JazzinToronto is a volunteer-driven not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting live music, with the goal of connecting musicians, audiences, venues and presenters. Our small team of dedicated volunteers collaborates to create vital online content including daily concert listings, video documentation of the live music scene, and event curation across the GTA. Our ever expanding online follower base has turned us into a community hub which also functions as a spotlight for the Toronto jazz community on an international level.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we pivoted to present online concerts on our Facebook page by giving musicians temporary access. We promoted the concerts and gave 100% of tips collected to the artists. The “Jazz from Home” series gave solo artists, domestic partners and student roomates rare opportunities to perform in a very dark time.
In June 2021 we presented our first festival, supported by a grant from Canada Council. The concept was to present live-streamed concerts from 9 different Toronto venues: The Rex, Lula Lounge, The Emmet Ray, Motel Bar, Jazz Bistro, Tranzac, Drom Taberna, The Senator and Koerner Hall. In a welcome surprise, the festival became a hybrid experience as the first pandemic event to allow in-person audiences as restrictions were lifted that week.
In April 2022 JazzInToronto presented the College Street Jazz Festival, presenting concerts at Revival, College Street United Church, Free Times Cafe, Sellers & Newel, Bar Pompette and The Emmet Ray. The lineup featured 90% female-identifying artists, including Laila Biali Trio, Trash Panda Brass, and Tara Moneka’s DIJLAH.
In May 2025 JazzInToronto launched a new annual Community Celebration, made possible by a partnership with the City of Toronto’s Music Office and additional support from St. Lawrence Market District, Merriam Music and On the Off Beat Music School.
JazzInToronto is currently curating events around Toronto including partnerships with The Emmet Ray, Hugh’s Room Live, Neu Lokal, The Only Cafe, The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar and The ROM.
