The annual SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, which kicks off today, has artists like Wyclef Jean and The Roots amongst the line-up of performers. This will be the largest Jazz Fest to date for the province.
Other musicians taking to one of the many stages include The New Pornographers, Lights, Matt Anderson, John Pizzarelli, Molly Johnson, Colin James, Erykah Badu, and Michael Franti.
“This will be the most shows we’ve ever presented in one year at 170, and we’re using 24 venues, more than any other year in the past,” said artistic director Kevin Tobin to CBC News. “We are excited to offer a new way for our audience to experience and discover the diverse and eclectic line-up,” added marketing director Jacqueline Conway.
Tobin later told The StarPhoenix, “Close to 50, 55 per cent of our shows are straight jazz shows. I think that surprises people when they see some of the large names who are coming to the festival, but when you account for all the free stages, the shows at the Bassment, Broadway Theatre, the restaurant series, jazz is the predominant music that we focus on.”
The SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival runs from June 25th till July 5th.
Photo: JLN Photography/WENN.com
