Halifax Jazz Festival focused on accessibility and local talent

The 2025 TD Halifax Jazz Festival is just weeks away and promises to be more inclusive than ever.

The 39th Halifax Jazz Festival is reminding the public, many of the performances are free.

“That’s always been the case with the festival. But we really wanted to emphasize that a lot of our programing is free to the public,” said Andrew Jackson, artistic director of the Halifax Jazz Festival.

“And that’s really important to us because, you know, we want to be sharing with the community. You know, as a not-for-profit organization, that’s such a crucial thing for us to be able to share all this wonderful music.”

In fact, 70 per cent of the performances are free throughout the city, as the festival kicks off July 15th and runs until the 20th.

In 39 years, the success of the festival is apparent to organizers because of the diversity.

“I think the variety of music that we offer at the festival is key to success,” Jackson said. “We always bring a lot of different surprises, music that’s coming out of left field. For instance, we have acts like Big Boy and Saint Vincent that are going to be headlining the festival.”

And this year, many local acts are opening for the main stages.

One of those free local acts on the waterfront, is first time festival performer, Jeremie Boudreau and his trio, Nova Fiasco Three.

“This is my first time performing at the Jazz Festival this year,” said Boudreau. “And I’ve gone to this festival for probably three to five years now. So, the fact that I’m performing for the first time is pretty exciting, really, because I’m able to join on this thing I have been seeing for years.”

His group is brining his unique compositions to life but also giving a harmonized sound.

“We’re able to really just access so many different kind of genres, color palettes and just sonic territories with just three small people,” he explained. “And I think with that small unit, the fact that we’re able to go to so many different worlds with that, I think it’s really kind of a special thing.”

Sharing this passion with the world, is something Boudreau said he’s ready for.

“The Nova Fiasco Three, it’s my first time putting my compositions in a jazz context. I’ve always written in private for the longest time, but this is the first time that my music will be put in the jazz context and performing in front of people,” he said.

“My music is written based on my personal experiences. I mean, it’s basically just me going through life. And I think people can appreciate the fact that there’s a little bit of that, kind of like my personal touch with that music, you know?”

Having gotten his start with Jazz at Local Jazz Nights, getting a gig at Jazz Festival was a “pinch me moment” for him.

“I was just chilling on the couch, and then I get a ping on my phone saying, ‘you got to be a part of Jazz Fest now’. And it’s so great,” he laughed.

“And I’m just on top of the world here. My mom’s coming in from work in five minutes. I’m trying to think, oh my gosh, how am I going to tell my mom and everything?”

“She’s really supportive. And my entire family loves it when I’m able to just share my music with everyone else. So, for this, it’s kind of a big step for me and my family. It’s really pretty awesome.”

The Jazz Festival comes at a perfect tourism time of year.

“It’s really amazing for us. There’s so many tourists that are coming to the city and looking for different experiences and for us to offer something that’s like entirely unique,” said Jackson. “And, you know, spontaneous. With jazz at the heart of it is really important to us.”

According to those who have attended in the past, it has a little something for everyone.

“Go in and try to see everything honestly, I have my particular kind of flavors of jazz that I kind of enjoy, but I’ve kind of pushed myself in previous years to kind of check out acts that I probably at first I didn’t think I would really enjoy, but then I go and check them out,” said Boudreau. “And I was blown away.”

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