extraordinary talent. We will always be grateful to have met the Great Lady. Along with the entire world and four generations, we mourn her passing. – Ottawa Jazz

Photo by Andre Gagne