Livestreamed from St. Catharines

Join the TD Niagara Jazz Festival's Juliet Dunn and Peter Shea, plus our guest Emcee Ronnie Littlejohn as they begin this day-long event by acknowledging the land on which we're gathering as the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples.

The land acknowledgement will be followed by a performance by Philip Davis (Mohawk) and Franklyn McNaughton.

The Heavyweights Brass Band have built a reputation as Canada’s reigning champions of feel­-good horn music. Over the last decade they have toured extensively and shared the stage with Trombone Shorty, The Roots, Galactic, and The Soul Rebels, among many others. Their unique style never fails to move any audience, and has earned them a loyal following from fans across all genres.

For more about the Heavyweights Brass Band, CLICK HERE

Based in New Orleans, LA, Vegas Cola Band gets the party started with energetically infectious R&B, soul and funk renditions. Powerful performances paired with expertly curated set lists that pepper dynamic original songs make the band a consummate favorite of NOLA tourists and locals alike.

For more about Vegas Cola Band, CLICK HERE

The Dragon Ritual Drummers are an award-winning drum troupe that hail from the Niagara Region. Their music celebrates the rhythms and culture of New Orleans voodoo, Creole swamp magic and the mysticism of the Underground Railroad. The Dragon Ritual Drummers are not only entertainers and educators about the drum culture they represent at events across North America, but immersed among the traditions known as voodoo, santeria and Ifa. From Mardi Gras parade rhythms to honouring the spirits of nature, their music transports you to another time and place where we can all dance together in a celebration of life.

For more about the Dragon Ritual Drummers, CLICK HERE

More information TBA

The BIG 6 BRASS BAND is currently one of the hottest and most talked about brass bands in New Orleans. Bringing a new modern edge to the brass band sound, BIG 6’s popularity amongst second-lines clubs, Mardi Gras Indians and hip-hop heads is reminiscent of the ReBirth Brass Band in the mid-1990s. The band’s lead trumpeter, Eric Gordon (a former student of Dr. Brice Miller) blends the brass band style, Mardi Gras Indian funk, and rap all on one energetic presentation. BIG 6’s energy is a joyful experience.

For more about Big 6 Brass Band, CLICK HERE

The Heavyweights Brass Band have built a reputation as Canada’s reigning champions of feel­-good horn music. Over the last decade they have toured extensively and shared the stage with Trombone Shorty, The Roots, Galactic, and The Soul Rebels, among many others. Their unique style never fails to move any audience, and has earned them a loyal following from fans across all genres.

For more about the Heavyweights Brass Band, CLICK HERE

When life gives you lemons, make cocktails! Follow along with Christopher Smith as he shows viewers how to mix a variety of thirst-quenching beverages to beat the heat and toast the Crescent City.

Christopher Smith first job in a restaurant when he was 14 and has worked in hospitality ever since with a few exceptions. He grew up on the west coast but moved to Toronto to complete his Masters in Art History. Chris has worked at many local hotspots in Toronto through the years, peppered with adventurous travels to 5 continents. What keeps Christopher Smith going you might ask?!
"In work as in travel, I am thrilled by the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life, and believe me, it NEVER gets dull!!😉"

Greetings from our special guests, including:

• Ontario Creates
• Humeniuk Foundation
• Mishka Balsom (GNCC)
• Federico Holten-Andersen (Winemakers Vintage)
• Michael Sommer

Dr. Brice “Doc” Miller is a second-generation New Orleans Grammy-nominated jazz musician and award-winning educator, anthropologist and ethnomusicologist. Dr. Miller is also CEO and founder of The New Orleans Music Company, a entertainment services and production company focusing on sharing the music and cultural performances of New Orleans with the world. As one of New Orleans most respected and requested musicians (he’s also a popular DJ!), Miller is the epitome of a New Orleans jazz man. With a velvety deep baritone voice and buttery smooth trumpeting style, plus a personality and smile that will turn the gloomiest day sunny, from jazz to funk, brass band to trad jazz, big band to hip-hop, Dr. Brice Miller is so New Orleans!

For more about Dr. Brice Miller, CLICK HERE

Lance is a Juno award winning producer (Leahy) and the 2014 Maple Blues Award ‘Keyboardist of the Year’. Considered one of Canada’s finest record producers, Lance has his own label Make It Real Records which only records live-off-the-floor and captures the drama of a real performance. Blackburn, Fathead, Garth Hudson, The Cameo Blues Band and 2B3 The Toronto Sessions are just some of the artists Lance has produced. Lance is also an internationally known Hammond organ player, and is a specialist in the N’Orleans piano style. He has performed at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, The Mont Tremblant Blues Festival, The Southside Shuffle and the Kitchener Blues Festivals amongst many others and has been featured on CBC Radio’s Saturday Night Blues and the Gumbo Kitchen on Jazz.fm Toronto.

For more about Lance Anderson, CLICK HERE