| SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Blues Jazz World music |
| Locations | Saskatoon,Saskatchewan Canada |
| Years active | 1987–2019, 2021–Present |
| Website | www.saskjazz.com |
TheSaskatchewan Jazz Festival (formerly branded as theSaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival for sponsorship reasons) is an annual outdoormusic festival held inSaskatoon,Saskatchewan. Established in 1987, it has largely been held at the gardens of theDelta Bessborough hotel in Saskatoon, and features performers representing many genres—but particularlyjazz,blues, andfolk.[1]
The event features live performances from various locations in downtown Saskatoon; two of the festival's main locations have been theDelta Bessborough hotel (which hosts the ticketed "TD Mainstage" events), and Victoria Park along theSouth Saskatchewan River. Other festival venues have included theBroadway Theatre.[2]
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 | BroadwayBill 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 |
The festival originated in Saskatoon and later programmed events in other Saskatchewan communities includingRegina,Moose Jaw,North Battleford andPrince 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 theCOVID-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 musicianTenille 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]
52°07′34″N106°39′29″W / 52.1260°N 106.6581°W /52.1260; -106.6581
