“Small but mighty” is how Kent Sangster, executive and artistic director of the Edmonton International Jazz Festival, describes the community that’s been a highlight in the city’s cultural calendar since its inception in 1980.
He mentions some artists that he is particularly excited about this year: Connor Miskiman, Ciara Hager, Simon Williams and Cristian de la Luna. And he’s excited to see the Edmonton Jazz Orchestra and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra perform jointly for the first time at the prestigious Winspear Centre, showcasing an impressive all-Edmontonian lineup.
As a jazz-novice, one thing I learned after my conversation with Sangster was that jazz is inherently community based. “Perhaps the neatest thing about our festival is that it wraps up every night at the hotel with a jam session that’s also hosted by an Edmonton artist,” explains Sangster. These sessions are a cauldron of creativity, where young musicians can rub shoulders with seasoned performers, learn from them, and find their own voices in the process, “And true jazz, really, it’s about the jam session,” he says.
Edmonton’s Audrey Ochoa started out at the festival, and the now internationally touring trombonist has since spread her wings around the world. She is not performing at this year’s festival, but her ability and drive, Sangster says, is what the festival is all about, emphasizing that musicians like Ochoa are “integral, important part[s] of our festival.”
Jazz is a re-emerging genre that Sangster and his team are committed to making accessible for the general public. Tickets for Edmonton-based acts this year are only $15, in order to make it easier for more people to attend. However, the festival faces many challenges. The explosion of festivals, especially music festivals in Edmonton, has led to a saturated market which makes it difficult for individuals to stand out. Also, decreasing funds from both corporate sponsors and the government pose financial challenges.
“My concern is that we might be in a situation where we may not be able to present so many Edmonton artists, because that does come at a cost, because all of these shows are heavily subsidized,” said Sangster, adding that, while this year’s fest has been cut down to six days, the hope is to get it back up to a less-congested 10 days, as it’s been in the past.
This year, the venues, such as Starlite Room, Chateau Lacombe and the McDougall Church provide hubs where attendees can enjoy a diverse array of performances.
Despite these hurdles, the Edmonton Jazz Festival is here to stay because of the dedication of its organizers, the talent of its performers, and the enthusiasm of its audiences. As the notes resonate through the city from June 25 to 30, one thing is clear: The future of jazz in Edmonton is bright, dynamic, and deeply rooted in community.
