Event Details

Incorporated in 2014, the TD Niagara Jazz Festival fills a niche need in the Niagara musical performance market. While the organization’s focus is their signature summer Festival in July, they also produce a “Jazz for the Ages” youth program, a Jazz & Blues Series at The Hare Wine Co. and Mahtay Café & Lounge, and a Black History Month series of events in partnership with Niagara Parks Commission.

This application is for the “Niagara Jazz Festival: Summer Music Festival” taking place June 14 to August 1, 2025, in Niagara Falls. Programming includes:

(1) Summer Festival Launch Event: Second Line Celebration and Workshops (Queen Street - Downtown Niagara Falls);

(2) Flagship Event: Niagara’s Summer Mardi Gras (Oakes Garden Theatre): Programming will include informative content that explores the history and heritage of jazz and blues music, and its connection to the Freedom Seekers and Indigenous peoples of the Niagara River corridor and beyond. Tim Johnson, senior advisor for Heritage and Legacy at the Niagara Parks Commission will co-produce the event’s broadcast video presentation with Juliet Dunn, NJF Co-creator/Executive Artistic Producer;

(3) Sax in the City (The Exchange, Niagara Falls);

(4) 4th annual Jazz Picnic (St. George Serbian Orthodox Church);

(5) Soul Jazz in the Vineyard (Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery, St. Catharines): this is a signature event of the Niagara Jazz Festival that features performances by a talented R+B artist (TBD) including the Quincy Bullen Band;

(6) Pop Up Jazz + BBQ (40 Creek Distillery, Grimsby); this is a new event;

(7) Music in the Park (Battle of Beaverdams Park, Thorold, ON): featuring two music stages with various jazz and world music artists and one stage for artist meet and greets and local speakers called ‘Tent Talks’; food trucks; beverage vendors; artisan marketplace; and Kidz Zone. Featured artists include Angelique Francis Band, Sonia Aimy, Nils Fisher, PK Steel Drum Orchestra, The Snakecharmer Indian Bagpipes + Dancers, Johannes Lundstead, Juneyt, and JAZZ 4 the AGES Youth Program Winners and Finalists; and

(8) Emancipation Day Celebration (Ridley College, St. Catharines): featuring a double-bill performance by singer Laurel Tubman and musician Jay Bleus.