Calgary’s International Jazz Days
Join JazzYYC and get into the groove with eight days of music and activities
Get ready, one jazzy party is about to begin! Every year on April 30, jazz music as an international art form is recognized for promoting peace and dialogue among cultures, diversity, respect for human dignity, the eradication of discrimination, fostering gender equality, and promoting individual expression.
And did you know that Calgary is one of the only cities in the world to take the inspiration from International Jazz Day and expand it into a full eight-day festival? Join JazzYYC this April and take in events including a children’s show, jazz jams, lunch and learns, and an all-day JazzWalk in Inglewood.
The week is full of mostly free shows aimed at raising awareness of the need for intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, and seeks to reinforce international cooperation and communication.
Unsure where to start? Here are our top picks to check out:
Lady V & The Hot 3
April 24, 2018, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Country Hills Library (11950 Country Village Link NE)
Free
Lead by vocalist Viviane Martin, this band interacts masterfully to serve up a fun and adventurous musical ride for the listener. The performance includes interesting and creative arrangements of jazz standards as well as originals.
jazzyyc.com
Music with Mandy (Children’s Show)
April 25, 2018, 10:00 – 11:00pm
Shawnessy Public Library (333 Shawville Blvd. SE)
Free
An ongoing collaborative project to bring jazz and other styles of music to families, Mandy Morris works with professional musicians to bring families and communities together to enjoy the arts. She features performers of every genre in this family-friendly show because she believes that music should be approachable for everyone.
jazzyyc.com
ProArts@Noon Presents Brian Buchanan
April 25, 2018, 12:10 – 12:50pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free
Pianist Brian Buchanan continues to earn respect as a Canadian jazz artist and has shared the stage with numerous legends including Clark Terry, Herb Ellis, Chet Baker, and Mark Murphy. See him perform at this free lunch hour concert presented in partnership with ProArts@Noon.
jazzyyc.com
Antonina Grover & Esteban Herrera Duo
April 27, 2018, 11:30am – 1:30pm
Village Square Public Library (2623 56th St. NE)
Free
Vocalist Antonina Grover artfully explores the jazz idiom ranging from mid-tempo swing to bossa nova and is joined by Mexican pianist Esteban Herrera. Swing by and enjoy this free concert.
jazzyyc.com
Tri-Tone Productions & JazzYYC Live Music Tap Jam & Open Mic
April 28, 2018, 7:30 – 10:30pm
North on Centre (2820 Centre St. NE)
Free
Join Jazz YYC and Tri-Tone Productions for a fun mix of tap dance, vocal, and instrumental jazz. Hosts Tasha Lawson, Egor Ukoloff, Jason Valleau, and Jon May bring and infectious energy to the evening. This event is open to performers and spectators of all ages.
jazzyyc.com
CADME & JazzYYC Youth in Jazz Faculty Concert
April 28, 2018, 8:00 – 10:00pm
Ironwood Stage & Grill (1229 9th Ave. SE)
$20 at the door
Grammy Award-winning jazz trumpeter Brian Lynch performs with an all-star lineup of Calgary’s top players as part of CADME and JazzYYC’s Youth in Jazz concert. One of the few ticketed events of the week, it’s sure to be a delight.
jazzyyc.com
Cornerstone Music Cafe Jazz Brunch
April 29, 2018, 11:00am – 2:00pm
Cornerstone Music Café (139, 14919 Deer Ridge Dr. SE)
Free
Featuring the Jeremy Gignoux Trio, this is the perfect Sunday morning treat. Gignoux plays between the lines of being a violinist and a fiddler to develop an original sound and technique. Joined by Nathan M. Godfrey on resonator guitar and Aaron Scholpp on stand-up bass, you won’t want to miss this concert.
jazzyyc.com
JazzWalk
April 29, 2018, 12:00 – 4:00pm
Throughout Inglewood & along the Music Mile
Free
Presented by TD and the Inglewood BIA, this free, family-friendly event weaves its way through various venues throughout Inglewood and the Music Mile! It’s a great way to check out all that Calgary has to offer in local jazz music, explore multiple shows in multiple venues. There’s a little something for everyone, from the jazz aficionado to the newest listener.
jazzyyc.com
Wendy Lomnes & Andréa Petrity
April 29, 2018, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Bowness Library (6532 Bowness Rd. NW)
Free
A vocalist who enjoys performing songs from the Great American Songbook, Wendy Lomnes also has tunes from the 60s and 70s in her repertoire. Accompanied by talented pianist Andréa Petrity, don’t miss this afternoon of unusual arrangements.
jazzyyc.com
Willy Joosen
April 30, 2018, 11:30am – 1:30pm
TD Canada Trust (317 7th Ave. SW)
Free
Best known for his work as the organist for the Calgary Flames, Willy Joosen’s musical tastes and talents include playing slow and silky jazz to suddenly breaking out into riffs from Ms. Pac Man. A stalwart contributor to the Calgary music scene, see him perform for free at this lunch hour concert.
jazzyyc.com
Music at the CORE
April 30, 2018, 11:30am – 1:30pm
The CORE (324 8th Ave. SW)
Free
And speaking of free lunch hour concerts, why make a trip of it and check out the Karl Roth Trio at The CORE? Trust us when we say you won’t want to miss the deep, sultry voice of this Calgary musician.
jazzyyc.com
Ambrose University Jazz Combo, Geneviève Marentette & Tri-Tone Tap
April 30, 2018, 6:00 – 10:00pm
Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre (850 4th St. SE)
Free
Cap your jazz celebrations and join JazzYYC for this official wrap up concert. Set in the picturesque National Music Centre Skybridge, the evening kicks off with a welcome reception featuring music from the Ambrose University Jazz Combo. And be sure to stick around as the main concert gets rolling with music from Toronto jazz vocalist Geneviève Marentette and her quintet alongside set break entertainment from the renowned Tri-Tone Tap ensemble.
jazzyyc.com
Celebrate Calgary’s International Jazz Days April 22 to 30, 2018 at venues around the city. Head to jazzyyc.com for the full schedule.
