Start making plans for the Ottawa Jazz Festival

Ottawa Travel Guide

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Wednesday, 21 March 2012 16:37

Summer is slowly creeping around the corner, so travellers who like to make big plans for their holiday trips may want to start now. For instance, an excursion to Canada's capital city at the end of June would not be complete without seeing some of the amazing shows happening at the TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival.

More than 30 years ago, the idea of a jazz gathering in Ottawa began at Major's Hill Park, created by Tony Pope and Bob Misener. Over time, the festival has grown into a strong presence in the Ottawa events scene, being frequented by thousands of fans and dozens of talented artists, most of which now perform at Confederation Park. Past years have seen upwards of 180,000 spectators for the 11-day festival.

This year will bring big names in the jazz scene to Ottawa for some unforgettable shows. On June 25, the Soul Rebels Group will be a strong presence on stage with their classic eight-piece band. Combining classic jazz sounds with modern hip-hop music, they aim to link together old and new with their eclectic musical prowess.

Another headliner of the Jazz Festival will be Esperanza Spalding. This talented siren recently won the Grammy for Best New Artist, bringing her even more fame and pushing this genre of music back into the spotlight. She composes much of her own music, plays bass and sings, focusing many of her lyrics on themes of African American awareness, culture and family. Spalding will be accompanied by a massive band of percussionists, trumpeters and pianists.

If travellers cannot make it to the summer festivities, the city has a vibrant jazz scene that locals and tourists alike can enjoy. Enthusiasts who attend the event in June also come back annually to frequent the clubs and concert venues.
     
"I was not aware that jazz was a summer thing," Montreal saxophonist Remi Bolduc told the Ottawa Citizen. "We do play jazz all year long."

Guests in Ottawa can get more information about the jazz scene by checking out the offerings from the National Arts Centre, the Avant-Garde Bar and Café Paradiso, to name a few. A jazz-themed getaway while delighting in travel through Canada can be a great way to experience local culture and have fun.