==History==
==History==
The festival originated in Saskatoon and later programmed events in other Saskatchewan communities including [[Regina]], [[Moose Jaw]], [[North Battleford]] and [[Prince Albert]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Saskatchewan Jazz Festival |url=https://www.esask.uregina.ca/entry/saskatchewan_jazz_festival.html |website=The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan |publisher=Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> By 1991, [[Du Maurier (cigarette)|du Maurier Ltd]] had given its support and name to the Saskatoon jazz festival as part of the company’s national arts sponsorship program.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=du Maurier Arts Ltd/Les Arts du Maurier Ltée |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/du-maurier-arts-ltdles-arts-du-maurier-ltee-emc |encyclopedia=The Canadian Encyclopedia |publisher=Historica Canada |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> The event’s 21st annual edition took place in 2007,<ref>{{cite web |title=The 21st Annual SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival: First Shows Go… |url=http://www.sasktel.com/about-us/news/related-news-releases/the-21st-annual-sasktel-saskatchewan-jazz-festival.pdf |website=SaskTel (archived) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120183329/http://www.sasktel.com/about-us/news/related-news-releases/the-21st-annual-sasktel-saskatchewan-jazz-festival.pdf |archive-date=20 November 2008 |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> and it was previously considered one of the largest jazz festivals in Western Canada.<ref>{{cite web |title=SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival |url=https://www.cjwwradio.com/event/47972/sasktel-saskatchewan-jazz-festival/ |website=CJWW / 98 COOL |publisher=CKBL-FM (Saskatoon) |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref>
The festival originated in Saskatoon and later programmed events in other Saskatchewan communities including [[Regina]], [[Moose Jaw]], [[North Battleford]] and [[Prince Albert]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Saskatchewan Jazz Festival |url=https://www.esask.uregina.ca/entry/saskatchewan_jazz_festival.html |website=The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan |publisher=Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> By 1991, [[Du Maurier (cigarette)|du Maurier Ltd]] had given its support and name to the Saskatoon jazz festival as part of the company’s national arts sponsorship program.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=du Maurier Arts Ltd/Les Arts du Maurier Ltée |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/du-maurier-arts-ltdles-arts-du-maurier-ltee-emc |encyclopedia=The Canadian Encyclopedia |publisher=Historica Canada |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> The event’s 21st annual edition took place in 2007,<ref>{{cite web |title=The 21st Annual SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival: First Shows Go… |url=http://www.sasktel.com/about-us/news/related-news-releases/the-21st-annual-sasktel-saskatchewan-jazz-festival.pdf |website=SaskTel (archived) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120183329/http://www.sasktel.com/about-us/news/related-news-releases/the-21st-annual-sasktel-saskatchewan-jazz-festival.pdf |archive-date=20 November 2008 |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> and it was previously considered one of the largest jazz festivals in Western Canada.<ref>{{cite web |title=SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival |url=https://www.cjwwradio.com/event/47972/sasktel-saskatchewan-jazz-festival/ |website=CJWW / 98 COOL |publisher=CKBL-FM (Saskatoon) |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref>
The 2020 festival was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan|COVID-19 pandemic]]. The event returned for 2021, although downsized with only Canadian talent due to travel restrictions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saskatchewan Jazz Festival returns in August 2021 {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7938751/saskatchewan-jazz-festival-august-2021/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sask. Jazz Festival announces lineup for scaled-down event |url=https://www.ckom.com/2021/07/14/sask-jazz-festival-announces-lineup-for-scaled-down-event/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=650 CKOM |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, the festival moved its free programming to Saskatoon’s downtown Victoria Park, including Canada Day festivities headlined by country musician [[Tenille Arts]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jazz Fest marks 35th anniversary with new and familiar events |url=https://thestarphoenix.com/entertainment/local-arts/jazz-fest-marks-35th-anniversary-with-new-and-familiar-events |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=thestarphoenix |language=en-CA}}</ref> In 2023, citing economic conditions and a pivot to provide a streamlined event with more free programming, it was announced that the events held at Bessborough would be moved to Victoria Park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival announces upcoming event with new vision and location |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9441840/saskatchewan-jazz-festival-2023/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref>
The 2020 festival was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan|COVID-19 pandemic]]. The event returned for 2021, although downsized with only Canadian talent due to travel restrictions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saskatchewan Jazz Festival returns in August 2021 {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7938751/saskatchewan-jazz-festival-august-2021/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sask. Jazz Festival announces lineup for scaled-down event |url=https://www.ckom.com/2021/07/14/sask-jazz-festival-announces-lineup-for-scaled-down-event/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=650 CKOM |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, the festival moved its free programming to Saskatoon’s downtown Victoria Park, including Canada Day festivities headlined by country musician [[Tenille Arts]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jazz Fest marks 35th anniversary with new and familiar events |url=https://thestarphoenix.com/entertainment/local-arts/jazz-fest-marks-35th-anniversary-with-new-and-familiar-events |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=thestarphoenix |language=en-CA}}</ref> In 2023, citing economic conditions and a pivot to provide a streamlined event with more free programming, it was announced that the events held at Bessborough would be moved to Victoria Park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival announces upcoming event with new vision and location |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9441840/saskatchewan-jazz-festival-2023/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref>
West Canadian jazz festival
The Saskatchewan Jazz Festival (formerly branded as the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival for sponsorship reasons) is an annual outdoor music festival held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Established in 1987, it has largely been held at the gardens of the Delta Bessborough hotel in Saskatoon, and features performers representing many genres—but particularly jazz, blues, and folk.[1]
Concerts
The event features live performances from various locations in downtown Saskatoon; two of the festival’s main locations have been the Delta Bessborough hotel (which hosts the ticketed “TD Mainstage” events), and Victoria Park along the South Saskatchewan River. Other festival venues have included the Broadway Theatre.[2]
Awards
The Special Recognition Award is awarded for making significant contributions to Jazz of Saskatchewan or Canada. Since 1989 musicians, educators, or supporters have received this award.[3]
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Paul Perry |
| 1990 | Gordie Brandt |
| 1981 | Chris Gage |
| 1992 | Bridge City Dixieland Jazz Band |
| 1993 | Herbie Spanier |
| 1984 | Jon Ballantyne |
| 1995 | Bob Moyer |
| 1996 | Solstice |
| 1997 | Jim Moffat |
| 1998 | Barney Kutz |
| 1999 | Bobby Klassen |
| 2000 | Don Watson |
| 2001 | Don Keeler |
| 2002 | Dr. Ed Lewis |
| 2003 | Ray Dahlen Sound |
| 2003 | Peter Dyksman |
| 2005 | Broadway Bill Watson |
| 2006 | Maurice Drouin |
| 2007 | Pat Steel |
| 2008 | Fred Ballantyne |
| 2009 | Ted Warren |
| 2010 | Jack Semple |
| 2011 | Dean McNeill |
| 2012 | Sheldon Corbett |
| 2013 | Don Griffith |
| 2014 | Kelly Jefferson |
| 2015 | Al Muirhead |
| 2016 | Barrie Redford |
| 2017 | Skip Kutz |
| 2018 | Ross Ulmer |
| 2019 | Suzie Vinnick |
History
The festival originated in Saskatoon and later programmed events in other Saskatchewan communities including Regina, Moose Jaw, North Battleford and Prince Albert.[4] By 1991, du Maurier Ltd had given its support and name to the Saskatoon jazz festival as part of the company’s national arts sponsorship program.[5] The event’s 21st annual edition took place in 2007,[6] and it was previously considered one of the largest jazz festivals in Western Canada.[7]
The 2020 festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event returned for 2021, although downsized with only Canadian talent due to travel restrictions.[8][9] In 2022, the festival moved its free programming to Saskatoon’s downtown Victoria Park, including Canada Day festivities headlined by country musician Tenille Arts.[10] In 2023, citing economic conditions and a pivot to provide a streamlined event with more free programming, it was announced that the events held at Bessborough would be moved to Victoria Park.[11]
For almost thirty years the festival carried a title partnership with the provincial Crown corporation SaskTel. In August 2025 SaskTel ended the arrangement, leaving the event without a title sponsor for the first time in decades. Festival leadership said the former title package had been worth about $150,000 per year and that the loss would require finding new supporters and reconsidering the event format for 2026.[12][13][14]
References
External links
52°07′34″N 106°39′29″W / 52.1260°N 106.6581°W
