Forget tulips! My sign that hope is in sight and spring is on its way is the announcement of the lineup for the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival. It’s 10 days of music in all its forms live on stage all over the city. This year’s festival runs July 3 – 12. The Bassment will be the first of the ticketed venues (July 3 – 6), then two nights at the Broadway Theatre (July 8 – 9), and wrapping up with the mainstage in Victoria Park (July 9 – 12).

The festival is once again using a day pass system for shows in Victoria Park. Your ticket will get you into see the headliner as well as all the other acts sharing that stage throughout the day. Like last year, the Victoria Park set up will have an artisan market, beer gardens, food trucks, yoga in the park, and a family fun zone with games and activities to keep everyone entertained between sets. The Bassment and Broadway Theatre shows are individually priced tickets for each event.

Here’s a breakdown of how ticket prices…

July 3- 6     Strictly Jazz Series at The Bassment   Tickets – $50

July 8 & 9  Broadway Theatre  Tickets – $50 – $85

July 9 – 12  Victoria Park  Tickets – $80

Kids 0 – 7 FREE

*Tickets go on sale Monday March 10th and can be purchased online or through the Broadway Theatre box office.

Here’s the link for the full ticketed program.

 

Now let’s get to the music. I’m including links to each artist so you can get a taste of what’s in store.

 

Victoria Park

Allison Russell

July 9

After a huge year on the All Returners Tour, Allison Russell is headed to Saskatoon. We’ve been anxious to see this Grammy award winning artist and she’ll kick off the main stage series in Victoria Park. Day one will be big with performances by acts including Regina alt-country act Wolf Willow,  roots artist Julian Taylor  who has shared the stage with Russell (maybe there will be an on-stage collab?), and folk/country artist William Prince.

 

Jimmie Vaughan and the Tilt-A-Whirl Band

July 10

It’s just what the doctor ordered for blues fans! Four time Grammy award winner Jimmie Vaughan is coming to the main stage with the Tilt-A-Whirl Band to perform. Vaughan has toured and collaborated with the likes of Bonnie Raitt and will be hot off the road and coming straight to us for this show. Warming the crowd up throughout the day will be Saskatoon’s The Blue Mules, 23 year-old B.C. blues man Garret T. Willie, and famed Canadian singer-songwriter Barney Bentall.

 

Chantal Kreviazuk

July 11

If you were a fan of the 90s explosion of incredible female talent, Day 3 on the mainstage is for you. Manitoba singer, songwriter and composer Chantal Kreviazuk shot to fame with hits like Far Away, Surrounded… And who didn’t fall in love to her rendition of Leaving on a Jet Plane from the Armageddon soundtrack? Kreviazuk will share the stage that day with Regina’s Marissa Burwell and American singer-songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins. The program also includes one for the Dawson’s Creek fans in all of us… American singer-songwriter Paula Cole. I Don’t Want To Wait for that one!

 

Lake Street Dive

July 12

If you’re looking for R&B grooves, you’ll want to check out Day 4 in Victoria Park with headliners Lake Street Dive. The Boston quintet is a festival circuit favourite blending pop hooks with infectious melodies. The lineup also includes Saskatchewan’s own Nick Faye who just released his latest single Undone. Vancouver “art-pop” guitarist Ayla Tesler-Mabe and Saskatoon’s own neo-soul musician Katie Tupper will hit the stage for a full day of incredible music.

 

Strictly Jazz Series at The Bassment

Anthony D’Alessandro Quartet feat. Benny Benack III

July 3

Canadian pianist, composer and arranger Anthony D’Alessandro is bringing his quartet and NYC based vocalist Benny Benack III to the stage for a swinging good time. They frequently collaborate together and released a debut full length album Searchin’ just last year quickly receiving critical acclaim. This is uplifting, feel-good jazz.

 

Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio

July 4

The Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio (DLO3) is an American soul-jazz group with five albums under its belt. Fans of the Hammond B-3 organ, you’re not going to want to miss this show. The group blends 70s soul with R&B, and funk for a truly original sound.

 

Jill Barber

July 5

Canada’s singing sweetheart Jill Barber will be back in our city for the festival. Many of us are familiar with Barber’s work in English but she’s also a very accomplished chanteuse performing in French with the release of 2024’s Encore!. Reimagined classics from artists like Edith Piaf, Charles Trenet, Django Reinhardt, and Josephine Baker will have you falling in love all over again.

 

Hutchinson Andrew Trio

July 6

It’s a tribute to “The Senator”, Canadian pianist and jazz legend Tommy Banks who died in 2018. The Hutchinson Andrew Trio is made up of friends, colleagues and students of Banks and the group recorded an album to pay homage to Banks. This tribute to the beloved Canadian musician is safe in their hands. With Banks’ granddaughter Mallory Chipman on vocals you can’t go wrong. This will be an evening of standards like Take the A-Train, All of Me, and I’ll Be Seeing You.

 

The Broadway Theatre

Joshua Redman Quartet

July 8

He’s one of the biggest names in the modern jazz era. Joshua Redman has been synonymous with the New York jazz scene since the 90s. Together they’ve hit No. 1 on the jazz charts all over the world and have a faithful following of enthusiasts.

 

Paris on the Prairies

July 9

The Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra and the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra are joining forces for a musical journey to Paris. This performance will feature multiple Juno award winning composer and pianist David Braid and the beautiful vocal stylings of Saskatoon’s own Alexis Normand.