Saskatchewan Jazz Festival

The Saskatchewan Jazz Festival (branded as the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival for sponsorship reasons) is an annual outdoor music festival held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Established in 1987, it has largely been held at the gardens of the Delta Bessborough hotel in Saskatoon, and features performers representing many genres—but particularly jazz, blues, and folk.

Saskatchewan Jazz Festival
GenreBlues
Jazz
World music
Location(s)Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Canada
Years active1987–2019, 2021–
Websitewww.saskjazz.com

Concerts

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The Bessborough Gardens, the historic site of the festival's main stage.

The event features live performances from various locations in downtown Saskatoon; two of the festival's main locations have been the Delta Bessborough hotel (which hosts the ticketed "TD Mainstage" events), and Victoria Park along the South Saskatchewan River, which hosts events that are free to attend. Other festival venues have included the Broadway Theatre.[1]

Awards

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The Special Recognition Award is awarded for making significant contributions to Jazz of Saskatchewan or Canada. Since 1989 musicians, educators, or supporters have received this award.[2]

Special Recognition Award
Year Recipient
1989 Paul Perry
1990 Gordie Brandt
1981 Chris Gage
1992 Bridge City Dixieland Jazz Band
1993 Herbie Spanier
1984 Jon Ballantyne
1995 Bob Moyer
1996 Solstice
1997 Jim Moffat
1998 Barney Kutz
1999 Bobby Klassen
2000 Don Watson
2001 Don Keeler
2002 Dr. Ed Lewis
2003 Ray Dahlen Sound
2003 Peter Dyksman
2005 Broadway Bill Watson
2006 Maurice Drouin
2007 Pat Steel
2008 Fred Ballantyne
2009 Ted Warren
2010 Jack Semple
2011 Dean McNeill
2012 Sheldon Corbett
2013 Don Griffith
2014 Kelly Jefferson
2015 Al Muirhead
2016 Barrie Redford
2017 Skip Kutz
2018 Ross Ulmer
2019 Suzie Vinnick

History

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The first sponsor of the Jazz festival was du Maurier Ltd, and the festival was only held in Saskatoon for a short run of only 5 days. Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, and Prince Albert are various venues which include performances. 2003 there was also performances held in Lloydminster. 2006 saw the 20th anniversary of the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival and was recorded as the second largest jazz festival of Western Canada with attendance of over 40000.[3]

The 2020 festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event returned for 2021, although downsized with only Canadian talent due to travel restrictions.[4][5] In 2022, the festival moved its free programming to Saskatoon's downtown Victoria Park, including Canada Day festivities headlined by country musician Tenille Arts.[6] In 2023, citing economic conditions and a pivot to provide a streamlined event with more free programming, it was announced that the events held at Bessborough would be moved to Victoria Park.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Performers excited to be back at Saskatchewan Jazz Festival". CTV News Saskatoon. 2022-07-02. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  2. ^ "Awards". saskjazz.com. The Saskatchewan Jazz Festival. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  3. ^ "SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival : Archives". Archived from the original on August 20, 2007. Retrieved June 11, 2007.
  4. ^ "Saskatchewan Jazz Festival returns in August 2021 | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  5. ^ "Sask. Jazz Festival announces lineup for scaled-down event". 650 CKOM. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  6. ^ "Jazz Fest marks 35th anniversary with new and familiar events". thestarphoenix. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  7. ^ "SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival announces upcoming event with new vision and location". Global News. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
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52°07′34″N 106°39′29″W / 52.1260°N 106.6581°W / 52.1260; -106.6581