25th Annual Jazz Fest Kicks Off with Free Opening Weekend

The TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival is turning 25. One of the summer's best sources for live local music, the venerable downtown fest kicks things off  with a free opening weekend at The Cube in the heart of the Exchange District, June 12 - 15.

This year's fest boasts over 50 Manitoba acts in the clubs and theatres and on the outdoor stage. The Cube will feature a diverse line-up, including jazz and soul on Thursday, Latin Jazz on Friday, the wildly popular indie night on Saturday, and more.

Thursday, June 12, 7pm-12am
Amber Epp 
Dirty Catfish Brass Band
Fauxpasfunk
Neil Watson

Friday, June 13, 6pm-1am
Marco Castillo & Brazilian Beats
Combo Latino
Meta-clave
Papa Mambo
Son Latino Band

Saturday, June 14, 4pm-1am
Federal Lights
French Press
Hana Lu Lu
The Lytics
Vikings
Yes We Mystic

Sunday, June 15, 3pm-12am
collage-à-trois
Aaron Shorr Organ Trio 

Winnipeg’s largest downtown music festival will feature nearly 100 performers taking over various city stages, June 12 - 22. Drawing thousands of concert goers, the live music spans just about every genre, from jazz standards to R&B, hardbop to hip hop, roots and blues to indie rock and electronic pop, latin jazz, and just about everything in between.

The Theatre Series welcomes a diverse group of international headliners and marquee names, including R&B superstar John Legend, tinnovative indie queen St. Vincent, Cuban-born trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, blues legend James Cotton, rapper Shad, New Orleans pianist Ellis Marsalis, and the return of expat Curtis Nowosad.

Jazz Fest's groundbreaking Club Series features New York rapper and producer Le1f, the 60s pop and soul of Lady, folk project Timber Timbre, UK-born electronic act Quantic, hip hop act Killer Mike, and more.

For those looking to connect with festival artists to boost their music skills, Jazz Fest also offers free workshops. Taking place at the Rachel Browne Theatre, the TD Jazz Labs will feature evening sessions and talks by the likes of Jane Bunnett, Chip Crawford, Watermelon Slim, Rick Estrin, and James Carter.

Find the complete listings on Manitoba Live, our new free concert-finding app for iOS, and our Live Music Calendar!