It’s no secret that I look forward to this time of year. The days are getting longer, that giant pile of snow is starting to melt and, best of all, my summer entertainment calendar begins to fall into place.

The SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival has just announced its 2024 ticketed lineup July 4 – 13 for The Bassment and Victoria Park. With so many festivals falling on hard times, the cancellation of the Regina Folk Festival and Just For Laughs this week, it seems even more important to celebrate the events that are pushing forward. If you value live performance, the best way to make sure these events return year after year is to grab your tickets.

The festival is once again using a day pass system. Your ticket will not only 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 and a family fun zone with games and activities to keep everyone entertained between sets.

“Our new site has really upped our game for what we can offer,” says the festival’s executive director Shannon Josdal. “It’s about how much more we can be, how much more we can offer in a memorable festival experience.”

Here’s how ticketing will work…

July 5  – 9 Tickets for Strictly Jazz Series at The Bassment $45

July 10 – 13 Day Pass for Victoria Park Mainstage $70 – $85

Kids 0 – 7 FREE

*Tickets go on sale Monday March 11th 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 in Victoria Park…

Shakey Graves

July 10

Kicking off the list of headliners is Shakey Graves. This is a performer who straddles the line between country and rock and roll. He got his start in showbiz as an actor appearing in shows like Friday Night Lights and Spy Kids before transitioning to music as a one-man band. Graves knows how to work a crowd and this show will definitely be a party. Also on the program that day, Saskatoon’s own Alexis Normand, Blue Moon Marquee and Frazey Ford.

 

Johnny Reid

July 11

Canadian country music gentleman Johnny Reid is always a fan favourite here in Saskatoon. Reid is a multiple Juno and Canadian Country Music Award winner and has sold out audiences around the world. That day’s program will also include Saskatchewan’s Belle Plaine and Jeffery Straker as well as a performance by Alex Cuba.

 

Arturo Sandoval

July 12

This Cuban-American is one of the greatest trumpet players out there, a true jazz legend. He’s won Grammy’s, Billboard Music Awards and an Emmy. Sandoval follows in the footsteps of his heroes like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie and it will be a show you’ll tell the kids about. Also on stage that day the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra, Audrey Ochoa, and Laura Anglade.

 

DOUBLE BILL

Melissa Ethridge

July 13

After more than 30 years on the American music scene, Melissa Ethridge is still going strong. Hits like I’m the Only One and Come to My Window are part of the rock song book and she’s won Grammys, an Oscar and starred in a one-woman show on Broadway. Ethridge will close out the festival sharing the stage with another celebrated singer/songwriter Jewel.

 

Jewel

July 13

The 90s kid in me just can’t contain my excitement for this one.  Jewel entranced her audience with iconic songs like Hands, Foolish Games, and You Were Meant For Me. The musician, actress and bestselling author is no stranger to the Grammys taking 21 home in her career so far. She just released her 13th studio album Freewheelin’ Woman. The day’s program will also include Saskatchewan rocker Anna Haverstock and folk troubadour Martin Kerr.

 

STRICTLY JAZZ SERIES…

 

For those of you who miss The Bassment, get ready because there’s lineup just for you July 5 – 9. Tickets are $45 each and you’ll see festival favorites Five Alarm Funk, jazz pianist Benny Green, Juno-award winning world-jazz group Avataar, and Afro-jazz singer Lorraine Klaasen.

There’s more to come, the full schedule of acts you can see for free in Victoria Park as well other corners of the city as part of the Neighbourhood Pop Up Series will be released April 19th. Stay tuned….