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The history of Jazz is inseparable from Black history, music and culture. Legendary Black musicians honed their craft in a society struggling with racial injustice and created the musical artform of jazz, expressing their experiences, thoughts and emotions through improvisation, exploration, and skill. In recognition of Black History Month, we reached out to two local artists for their personal perspectives on jazz music and their inspirations and experiences. 

Do you want to be part of the exciting jazz scene in Calgary? Do you want to make a difference? Do you have talents that would help JazzYYC continue to grow? JazzYYC supports a vibrant year-round jazz scene in Calgary despite the pandemic. We are a national leader in presenting socially distant festivals and concerts …

Owner, Ironwood Stage & Grill Over the past 20 years, Pat MacIntyre has become an institution in the live music scene in Calgary. He started booking bands in the early 90’s at the King Henry IV Pub downtown, and is now the proprietor of the Ironwood Stage & Grill, presenting over 400 live music shows …

BRIAN BUCHANAN Sept. 19, 1961 – Aug. 16, 2021 JazzYYC is deeply saddened by the passing of Brian Buchanan, an accomplished pianist respected as one of Western Canada’s top Jazz musicians and recognized throughout Canada. He played with many legendary artists including Clark Terry, Johnny Griffin, Herb Ellis, Freddie Hubbard, P.J Perry, Clarence “Big” Miller, Sheila Jordan, Cindy …

JazzYYC recently launched its first online 50/50 fundraiser & things are heatin’ up! Get your tickets now for a chance to win!  Funds raised by this raffle will support our many outreach and education initiatives including one of the key programs, the JazzYYC Youth Lab Band which showcases many of the best young jazz musicians in Calgary. The sale ends on …

Meet Alexander Gonzalez & Jonah Gaulin 2021 Keith Smith Scholarship Recipients JazzYYC is excited to announce the recipients of the 2021 Keith Smith Scholarship, Alexander Gonzalez and Jonah Gaulin! The Keith Smith Scholarship is the primary education award of JazzYYC of $1000 per recipient and is juried upon record of achievement, participation in the Youth …

2021 Richard Cowie Scholarship Award Recipient Meet guitarist Daniel Sanguinetti, winner of the 2021 Richard Cowie Memorial Scholarship Award. Born in Venezuela, Sanguinetti spent time in both Vancouver and Houston as a young child before arriving in Calgary at age six. His earliest memory of music was taking piano lessons with his brother in Houston …

Versatile Saxophonist & Lover of Shiny Things Saxophonist Mark DeJong has over 20 years of professional experience as a musician, educator, director, composer, bandleader, promoter, contractor, presenter and sideman. A graduate of the prestigious jazz program at Rutgers University, Mark has benefited from the tutelage of saxophone masters Ralph Bowen, George Garzone, Donny McCaslin, and …

Artist Submissions are now open for the following upcoming programming streams: JazzYYC International Jazz Days Festival: April 30th – May 27th 2021 Educational Video JazzYYC Summer Festival: June 17th – June 20th, 2021

An inspiration. Dee Daniels, a vocalist with a four-octave range, has hung and sung with many of the best in the business: Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, Toots Thielemans, Johnny Griffin, John Clayton Jr., Clark Terry, Hank Jones, Houston Person, Russell Malone, Jeff Hamilton, Ken Peplowski, Monty Alexander, and more. Her career has taken her all …

A RISING STAR Q: What are some of the advantages and/or disadvantages of being a female musician in the jazz community? Have there been any “stand out” moments/memories you’d be willing to share? A: There have definitely been a lot of ups and downs of being a woman in jazz, honestly just in being a …

New dates: TBA “One of the dancers in the show has tested positive for COVID-19,” says DJD Executive Director Kathi Sundstrom. “Safety and transparency are key values in our organization and, as such, we have instituted a 14-day quarantine for all DJD dancers and crew. Due to our strict safety protocols, we are confident that …

To be held Thursday, February 25, 2021 An Annual Meeting of the Members of the Jazz Is Society of Alberta (the ‘Society’, or ‘JazzYYC’) will be held via ZOOM meeting on Thursday, February 25, 2021 to commence at 7:00 p.m. Agenda  Receive and review the audited financial statements of the Society for the years ended August …

Q: What attracted you to joining the Board of Directors? KATE: I am a lover of jazz, live music and a dedicated supporter of the arts in YYC. When I was looking for a new volunteer board opportunity, it seemed like a great fit. This board is more hands on than previous boards I have …

JazzYYC Youth Lab Band Director Q: Can you please explain and describe what the Youth Lab Band is, what kind of commitment is involved, and some intended highlights of the upcoming season? A: The Youth Lab Band is an opportunity for aspiring young jazz musicians to immerse in the jazz medium through performing, coaching, and …