(Halifax, NS) When it comes to live outdoor music, Halifax has it all this season with world-class music, blue skies, cool harbour breezes, starry nights, and stunning locations. So bring a chair, enjoy a glass of wine or locally brewed craft beers, featuring HJF’s own “summer blonde’ ale – your family and friends, and even the family dog is welcome at many of our outdoor venues. The timeless beauty of Halifax, the old and the new, take on new meaning when accompanied by jazz and jazz inspired music in all its richness and inspiration at the 32nd edition of the TD Halifax Jazz Festival, July 10-15.
The 2018 TD Halifax Jazz Festival kicks off with a FREE OPENING EVENING SHOW Tuesday, July 10 on the Waterfront Stage featuring The Halifax All-Star Jazz Revue, supported by JUNO winner Molly Johnson. Members of The Halifax All-Star Jazz Revue are comprised of musicians that are the backbone of the larger Nova Scotian musical community and are integral to the jazz community. The band holds their own in comparison to international performers, and in fact, member Dave Burton (drums) was Rita Macneil’s drummer and musical director for many years, Jamie Gatti (bass) still tours and performs with The Barra MacNeils, Chris Mitchell (sax) has performed with David Foster, Natalie Cole, Lionel Richie, Ray Charles, Rosemary Clooney, Phil Woods, and Kenny Wheeler; Geordie Haley (guitar) is an educator at NSCC Waterfront Campus Music Arts Department and has been presenting songs, rhythm based compositions and improvised music for over 25 years; and Silvio Pupo has performed with Jane Bunnett and Michael Kaeshammer among others!
Led by Burton, the evening will bring together a mix of jazz and jazz influenced musicincluding New Orleans, Cuban, hip hop, R&B, and funk set to the backdrop of a full horn section, complete with back-up singers. An A-list of special guests including Mike Cowieand the Booty Boppin’ Brass Band, Jeff Godspeed – and many more – are sure to make this a collaborative and creative live music concert unlike any other.
Opening the night is Toronto’s Molly Johnson, a JUNO Award-winning pop and jazz singer-songwriter. Molly’s voice evokes the aura of dark, smoky night clubs of a bygone era and will be performing songs from her highly anticipated new album, Meaning to Tell Yawhich is out now, listen HERE.
In addition to the opening night FREE show, the TD Halifax Jazz Festival is pleased to offer FREE daytime programming in and around the city. Programming for these free shows is aimed at any age, so don’t miss these events, which promise to bring music to the streets, parks and hearts of the city of Halifax and surrounding areas.
FREE DAYTIME SHOWS @ WATERFRONT STAGE:
Join TD Halifax Jazz Festival for free music every afternoon from July 11-15 at the Waterfront Stage from noon until 5pm. The performance schedule begins with regional acts, followed by Atlantic Jazz Masters Series at 1:15pm, Stingray Music Rising Stars showcases at 2:30pm and local acts at 4pm.
The Waterfront daytime Stage offers general seating, and patrons are welcome to bring their own chairs and dogs for daytime stages ONLY at the Waterfront Stage. We offer bleachers, tables and chairs with umbrellas and plenty of room for dancing. Food is provided by local vendors; Goodmore Kombucha, serving small batch Kombucha made with love in Nova Scotia. Organic teas and natural botanicals; Cheelin Restaurant, serving authentic Szechuan and Beijing cuisine made with fresh local Halifax ingredients; Bramoso Pizzeria, serving cooked pizza slices, including “works” with meat, gourmet “veggie” combos, “BBQ chicken,” “pep/cheese” for younger crowd and gluten free for food sensitivities; and Mountain Fries and Poutinerie Ltd. serving fries, poutines, burgers, hot dogs, and dessert items like deep fried oreos, Reese’s, funnel cake, etc. Beveragesprovided by No boats on Sunday cider, Moosehead Radlers, Gosilngs, Two Oceans, and Garrison.
TD Halifax Jazz Festival encourages patrons to bring your own water bottles, chairs, umbrellas, along with the family dog, as dogs are allowed on leashes for daytime programming at the Waterfront Stage, and enjoy the day on the Waterfront. HJF offers our popular KID ZONE again this year. Open from noon to 5pm daily, from Wed-Sunday, the Kid Zone offers a space for kids to get creative and play. This year we will have volunteers on hand to assist with making crafts such as shakers, or for children to create crafts of their own imagination with craft supplies we have on hand, such as sidewalk chalk drawings (which are always a treat for all HJF patrons), face painting, and much more.
The festival’s Waterfront Stage site is entirely wheelchair accessible including all entrances, washrooms, bars, and seating areas. For evening shows, there are a limited number of spaces designed to meet the needs of patrons in wheelchairs. When you purchase your tickets, please email info@halifaxjazzfestival.ca to reserve one of the spaces. During the free daytime concerts, there is no reserved wheelchair seating. All daytime concert seating is on first-come, first-serve basis.
Regional acts begin at noon on the Waterfront Stage, beginning with Reggae artist Jah’Mila Wednesday, July 11. R&B/Modern Soul performer Keonte Beals on Thursday, July 12. Open Borders, World music, Friday, July 13. Swing/Jazz returning act Chebucto Big Band on Saturday, July 14 and on Sunday, July 15 the Big Valley Swing Orchestrareturns to close out the festival.
Atlantic Jazz Masters Series runs daily beginning at 1:15pm. Jazz/Blues artist Doris Mason performs Wednesday, July 11; Thursday, July 12 Nathalie Renault Trio(Jazz/French); on Friday, July 13 the St. FX Faculty Quintet (Jazz) performs; on Saturday, July 14 the Daniel Macneil Quartet (Flamenco) performs and the festival welcomes returning performers Back Alley Big Band ft. Riot Squad (Jazz/Fusion) Sunday, July 15.
The TD Halifax Jazz Festival is pleased to present the Stingray Music Rising Starsprogram every day on the Waterfront Stage. Through a two tiered process of peer assessment and online voting, one individual will receive a $3,000 prize to jump-start their career. Online voting takes place at music.stingray.com or vote on site at the Stingray Music booth at the Waterfront Stage. Voting takes place until 6pm Sun, July 15 and the winner will be announced from the Waterfront Stage later that evening.
2018 Stingray Music Rising Star showcases begin at 2:30pm daily, beginning Wednesday, July 11 with the Emie R Roussel Trio (Modern Jazz); Thursday, July 12 hear the Willem Paynter & The Hardbop Collective (Jazz); Friday, July 13 enjoy the The Blue Lane (Rockabilly /Jazz / Blues); Saturday, July 14 don’t miss the Chelsea McBride Socialist Night School (Big Band); and Sunday, July 15 Benjamin Deschamps Quintetperform (Modern Jazz).
Waterfront Stage 4pm local performers are Halifax-based Jessie Brown(Alternative/Rock), Wednesday, July 11. Andru Branch & Halfway Tree (Reggae) Thursday, July 12. MAJE (Hip Hop) Friday, July 13. Saturday, July 14 Brendan Melchin & The Forward Bound (Modern Jazz) and the closing act is returning performers, The Tuesday Night Band (Jazz/Swing) on Sunday, July 15.
Waterfront Stage details:
-Waterfront Stage is located at Lower Water Street & Salter Street, Halifax, NS.
-Afternoon performances run daily noon-5pm, beginning Wednesday, July 11 thru Sunday, July 15. Personal chairs and dogs are only allowed at the Waterfront Stage for DAYTIME events.
-Evening performances start at 8:30pm, gates open at 7:30pm, beginning Tuesday, July 10 with FREE opening show, ticketed shows are Wednesday July 11 thru Sunday, July 15.
-Daytime & evening shows at the Waterfront Stage are 19+. Minors are required to be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian (ID Required). Waiver forms are available online or at the box office on site. For evening shows, TD Halifax Jazz Festival offers free admission for children under 10 at the Waterfront Stage.
-To purchase tickets to all shows visit halifaxjazzfestival.ca.
-General Admission / No Refunds or Exchanges / Rain or Shine.
FREE COMMUNITY STAGES:
Hourly beginning at 1pm on Saturday, July 14, in Hydrostone Park, bring your family and friends to the park and hear music for all to enjoy. Performers are Kitty & The Katz(Swing) at 1pm, followed by Mike Cowie & The 902 (Jazz/Funk) at 2pm, Andre Fenton(Spoken Word) at 3pm, followed by Ced, Marty & Dave (Blues) from 4-5pm. Sunday afternoon Elise Besler (pop) kicks off at 1pm, followed by Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers (Rock) at 2pm, Sam Wilson Quartet (Jazz) at 3pm followed by Easley/Arsenault/Stevenson (Blues/Jazz) from 4-5pm. Free, All Ages.
In Dartmouth Saturday, July 14 come to the Dartmouth Park World Peace Pavilion for more free music for all. Kicking at 10am is the HMC Youth Combo (Jazz), followed byGlobal Centric Brass Band (Jazz, Brass) at 11am; at noon Jody Upshaw (Pop/R&B) takes the stage followed by Son Latino (Salsa/Latin) running until 2pm. Free, All Ages.
Community Stages details:
-Hydrostone Park (5547 Young St, Halifax) Free, All Ages, Saturday & Sunday, 1 – 5pm
-Dartmouth Park (Dartmouth World Peace Pavilion, 88 Alderney Dr.) Free, All Ages, Saturday 10am – 2pm.
FREE TD JAZZ LABS:
Take part in TD Jazz Lab Splash! Bang! Boom! music workshops for kids on the Tall Ship Silva as the workshop is conducted while the ship sails! One sail per day, instructors are TD Jazz Lab alums Inti Gonzalez; Thursday, July 12; Friday, July 13, Bianca Palmer; and Saturday, July 14 Ross Burns. There is no pre-registration; space is limited to first come first served, we encourage those wishing to attend to come early. Free, all ages welcome.
TD Jazz Labs continue with free workshops, beginning Tuesday, July 10 at 2pm at Halifax Central Library with Pantayo, an all-women lo-fi R&B group. And at 1pm, Thursday, July 12, French, Folk, Jazz Big Band Tintamare hosts a workshop (presented by Alliance Française). All About Drums, an informative drum workshop hosted by Henry Bishop, starts at 11am on Friday, July 13 at Halifax North Memorial Library. Saturday, July 14 hear Holly Arsenault In Conversation with Joel Miller at 1pm at Alderney Gate Public Library. Free, all ages welcome.
TD Jazz Labs Details:
-Splash! Bang! Boom! on Tall Ship Silva July 12-14 at 10-10:45am Free, All Ages.
-Alderney Gate Public Library, 60 Alderney Dr. Free, All Ages.
-Halifax Central Public Library, 5440 Spring Garden Rd. Free, All Ages.
FREE INDOOR STAGES:
Indoor free shows begin Tuesday, July 10th with the Upstream Presents: Open Company at ART BAR from 11pm – 1am for four nights, running Wednesday, July 11 thru Saturday July 14 and the CMW Closing Concert takes place Sunday, July 15 at the Halifax Central Library.
Open Company presented by Upstream at ART BAR is hosted by Geordie Haley and Lukas Pearse. In this Free Improvisation curated series, local luminaries and visiting virtuoso’s meet onstage for spontaneous music. Planning for the unknown, with a script for surprise, Upstream’s Open Company Sessions are a sure bet for the unexpected. Running from 11pm – 1am for four consecutive nights, Wednesday, July 11 thru Saturday July 14 at ART BAR, Halifax. Free admission.
The CMW Closing Concert takes place Sunday, July 15, at the Halifax Central Library. This final concert premieres new music written by students as well as collaborations between faculty and students. This concert offers a showcase for CMW students to share what they have been creating in a community environment. Listen to the results of hard work, collaboration and risk-taking at 2pm. Free, all ages welcome.
Indoor Stages Details:
– Open Company Presented by Upstream at ART BAR (1873 Granville St., Halifax). Free, 19+
– CMW Closing Concert at Halifax Central Library (5540 Spring Garden Rd., Halifax). Free, all ages welcome.
FREE MUSIC AT OUR PARTNERED STAGES:
Jazz is everywhere! Local establishments get in the spirit of the TD Halifax Jazz Festival by presenting free live music through our Partnered Stages program, happening this year in Halifax at Bâton Rouge, Le Bistro By Liz, Obladee Wine Bar and The Local.
At Bâton Rouge performances begin Thursday, July 12 and Friday, July 13 with John Chaisson at 6:30pm. Saturday, July 14 Ian Campbell is at 5:30pm, and on Sunday, July 15, Joe Murphy at 5:30pm.
Performing French jazz classics nightly from 6-9pm beginning Tuesday, July 10, at Le Bistro By Liz are Ann Denny & Sam Wilson. Friday & Saturday night hear Halifax pianist and singer Zoe Leger from 7-10pm and on Sunday night Zoe performs from 6-9pm.
HJF’s year-round partner Obladee Wine Bar, presents Halifax’s Willem Paynter takes over the stage during the TD Halifax Jazz Festival, presenting free music nightly. Willem Paynter Trio performs Wednesday, July 11 from 8-11pm; Willem Paynter and Friends perform Thursday, July 12 from 8-11pm; Willem Paynter ft. Paul Tynan (9pm-12am) Friday, July 13; and Saturday, July 14, Willem Paynter ft. Toronto’s Alison Young (9pm-12am).
Tuesday, July 10 at The Local, don’t miss Taco Tuesday Hip Hop Showcase curated by Kayla Borden starting at 9:30pm. Wednesday, July 11 Trio Pupo (9pm), Electric Relaxation (10pm), and on Sunday, July 15 a special Blues Matinee ft. Buck Tingley 4-8pm.
Partnered Stage details:
-Bâton Rouge, 1877 Hollis St. All Ages
-Le Bistro By Liz, 1333 South Park St. All Ages
-Obladee Wine Bar, 1600 Barrington St. 19+
-The Local, 2037 Gottingen St., 19+
PURCHASE TICKETS TODAY FOR #HJF2018:
All tickets for the 2018 TD Halifax Jazz festival are available NOW to purchase onlinethrough https://halifaxjazzfestival.etixnow.com or in person at Etixnow kiosks, which are located at the Halifax Forum (2901 Windsor St.) and Music Nova Scotia (open weekdays 9am-5pm 2169 Gottingen St.), they accept debit and credit cards.
During the festival, the HJF Box Office will relocate to the Waterfront Stage (corner of Lower Water Street and Salter Street), and is open 12pm-9:45pm on July 10 and 10am–9:45pm July 11-15. Walk up tickets can be purchased at the door of the concert venue, half hour before show time. Cash or credit card payment accepted.
Visit halifaxjazzfestival.ca for information and more details.
