Media Release | For Immediate Release
Winnipeg, Manitoba (July 21, 2026)
SIX DAYS OF WORLD-CLASS MUSICAL DISCOVERY
Recap of the 35th TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival
More than 24,100 attendees filled Winnipeg's Exchange District and venues across the city over six days—marking the 35th festival in Jazz Winnipeg's 37-year history.
The festival once again proved its place as the largest music festival within Winnipeg's city limits, bringing world-class artistry, community connection, and direct economic impact to the heart of the city in a series of ticketed concerts and free programming on the Old Market Square stage. Attendance at ticketed events was on par with the previous year; however, attendance at outdoor programming was down just over 27% with cold and wet weather playing a factor.
This year's festival, which ran from July 16-21 with high school honour bands featured on July 15, continued its commitment to showcasing homegrown talent, with 41 Manitoba artists (up 28% from the previous year) on festival stages. Local highlights included Soul Supreme at the Burton Cummings Theatre, Erin Propp & Larry Roy, Sir Luc & The Dukes, Kelly Bado, Casimiro Nhussi and the NAfro Band, Son D’Arranke, and the University of Manitoba Jazz Orchestra, among many others. Overall, the festival showcased 57 artists, up almost 10% from 2025. This year’s emphasis on presenting international (non-US) artists saw an increased of 250% over last year’s programming with 7 artists featured. Three US artists also took the stage (a decrease of 62%).
The festival was powered by 268 volunteers contributing more than 2,732 hours. Volunteers are truly the backbone of the event that has become a beloved summer tradition.
Above: Local band Son D’Arranke had crowd grooving at Old Market Square for Latin Night on June 19.
“The energy and support we witnessed throughout the 2026 TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival reaffirm that jazz continues to bring people together in powerful ways, creating moments of connection, discovery, and celebration across our city. We’re incredibly grateful to the audiences, artists, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners who made this year’s Festival such a remarkable success.”
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
This year's lineup featured 57 artists from 8 countries in venues including the Burton Cummings Theatre, Desautels Concert Hall, Fort Garry Hotel, West End Cultural Centre, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Little Brown Jug, Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club and the TD Mainstage at Old Market Square.
Miles Electric Band: Celebrating 100 Years of Miles Davis — led by Vincent Wilburn Jr. with Miles Davis band alumni, Keyon Harrold, and DJ Logic
Molly Johnson — one of Canada's greatest voices, performing new material with her longtime trio of Robi Botos, Mike Downes, and Davide Di Renzo
Jason Marsalis — an evening with Jason, of the legendary Marsalis family, on vibraphones, in a special collaboration with Kirstin Korb’s band.
Soul Supreme Live in Concert: A D'Angelo Tribute — curated by Keisha Booker with a 12-piece band celebrating one of R&B's most influential artists.
The International Jazz Showcase at Fort Garry Hotel brought artists from the USA, Iceland, France, Denmark, Spain, and Canada, while a special collaboration with Winnipeg Folk Festival presented The Cat Empire: "Riebl Tedesco McGill" at the West End Cultural Centre.
Above: Iceland’s ADHD played to a standing ovation at The Club Room on June 18. Photo by Matt Duboff.
Standout moments included Erin Propp and Larry Roy’s heartrending take on Joni Mitchel’’s Hejira, a standing ovation for Iceland’s ADHD at the Club Room, the thrilling discovery of France’s NoSax NoClar at Burton Cummings Theatre, packed nightly jams at Times Changed High and Lonesome Club featuring guest spots by Keyonn Harrold, Begonia, Keisha Booker, Robinson Khoury, members of ADHD and MEB, and more, Winnipeg collective Soul Supreme gracing the big stage at Burton Cummings Theatre, and local legends-in-the-making Irvin Miller Band delivering a powerful musical sermon on unity and togetherness to close of the festival on the Old Market Square stage Sunday evening.
Above: Irvin Miller Band closed the festival to a captivated crowd on June 21. Photo by Matt Duboff.
2026 BY THE NUMBERS
| Days | 6 (Tuesday, June 16 – Sunday, June 21) |
| Total attendance | 24,117 |
| Venues | 6 |
| Artists | 57 |
| Countries represented | 8 (Canada, USA, France, Denmark, Iceland, Spain, Australia, Hungary) |
| Manitoba artists | 41 |
| Touring Canadian artists | 9 |
| International acts | 10 |
| Number of volunteers | 268 |
| Volunteer hours | 2,732 |
“Experiencing audiences grooving together and collectively experiencing the joy of jazz reaffirmed to me why the jazz fest has been my favourite time of year since I moved to Winnipeg. There’s a magic this festival holds, and we take that seriously year after year. We’re already dreaming up how to make 2027 even more unforgettable.”
WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS SAYING
"The Exchange District comes alive each June during the Winnipeg Jazz Festival with an elevated music experience every year and introducing new visitors. Music lovers spill out of Old Market Square and into the streets of the Exchange District, exploring all the neighbourhood has to offer. We truly value our partnership." — David Pensato, Executive Director, Exchange District BIZ
"It’s a great vibe that brings people downtown. For me Robinson Khoury was a true discovery and the programming overall was astounding. " — 2026 TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival attendee
SPECIAL PROGRAMMING
WHAT’S NEXT FOR JAZZ WINNIPEG?
Jazz at the Fort Garry Hotel — We return this fall with weekly shows on Sunday nights starting September 13 in The Club Room—the intimate venue audiences loved during the festival.
Sparkle & Swing - November 13, 2026 — Save the date to join us at Centre Caboto for an evening of music, dancing, silent auction and more in support of Jazz Winnipeg. Details and tickets coming soon at jazzwinnipeg.com.
Jazz at the Fort Garry Hotel returns this fall with weekly shows on Sunday nights in The Club Room.
Media Resources
High-resolution photos, logos, and videos — as well as interview subjects — are available upon request by contacting marketing@jazzwinnipeg.com.
Jazz Winnipeg gratefully acknowledges the support of Canadian Heritage, Manitoba Arts Council, Winnipeg Arts Council, Richardson Foundation, and festival sponsors Manitoba Liquor Marts, Tetro Design, Little Brown Jug, Winnipeg Free Press, Bell Media, UMFM, Manitoba Film and Music, Exchange District BIZ, Manitoba Music, St. John's Music, The Fort Garry Hotel, Fairmont Winnipeg, Prairie Mobile, Nifty and the commitment of our title sponsor, TD.
About Jazz Winnipeg: Jazz Winnipeg is a charitable arts organization dedicated to sharing the joy of jazz and creative music through the Winnipeg International Jazz Festival and year-round programming.
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Media Contact: Mitch Kruse, Marketing & Communications Specialist, Jazz Winnipeg | 204.894.0394 | marketing@jazzwinnipeg.com