Free Pop-Up Shows in Collaboration with Downtown Ottawa Partners
Ottawa (Tuesday, January 28, 2025) – The Ottawa Jazz Festival is thrilled to unveil the FREE Downtown Winter Jazz Series, an exciting new program of eight free jazz performances presented in partnership with our Downtown Ottawa Partners. This series celebrates the spirit of this year’s 2025 Winterlude festival by bringing the magic of jazz to unique and vibrant downtown locations.
Join us in experiencing the warmth and soul of jazz during to ease the frigid cold at the following events:
Downtown Winter Jazz Series Lineup:
Winterlude Partner Fair at William St.
Time: 10:40 AM
Date: Jan 28
Artist: The Winter Dudes
All is revealed by Winterlude officials. The Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival is proud to participate in the festivities.
Winter Jazz at the Castle – Fairmont Château Laurier
Time: 5 - 7 PM
Dates:
Feb 7 - Peter Hum
Feb 13 - Steve Boudreau
Feb 14 - Clayton Connell
Experience some of the city’s most renowned pianists perform in this intimate solo setting on a full size grand piano at the esteemed Fairmont Château Laurier.
Queen Street Fare
Time: 7 PM
Date: Feb 13
Artist: Nick Adema - 4tet: Music for a Silent Hockey Game
Back in Ottawa after studying in Amsterdam, Nick Adema puts together a cast of musicians to accompany a hockey game projected behind the band at Queen Street Fare, embodying perhaps the most Canadian musical act undertaken this winter by a jazz band… a collaboration between jazz and Canada’s national sport.
Market Outdoor Performance
Time: 1 - 4 PM
Date: Feb 15
Location: corner of George & William Streets
Artist: F8-Bit
F8-BIT (pronounced fate-bit) are a cover band dedicated to classic console game themes. The quartet consists of some of Ottawa’s highest-scoring jazz players, who owe their quick fingers and epic grip strength to blistering rounds of Super Mario Kart as much as they do to music school. Expect to hear modern takes on the themes from Punchout, Super Mario World, Excite Bike, Mega Man, the Legend of Zelda, Sonic the Hedgehog and many more of your favourite classic console games.
Market Outdoor Performance
Time: 1 - 4 PM
Date: Feb 15
Location: corner of York & William Streets
Artist: The Polar Ice Cappers with Mike Essoudry, Keith Walton and Petr Gendel
Embracing the great white north, three of Ottawa’s most prolific cast of incredible musicians unite to bring on the heat in the Byward Market with a mini brass band. Mike Essoudry, Keith Walton and Peter Gendel.
Market Indoor Band
Time: 3 - 4PM
Date: Feb 3
Location: ByWard Market Square
Artist: Abiding Sound featuring Laura Seaborn
Abiding Sound is a talented trio of musicians featuring sisters Laura and Jennie Seaborn and guitarist Josiah Milnes. Join us for an interactive family friendly show that explores many styles of music, and who knows, you might just get to be part of the band during the show.
Jazz Nights at the Lord Elgin Hotel
Time: 7 - 10PM
Date & Artists:
Feb 1 - Roddy Ellias and John Geggie
Feb 8 - Justin Duhaime & Ed Lister
Feb 14 (Valentine's Day) - John Geggie and Friends
In anticipation of the Ottawa Jazz Festival this summer, come check out the venue that hosts the Festival’s famous and historic Late Night Jam Sessions. John Geggie and friends, as well as Justin Duhaime joins as the host of the jam sessions.
Jazz Night at St. Laurent Centre
Time: 4 - 7PM
Date: Feb 13
Artists: A Very Vintage Valentine's w/ Mackenzie & Friends
One part of the incredible “Mack & Ben”, Mackenzie is one of Ottawa’s brightest up and coming singers, well known to fans of The Commotions, as well as many other stellar groups. Joined by the soulful Clayton Connell on piano and the one and only trumpet powerhouse Ed Lister, this trio is not to be missed.
This Downtown Winter Jazz Series is part of the Ottawa Jazz Festival’s larger Winter Series offerings. The other two key components include:
Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival at Arts Court (Jan 30 – Feb 1): Featuring an enchanting lineup of performances to delight concert-goers.
Jazz in the Valley: A special program of four shows bringing jazz to nearby communities, including Jim Bryson (Feb 7 in Merrickville), Lynn Miles & Roddy Ellias (Feb 8 in Smiths Falls), Rebecca Noelle’s “From Almonte with Love” (Feb 14 Valentine’s Day), and Miguel de Armas Quartet with Samantha Christ François (Feb 15 in Perth). Celebrate Winter in style with the unforgettable sounds of jazz. Whether you’re warming up with a performance at a historic hotel, enjoying an outdoor show in the heart of the market, or discovering new artists at Queen Street Fare, these three series promises to be a highlight of your winter season.
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