All That Jazz

One of Manitoba's favourite summertime events is celebrating its 20th birthday this year. The venerable Jazz Winnipeg Festival, which kicks off on June 26 and runs to July 5, will offer audiences some sweet sonic presents in the form of Al Green, Branford Marsalis Quartet, Buddy Guy, and many more. Hitting stages at various venues throughout Winnipeg, the festival will also host no fewer than 49 homegrown acts, running the gamut from traditional jazz to alt.pop to electronica.

This year's local contingent includes: Athavale, Big Jay Harrison, Mira Black, Jodie Borle, Marco Castillo, Amber Epp, Janice Finlay, Flo, Michelle Gregoire, Knut Haugsoen, LeBeato, Romi Mayes, Moses Mayes, Price/Nowosad Quintet, Oldfolks Home, Rosemarie Todaschuk, and Lindsey White Band.

Two venues which are new for the festival this year - Le Garage in St. Boniface and the Rachel Browne Theatre in the Exchange District - will each host two acts a night, including many hometown artists, and are sure to be the place to hang all week. Meanwhile, fans of the more alternative side of jazz will be able to catch local openers for most events in the extremely popular Club Series at the Pyramid, which will be a great venue for Boats, The Liptonians, Mama Cutsworth, and The Angry Dragons.

Check out the complete schedule on Jazz Fest's website or in the Live Music Calendar.