Canadian Jazz Fest brings established voices and rising talent to Calgary for six nights of homegrown jazz.
The festival honours Canada’s jazz heritage and showcases the artists defining its sound today.
DATES
Nov 3-8, 2026
LOCATIONS
Various Locations and Along the Music Mile
november 3-8
canadian
jazz fest
Presented by JazzYYC and Servus Credit Union
the artists
Festival Lineup
03
Nov '26
JazzYYC & NMC Present: Portraits Of The First Ladies Of Jazz
Presented by: Servus Credit Union
Sound: Classic Songs & Standards
Feel: Seated Listening
Focus: Easygoing
Feel: Seated Listening
Focus: Easygoing
JUNO Award nominee Dawn Pemberton celebrates the women who shaped the jazz vocal tradition, from Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday to Sarah Vaughan and more, in Portraits Of The First Ladies Of Jazz.
04
Nov '26
Presented by: Servus Credit Union
Feel: Seated Listening
Focus: Easygoing
Focus: Easygoing
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JUNO-nominated, NYC-based jazz drummer Curtis Nowosad hosts a workshop centering on what it means to be a continual work in progress, both on and off the bandstand.
04
Nov '26
Plays Metalwood // Medeski Martin & Wood
Presented by: Servus Credit Union
Sound: Avant-Garde & Experimental
Feel: Seated Listening
Focus: Exploratory
Feel: Seated Listening
Focus: Exploratory
Tickets
(registered)
Mitchell Prentice is a Canadian tenor saxophonist born and raised in Calgary. Growing up, Mitchell enjoyed listening to the classic rock sounds of Led Zeppelin, Cream, Pink Floyd and Rush before discovering jazz.
04
Nov '26
featuring Joanna Majoko
Presented by: Servus Credit Union
Sound: New & Original Jazz
Feel: Seated Listening
Focus: Adventurous
Feel: Seated Listening
Focus: Adventurous
Curtis Nowosad is a JUNO-nominated, NYC-based jazz drummer, composer, educator and recording artist. And now he is thrilled to be bringing his group to Calgary for the first time in a decade!
05
Nov '26
Presented by: Servus Credit Union
Sound: Classic Songs & Standards
Feel: Seated Listening
Focus: Easygoing
Feel: Seated Listening
Focus: Easygoing
Steve Pineo has been a mainstay in Calgary’s Blues & Roots music scene for more than 35 years. Wickedly talented in playing, singing and composing, Steve has appeared in dozens of musical permutations and combinations in his legendary career.
Laura Jackson had the good fortune to join Steve several decades ago playing jazzy pop and Steve’s fabulous originals at Mona’s Kitchen, Cannery Row, Kaos Cafe and The Wine Cellar. Though Laura ventured into performing as the lead singer for a dance/party band and then into the lead for a rootsy quartet for a few years each, she’s been a part of The Steve Pineo Annual Christmas Show for 20 years running.
Now blending their individual musical pasts and their shared history with a new focus on contemporary Roots and soulful Americana/Canadiana, their music and friendship has come full circle.
05
Nov '26
Plays George Gershwin
Presented by: Servus Credit Union
Sound: Classic Club Jazz
Feel: Dinner and show, Seated Listening
Focus: Exploratory
Feel: Dinner and show, Seated Listening
Focus: Exploratory
Tickets
(registered)
Album release concert for Anthony D’Alessandro Plays George Gershwin.
06
Nov '26
Hip To Be Square, plays Huey Lewis & The News
Presented by: Servus Credit Union
Sound: Jazz-Inspired
Feel: Dinner and show
Focus: Easygoing
Feel: Dinner and show
Focus: Easygoing
Tickets
(registered)
One of the great pop songbooks of the ‘80s gets handed off to a hard-swinging organ band as saxophonist Cory Weeds marks the release of Hip To Be Square – Plays Huey Lewis & The News.
07
Nov '26
Presented by: Servus Credit Union
Feel: Seated Listening
Focus: Easygoing
Focus: Easygoing
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Cory Weeds’ Jazz Business Workshop offers a practical, insider’s look at what it takes to build a sustainable career in jazz. Drawing on decades of experience as a musician, club owner, record producer, and industry advocate,
07
Nov '26
featuring Keith O'Rourke
Presented by: Servus Credit Union
Sound: Classic Club Jazz
Feel: Social / Mingling
Focus: Easygoing
Feel: Social / Mingling
Focus: Easygoing
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Calgary saxophonist and recording artist Keith O’Rourke leads a special Canadian Festival edition of the Kawa Saturday Session, a FREE afternoon jam open to all ages and experience levels.
07
Nov '26
Presented by: Servus Credit Union
Sound: Smooth & Lounge
Feel: Seated Listening
Focus: Exploratory
Feel: Seated Listening
Focus: Exploratory
Tendavillage floats comfortably somewhere in the realm of psychedelic electro space funk/soul/jazz. From Calgary, the band showcases a group of passionate, talented musicians ready to step outside of their creative box.
07
Nov '26
Presented by: Servus Credit Union
Sound: Atmospheric & Spiritual
Feel: Seated Listening
Focus: Adventurous
Feel: Seated Listening
Focus: Adventurous
Tickets
(registered)
Mark Lalama is a Canadian singer/songwriter, musician and producer. In recent years, his songwriting has increasingly taken centre stage, earning him recognition from audiences and some of the music industry’s most respected songwriters, musicians and producers. His songs look beneath the surface, asking questions rather than passing judgment, revealing the gifts that can be found in understanding, empathy, forgiveness and hope.
07
Nov '26
Can You Hear the Birds?
Presented by: Servus Credit Union
Sound: New & Original Jazz
Feel: Dinner and show, Seated Listening
Focus: Exploratory
Feel: Dinner and show, Seated Listening
Focus: Exploratory
Tickets
(registered)
Gentiane MG is a Montreal pianist and composer known for emotionally resonant piano trio music that bridges contemporary jazz and classical influence.
08
Nov '26
Jazz Walk
Presenting Kim Szabo’s Lush Vocal Jazz with support by the Streamline Trio
Presented by: Servus Credit Union
Sound: Classic Club Jazz
Feel: Seated Listening
Focus: Exploratory
Feel: Seated Listening
Focus: Exploratory
Lush Vocal Jazz presents 4-part vocal, jazz-inspired arrangements of classic swing and Latin standards to contemporary tunes, pulling from the books of Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices, The Hi-Lo's.
08
Nov '26
Jazz Walk
Presented by: Servus Credit Union
Sound: Atmospheric & Spiritual
Feel: Seated Listening
Focus: Exploratory
Feel: Seated Listening
Focus: Exploratory
Brett Hansen’s Confluence is a live show experience that brings together folk-inspired sensitivity, muscular rock phrases, and Latin rhythms to conjure a sound both atmospheric and powerful, while showcasing a five-person ensemble featuring some of Canada’s finest jazz musicians. Without a doubt, Brett Hansen is a guitarist “deserving of your attention” (The Intelligencer).
08
Nov '26
Presented by: Servus Credit Union
Tickets
(registered)
JUNO nominee Kent Sangster has been a prominent member of Canada’s jazz scene for over twenty-five years. He is a highly respected saxophonist, educator, bandleader, composer-arranger, and producer.
LIMITED QUANTITY
Curate your own experience
Sampler Pass
Take a friend to 2 shows or treat yourself to 4!
$125.00
- Includes 4 tickets
- Access to 11+ ticketed festival shows
- Valid at: Ironwood, The Attic and Cornerstone
*Passes are non-transferable. Entry is subject to venue capacity—arrive at least 20 minutes before showtime to guarantee seating. Late arrivals may forfeit their seat. Not valid for Studio Bell.
Festival Sponsors
