Posted by: SaskTel | June 13, 2018



Summer’s here and we’re dancing in the streets, parks, and clubs. From June 22nd to July 1st, catch the incredible SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival in Saskatoon. In addition to jazz, you’ll hear amazing funk, blues, pop, rock, electro, and a whole lotta soul.





137 shows in 10 days… so much music, so little time. To create a list of can’t-miss shows and hidden gems, we asked the festival’s Artistic Director, Kevin Tobin, for his insider tips.













WHO & WHAT TO SEE AT THE JAZZ FEST





THE FLAMING LIPS

“The Flaming Lips are kicking off the festival and are one of the best, most elaborate live shows you’ll ever see—very theatrical, unique, and interactive,” says Kevin. “Their music’s incredible but their show’s a spectacle. You’ll see inflatables, costumes, puppets, large hands, tons of confetti, and frontman Wayne Coyne sings while rolling on top of the crowd inside a man-sized plastic orb!”

Watch: June 22nd at TD Mainstage, Bessborough Gardens

Preview: Listen to them perform “Do You Realize” and“Flaming Side of the Moon”

BONOBO

“Bonobo (led by DJ Si Green) played the Jazz Fest six or seven years ago. That time, he performed solo but this time Si is bringing a full live band. Expect a beautiful, live electronic music show with elements of jazz and soul… very progressive.”

Watch: Bonobo on June 26th at TD Mainstage, Bessborough Gardens

Preview: Listen to Bonobo perform Bambro Koyo Ganda (feat. Innov Gnawa)









NEW MUSIC

“There are so many good young musicians coming up and incorporating jazz elements into their music, we’re proud to provide a platform and introduce them into the market. It’s just as important to explore the names you don’t know,” says Kevin.





Check out:





KAMASI WASHINGTON

“Kamasi Washington is a fantastic saxophonist who came out of the block so strong, playing Bonnaroo and Coachella. He’s coming with an 8 piece band that has elements of hip-hop, classical, and R&B—it was difficult to get him up to Canada because he’s in such high demand.”





GHOST-NOTE

Inspired by James Brown, Ghost-Note are first time Jazz Fest guests who’ll perform their ‘conscious funk’ on opening night. They’ve already won multiple Grammys, and their bass player, Internet star MonoNeon, used to play bass with Prince.





SONS OF KEMET

“You’ll love these young musicians out of the UK. They have dual drummers, tenor sax, and tuba and play progressive jazz, soul, and world beat music.”













LOCAL MUSICIANS

The SaskTel Jazz Festival is committed to showcasing local talent, and the majority of this year’s festival performers are homegrown artists. Be sure to catch these local bands:





THE STEADIES

A high-energy Saskatoon trio who mix pop-rock with funk and reggae to create a sound they’ve dubbed ‘island-rock’.





DENISE VALLE

This young Saskatoon songstress delivers a fiery fusion of R&B, soul, and pop.





CONNOR NEWTON

Hailing from North Battleford and now living in Saskatoon, Connor is a young jazz saxophonist playing in a powerful Saskatchewan quintet.





BOMBARGO

Opening for the John Butler Trio, Bombargo can be described as “a party band with a crowd-friendly show.”









FREE MOVIE NIGHT

Every summer, the Jazz Fest hosts a free, all-ages musical movie in the park. Last year’s movie night drew almost 1,400 people. Kevin thinks of it as “the biggest movie theatre in the province!”

This year’s film is Hairspray, a highly-rated musical comedy in which teenager Tracy Turnblad teaches 1962 Baltimore a thing or two about integration after landing a spot on a local TV dance show. Starring: John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, and Amanda Bynes.



Watch: 9:00 pm (after dark) on June 27 in the TD Mainstage, Bessborough Gardens





FUN & FREE ACTIVITIES

Bike to the festival and park your ride with our bike valet. The free stage in Kiwanis Park North will be hosting lots of free events. There’ll be face painting, arts & crafts for kids, and plenty of SaskTel phone charging stations to boost your overall festival experience (find them in the lobby of the Delta Bessborough Hotel).





GAMES, GAMES, GAMES

There will be plenty of games and activities, including badminton, bowling, spike ball, and ping pong. Plus, there will be loads of food & drink vendors!





YOGA JAM

Come participate in a free yoga class for yogis of all experience levels, led by some of Saskatoon’s premier instructors. Last year’s Yoga Jam attracted 950 participants.

Join the jam: 10:30-11:30 am on June 23rd and June 30th in Kiwanis Park North

Watch: last year’s Yoga Jam













STINGRAY JAZZ CHANNEL

Listen to Stingray Music’s SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival channel—a handpicked collection of songs by celebrated bands and headliners from around the world. Download the free Stingray Music mobile app on the App Store or on Google Play. You can also listen to the channel here.





PHONE FUN

To preview your favourite bands and performers, here’s the full Jazz Fest lineup. Download the free festival app to create your personal festival schedule. You can purchase concert tickets with your phone, plus you can filter the app to list all the free shows.





Follow the Jazz Fest on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (they’ll post photo highlights nightly) and if you’re posting pics and videos, tag them with #saskjazz2018!





And for maximum musical enjoyment, check out our Music Festival Do’s& Don’ts.





See you there!