FESTIVAL REFRESH

This year has been one of change for the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, and it all started in the spring of 2025 when the festival launched an online public survey asking what the public wanted to see in the annual event.

“It started from the departure of SaskTel as title sponsor and us taking that opportunity to get a good idea of who we are as an organization and what the public wanted as we moved forward,” says Executive Director Shannon Josdal. “People in Saskatchewan are not afraid of change, they really wanted a festival full of energy and life that takes big swings.”

Now, more than a year later, the TD Sask Jazz Fest (new title sponsor and new name) is set to begin with 7 music-filled days and concerts popping up all over the downtown.

“51% of our lineup this year are core jazz acts and the rest are related genres,” says Josdal. “This festival is really about being able to engage people to experience music in a way that suits them. 75% of the program is free of charge where everyone can find at least one concert they are guaranteed to enjoy. I hope this year’s festival is exciting for people and that they feel at home while enjoying this musical tradition.”

This year’s ticketed events run between $40 – $90 with VIP experiences also available for many mainstage shows. One glance at the full program and music fans will see many downtown bars, restaurants, and community venues will host shows and the free stage programming is scattered throughout the week so you’re sure to find a performance to suit each day.  There are too many concerts to list one by one so here are my highlights. *Click on the artist names for more information about each.

For the full program guide, follow this link.

July 5

The fun kicks off in Victoria Park with an all-day free stage full of performances by prairie artists like alt-rocker Anna Haverstock, indie-country duo The North Sound, party pleasers Oral Fuentes Reggae Band and synth-pop master Jordan Perry.

 

Straight Ahead Jazz

 

Known for blending jazz tradition with sounds of the future Isaiah Collier has been called one of the most exciting voices in contemporary jazz. He’s performed Collier Plays Coltrane, his tribute to jazz legend John Coltrane all over the world and now it’s our turn to hear it. If you’re one of those people who think there should be more jazz in this festival, you’re not going to want to miss this performance at The Bassment.

 

July 6

The mainstage opens its ticketed lineup with a feature performance by Noah Cyrus, an artist from one of music’s most high-profile families. Now, Cyrus is stepping into her own with her new album I Want My Loved Ones to Go With Me. Cyrus’ music is a blend of Indie-Folk and Country. Also on the mainstage that evening is Regina electro-pop artist Ka-Lok and Canadian soul, R&B group SHEBAD.

 

Looking To Experiment

She may be the daughter of Grammy award winning Don’t Worry Be Happy artist Bobby McFerrin but Madison McFarrin has a sound all her own. Questlove called her sound soul-cappella blending jazz, R&B, and self harmonies. McFerrin’s got a chill, soulful sound that will have you groovin’ right along. You can see her live at The Bassment.

 

Rat Pack Call Back

Bublé, Dusk, and now Lewis. 18-year-old Micheal Lewis hails from the highlands of Scotland but when he sings, he brings you back to Sinatra and the smoke-filled showrooms of Vegas. Lewis will partner with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra for this timeless performance filled with old favourites at The Broadway Theatre.

 

July 7

Word from the TD Sask Jazz Fest is that this show is heading towards a sellout with all the 90s kids who are now bringing their families to see a band they grew up on. Modest Mouse became a household name with hits like Float On and Ocean Breathes Salty. The group continues to release music that pop punk audiences adore. Also on the mainstage is Saskatoon alt-rockers The Naysayers and roots, funk group SNACKTIME.

 

Free Fun

They’ve opened for huge acts like Steven Page, Wide Mouth Mason, and Crash Test Dummies. You’ve probably rocked out with The Great Fuss at Ness Creek and Doylefest and now you can see the band on stage for free at Hunger Cure Resto Bar. Grab a bite and rock out with these locals.

 

July 8

Local blues takes centerstage with Whitey Somers, Saskatoon’s representative at the 2026 International Blues Challenge. All the talent on the mainstage in Victoria Park is free with performances by more familiar faces, the new jazz organ quartet The Railway Cats  featuring Sheldon Corbett, Ian Sinclair, Ian Summach, and Kyle Krysa and one of my faves jazz, funk, and R&B masters Funkjoint.

 

Smooth Summer Nights

Is there anything cooler than two powerhouse musicians coming together on a new project. Malika Tirolien spent a decade as part of the Grammy-nominated Bokanté and now they’ve teamed up with celebrated Montreal keyboardist & composer Caulder Nash for GeminiCrab. This is one duo that will have you swaying the night away.

 

July 9

Pop sensibilities take the stage this evening on the mainstage for another fully free lineup featuring acts like the raw psych-pop of Dump Babes. A sort of Saskatoon super group has formed as Sam Corbett (Sheepdogs, NUTANA), Tyson McShane (Slow Down Molasses, Portals), Luke Ryalls (Fjords), and Burk Barlow (Deep Dark Woods) have joined forces with former politician Ryan Meili to save the world… well maybe just entertain the crowd. Blue Umbrella is a passion project for these musicians and you can get a sneak peek at their upcoming album Recklessly Yours.  Saskatoon Youth Jazz Orchestra will kick the evening off in style and give you a glimpse at the next generation of Jazz Fest musicians.

 

Plaza Performance

Not all the concerts happen on an official stage. Throughout the week there will be pop up performances in KW Nasser Plaza at River Landing to take in. These are walk up type shows where you can see artists like Afrobeats rockstar Rooky Kamiz. At lunchtime in the same spot you can check out the jazz fusion of the Gerard Weber Group.

 

July 10

The Canadian legend is back. Bruce Cockburn is an award-winning musician and poet known for his hits like Lovers in a Dangerous Time and Wondering Where the Lions Are. He’s a musician that’s inspired so many and you can see him live on the mainstage in Victoria Park. Celtic folk artist Eileen Laverty and indie-pop folk musician Royal Wood, both Saskatoon artists (Yup Royal Wood lives here now) will be on the big stage.

Bar Stars

When it comes to the Canadian music scene you’d be hard-pressed to find a band more dedicated to life on the road than Yukon Blonde. They are a favourite here. The band is making its return to Amigos Cantina with fresh tunes from its latest album Friendship & Rock n’ Roll.

 

July 11

It’s been a minute since we’ve enjoyed the eclectic sound of Saskatoon’s Parab Poet and the Hip Hop Hippies. The group had pressed pause for nearly a decade and now they’re back to spread positivity on the final day of the festival. Also on the mainstage in Victoria Park you can catch the hip hop jazz fusion of Zhe the Free with Turtlecat and the Jazz Pirates, enjoy to the mind-bending electronica sound of The Pxrtals, and get up an jump to the accordion rock of The Whiskey Jerks.

 

Raven On

It’s the power of music to rise above lived experiences and create beautiful art. Raven Reid is a self-taught guitarist and she’s taken her displacement during the Sixties Scoop and transformed it into songs of resilience and love. You can see Reid on the lawn at the Sheraton Cavalier.