If you know me, you know that this time of year is like Christmas. The announcement that signals summer. The release of the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival lineup. In just a few months, musicians will flood our city for the annual festival and it usually sets off a flurry of texts, phone calls, and calendar bookings… basically all out joy. This year there are some major changes to the festival but one thing remains the same 10 days where we head downtown to enjoy live music in the great outdoors.

It’s no secret that the last few years have been tough for the music industry as a whole and to insure sustainability, Saskatoon’s festival organizers have decided to switch things up with a new venue in Victoria Park and a new format. Opening week (June 30 – July 5) will be dedicated to delivering a free program including live music and amenities like beer gardens, food trucks and a family fun zone. That lineup will be announced in April. The festival will then switch over to ticketed days (July 6 – 9, 2023) where, for the purchase of a festival day pass, you will get five performances throughout the day.

Here’s how ticketing will work…

1-Day Pass        $75 (adult) / $37.50 (kids 8-12)

2-Day Pass       $135 (adult) / $75 (kids 8-12)

3-Day Pass      $200 (adult) / 112.50 (kids 8-12)

4-Day Pass     $270 (adult) / $150 (kids 8-12)

Kids 0 – 7 FREE

**If purchasing a multi-day pass, you have to select the days you want at the point of purchase

For a full ticketed program, follow this link.

Here we go!

July 6

 

Amanda Marshall

You couldn’t turn on Top 40 radio in the 90s without hearing Amanda Marshall. The Canadian pop / rock singer wowed us with hits like Let It Rain, Dark Horse and Birmingham. With multiple Juno and MuchMusic Video awards in her trophy case, you’d think Marshall would’ve continued cranking out the hits year after year. Instead, she’s a bit of an enigma with no website or social media presence and only playing a handful of shows each year. Maybe that’s part of the excitement of Marshall’s return to Saskatoon, she headlined the festival in 2017 and brought the house down. This will be a performance full of hits and, maybe, some new music? Her new album is finished but has yet to be released.

Other acts include Storry, Mauvey, Priyanka & The Beaches.

July 7

Serena Ryder

This Canadian has found stardom with pop hits like Weak in the Knees and Stompa and Got Your Number. Ryder has taken her share of hardware home from the Junos. In recent years, she’s focused on bringing awareness to mental health struggles by sharing her own experience in her album The Art of Falling Apart. Her song What I Wouldn’t Do is everywhere right now as she and 50 Canadian musicians teamed up to record the tune in support of Kids Help Phone.

Other acts include Celeigh Cardinal, Devin Cuddy Band, Fred Penner & Blackie & The Rodeo Kings with Daniel Lanois & Terra Lightfoot.

July 8

St. Paul & The Broken Bones

If you’re looking for a modern day revival that’s sure to have you on your feet, look no further than this performance. St. Paul & The Broken Bones is an 8-piece Southern soul act out of Birmingham, Alabama. This band has a honkin’ horn section combined with growling lyrics that I’m positive will leave you wanting more. The band has a new album Angels in Science Fiction out in April and is currently touring North America.

Other acts include The Della Kit, Katie Tupper, Begonia & Johnnyswim.

 

July 9

Margo Price

Nashville country music star and best selling author Margo Price is out on the road supporting her latest album Strays and will be closing out the jazz festival. The American singer songwriter quickly shot to stardom in 2014 when Rolling Stone listing her as a Country Artist You Need To Know. She’s appeared as a musical guest on late night tv including Saturday Night Live. Price has been nominated for a Grammy and taken home several Americana Music Honours. This will be a great addition to the final day of the festival that’s definitely has a country, roots, bluegrass vibe.

Other acts include Eliza Mary Doyle, Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys, The Bros. Landreth & Charley Crockett.