Toronto has a brand new jazz festival and it’s all about celebrating the city’s richly diverse local talent pool.
The JazzInToronto Community Celebration took place throughout the downtown core May 30, 31 and June 1st. Produced by musicians Lina Welch and Ori Dagan – who collectively run JazzInToronto, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting live music – the festival is a young grassroots affair fueled by a passion for community.
From Swing and Bebop to Soul and R&B, rising stars to veteran virtuosos, the weekend featured something for everyone.
On Friday, May 30, the festival opened with FREE concerts presented by the St. Lawrence Market District on Market Street. Recently returned from a successful tour of New Orleans, young sensation Trombone Charlotte brought new life into early jazz classics to launch the festival at 5pm, followed at 7pm by the hot Afro-Cuban sounds of an exhilarating quartet led by Lady Son aka Yeti Ajasin on vocals and percussion. The evening concluded one block west with a Tap Dance Jazz Jam event at C’est What (67 Front St E) that featured an opening set by host Cori Giannotta.
On Saturday May 31st at 11:30am, the festival continued its showcasing of world music with the Ona Ensemble at The Rex Hotel (194 Queen St W); led by Olivia Esther, the unique Canadian-Brazilian chamber jazz ensemble features two French horns, bassoon, reeds and a rhythm section performing choro, samba and jazz.
Moving slightly north to Yorkville’s Liss Gallery (112 Cumberland St), Saturday afternoon featured an intimate concert at 3:30pm by flamenco guitar master Roger Scannura.
At 8pm, the festival’s flagship concert, “Overjoyed: Celebrating 75 Years of Stevie Wonder” took place inside the TD Music Hall in the newly renovated Massey Hall (178 Victoria St). For this exciting evening honouring the iconic singer-songwriter, award- winning pianist Michael Shand led an 8-piece band with vocalists Selena Evangeline, Queen Mary the Artist, Robert Ball and Chris Rouse. The night concluded with a jam session led by University of Toronto jazz student Selena Savage who is already appearing regularly at venues around the city as bandleader, arranger, trombonist and vocalist.
The final day of the festival, Sunday June 1st started at 11am at The Rex Hotel with a masterclass by JUNO- nominated pianist Mark Eisenman who inspired young pianists by sharing some of his wisdom about the art accompanying vocalists.
In a nod to the beginning of Pride Month, from 2:00-4:30pm the same venue presented the album launch for “Alex Samaras Meets Judy Garland,” featuring the stunning vocals of Samaras in a heartfelt tribute to the iconic artist with the bare accompaniment of Steven Noronha on piano and David French on saxophone.
To conclude the festival, the elegant Jazz Bistro (251 Victoria Street) hosted a very special concert reuniting Order of Canada member and 5-time JUNO winner Jane Bunnett with her musical kindred spirit, acclaimed avant-garde pianist Marilyn Lerner. The two started their jazz journey as a duo in 1977 and although their careers have taken them in separate directions, they have remained close friends since then. For this special reunion, Bunnett and Lerner shared some classic Ellington, Strayhorn and Monk standards which they learned together nearly five decades ago, as well as original compositions.
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JazzInToronto Fall Fund Drive 2025
JazzInToronto.ca Officially Launches
Connecting Toronto’s Live Music Community Online
August 5, 2025
We are delighted to announce the official launch of JazzInToronto.ca, your new digital hub for Toronto’s vibrant jazz scene.
JazzInToronto.ca is designed to connect artists, fans, venues, and promoters—bringing the entire community together in one accessible online space. Our mission is to support local jazz by providing up-to-date event listings, featured artist profiles, festival highlights, and more.
What’s New
We invite you to explore the new website, register as an artist, and make your mark on Toronto’s jazz calendar. Together, let’s celebrate and grow our city’s incredible live music culture.
Visit JazzInToronto.ca and be part of Toronto’s jazz story from day one.
JazzInToronto’s Late Night Jam Session at The Emmet Ray
Join us every week for this community event, which, thanks to our sponsors, is FREE for jammers and Pay-What-You-Can for listeners!
These informal, friendly, inclusive sessions are a safe space for all in the cozy Emmet Ray (924 College Street). Kitchen open until midnight, arrive early for the best seats.
How it works: the house band plays a short set and then the jam host welcomes instrumentalists and vocalists of all levels to take the stage in an informal session. The stage is shared by everyone so feel free to get up when the time is right, and don’t stay up for more than a few songs at a time. If you need any help or guidance, ask the host.
If you are a young musician then this is the jam for you to meet others, get inspired, and take the stage if you are comfortable performing jazz standards, blues or the occasional pop tune.
If you are a jazz fan who does not perform but loves the music, then this is also the place for you! Discover some of the up-and-coming talent, rising stars as well as established players who often drop by after their gigs.
Thank You to our returning sponsors for making this session accessible to all: Gruvi Non-Alcoholic; Great Lakes Brewery, Woodhouse Brewing, County Cider.
Our rotating hosts this summer are: Ori Dagan, Alison Kerfoot, Selena Savage and Angela Pincente.
For information on the jam, contact info@jazzintoronto.ca
For brands interested in sponsorship opportunities, contact info@theemmetray.com
JazzInToronto Community Celebration 2025
Toronto has a brand new jazz festival and it’s all about celebrating the city’s richly diverse local talent pool.
The JazzInToronto Community Celebration took place throughout the downtown core May 30, 31 and June 1st. Produced by musicians Lina Welch and Ori Dagan – who collectively run JazzInToronto, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting live music – the festival is a young grassroots affair fueled by a passion for community.
From Swing and Bebop to Soul and R&B, rising stars to veteran virtuosos, the weekend featured something for everyone.
On Friday, May 30, the festival opened with FREE concerts presented by the St. Lawrence Market District on Market Street. Recently returned from a successful tour of New Orleans, young sensation Trombone Charlotte brought new life into early jazz classics to launch the festival at 5pm, followed at 7pm by the hot Afro-Cuban sounds of an exhilarating quartet led by Lady Son aka Yeti Ajasin on vocals and percussion. The evening concluded one block west with a Tap Dance Jazz Jam event at C’est What (67 Front St E) that featured an opening set by host Cori Giannotta.
On Saturday May 31st at 11:30am, the festival continued its showcasing of world music with the Ona Ensemble at The Rex Hotel (194 Queen St W); led by Olivia Esther, the unique Canadian-Brazilian chamber jazz ensemble features two French horns, bassoon, reeds and a rhythm section performing choro, samba and jazz.
Moving slightly north to Yorkville’s Liss Gallery (112 Cumberland St), Saturday afternoon featured an intimate concert at 3:30pm by flamenco guitar master Roger Scannura.
At 8pm, the festival’s flagship concert, “Overjoyed: Celebrating 75 Years of Stevie Wonder” took place inside the TD Music Hall in the newly renovated Massey Hall (178 Victoria St). For this exciting evening honouring the iconic singer-songwriter, award- winning pianist Michael Shand led an 8-piece band with vocalists Selena Evangeline, Queen Mary the Artist, Robert Ball and Chris Rouse. The night concluded with a jam session led by University of Toronto jazz student Selena Savage who is already appearing regularly at venues around the city as bandleader, arranger, trombonist and vocalist.
The final day of the festival, Sunday June 1st started at 11am at The Rex Hotel with a masterclass by JUNO- nominated pianist Mark Eisenman who inspired young pianists by sharing some of his wisdom about the art accompanying vocalists.
In a nod to the beginning of Pride Month, from 2:00-4:30pm the same venue presented the album launch for “Alex Samaras Meets Judy Garland,” featuring the stunning vocals of Samaras in a heartfelt tribute to the iconic artist with the bare accompaniment of Steven Noronha on piano and David French on saxophone.
To conclude the festival, the elegant Jazz Bistro (251 Victoria Street) hosted a very special concert reuniting Order of Canada member and 5-time JUNO winner Jane Bunnett with her musical kindred spirit, acclaimed avant-garde pianist Marilyn Lerner. The two started their jazz journey as a duo in 1977 and although their careers have taken them in separate directions, they have remained close friends since then. For this special reunion, Bunnett and Lerner shared some classic Ellington, Strayhorn and Monk standards which they learned together nearly five decades ago, as well as original compositions.