The TD Markham Jazz Festival is a must-see stop on the Ontario circuit of live music festivals each summer. After two quiet seasons due to the pandemic, they are going live again.
In 2022, the TD Markham Jazz Festival celebrates its 25th year of presenting award-winning jazz and jazz-related music with a return to in-person performances.To mark the 25th anniversary and return to live music, the City of Markham has proclaimed Aug. 13 to 21 as "Celebrate Jazz Week.
The main event takes place Aug. 19 to 21 in Unionville, with other concerts happening around Markham leading up to festival weekend.
Founded in 1997, the TDMJF has grown into a three-day, mainly free, annual music showcase held the third weekend of every August. From a small festival with limited reach 12 years ago, the scope has expanded to feature more than 30 award-winning jazz, blues, soul and related acts, presented free on three stages and in sidewalk spots along Main Street Unionville, as well as in area clubs and restaurants during August.
The only ticketed event is a special opening night concert at the Markham Museum, prior to the main festival. The explosive, high energy show will feature exhilarating musicianship by Juno-winners Manteca — a nine-piece band which will perform with vocalist Lyne Tremblay. Manteca is going to use the “bones” of world, jazz, funk and orchestral music — also called “jamband rock.”
"This is a pivotal year for us to restore our place on the summer festival calendar in the minds of people from across southern Ontario,” notes festival chair Linda Briggs. “We know there is a tremendous desire to experience live music again, and nothing rivals strolling up and down Main Street Unionville, in and out of great restaurants and unique shops, on your way to another superb performance."
During the week of Aug. 13 to 20, there’ll be Jazz Hot Spots all over Markham and more than 30 free outdoor concerts along Main St. Unionville from Aug. 19 to 21. Headliners include Manteca, Molly Johnson, Shakura S’Aida, Amanda Tosoff with Emily-Claire Barlow and many favourite artist “alumni” from the past 24 years.
Also worth looking forward to is 2022 Juno winner Caity Gyorgy and other stars. In addition, Artistic directors Josh Grossman (and his Toronto Jazz Orchestra) and Michael Occhipinti (ES: MO) is returning with special performances.
For more details, please visit markhamjazzfestival.com.
Scarlett Liu is a federally funded Local Journalism Initiative reporter at Economist & Sun
