SASKATOON — The Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, sponsored by SaskTel, has returned for 10 days. For art enthusiasts, it is music to their ears.
Annually, almost 75,000 folks pass through the festival to partake in a musical experience that expands beyond jazz, including blues, pop, funk and other world music.
The first event took place in 1997, and as of today, is the second largest festival of its nature in Western Canada.
With the mandate of the festival to provide education and opportunity for people across the city to interact with jazz music, the schedule of the festival allows for just that.
Shannon Josdal, who is the executive director of the event, states that all of the core jazz programming is intentionally free, which means it is most accessible to the public.
One of those free shows was Charly Hustle, who was the 2015 Red Bull Thre3style Canadian champion. HIs DJ acts have seen him go across the world to Tokyo to compete in the world championships.
Charly, whose given name is Sean, has been playing at the festival for over 15 years. He believes this is the best time of year for music in Saskatoon.
“You can sense music everywhere … feel it in the air” It’s important beyond the music community. It’s for the community.”
Hustle describes performing as a sort of unravelling puzzle, where one must try to bring together lovers of various music genres into one shared experience.
Look no further than two of his uber drivers this past weekend visiting Victoria Park to take in his set after driving him around without any knowledge of the activities taking place.
While the music is the main attraction, the park has a plethora of options if music is not your jam.
Local food and artisans, as well as family fun activities, ensure that no matter your interest, being down by the river is a must over the next 10 days.
9 Mile Legacy Brewing is sponsoring a new artisan market that will offer patrons a chance to browse and buy handmade goods, clothing, food, and more.
For the kids, a family fun area will feature yard games (such as giant Jenga and ladder golf), a petting zoo, and books to read. Members of the Saskatchewan Rattlers basketball team will also be on-site on select days for pop-up basketball games and a meet and greet.
Music is not the only art to note during the festival. The 6th annual art show in Victoria Park will feature the work of approximately 20 local artistics, while offering free art classes to youth throughout the week.
Whether you want to escape the heat temporarily or just refresh, the Saskatoon CO-Op Beer gardens will feature local products. The 2023 featured festival beer is a Yuzu Saison by 9 Mile Legacy Brewing, which features a citrusy taste coupled with a hint of spice.
Multiple food vendors will be on site to satisfy any of those hunger cravings.
The Canada Day celebrations saw the Sask Pork Pancake Brunch take place at 11:00 a.m., coupled with yoga in the park before music took the stage.
The festival is considered non-profit, and has two outreach initiatives it is promoting this year. The first is the Jazz in Schools Program, which aims to cultivate interest, education, and participation in jazz music across the province. The second is the Carehome Outreach Program.
Members of Minivandal are all local Saskatoon products who were exposed to jazz intensive and programming through the city at some point in their childhoods.
Their music, which combines jazz with elements of ska, reflect their shared idea that all types of music need to be shared.
Emmett Fortosky, one of the band members, now teaches jazz to the community. He says the ability for all students and faculty to learn from one another is critical to fostering individual growth and that of the community.
This in turn, helps plant the seed for the next generation of blues and jazz artists.
The same feeling sits with Ben Fortosky, saying, “[I’m] grateful to be given the opportunity to perform in front of my son who is two and do it in a family friendly setting.”
Free programming takes place at Victoria Park from July 1-5, while ticketed shows begin July 6 and finish on July 9.
