The Saskatchewan Jazz Festival (formerly branded as the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival for sponsorship reasons) is an annual outdoor music festival held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Established in 1987, it has largely been held at the gardens of the Delta Bessborough hotel in Saskatoon, and features performers representing many genres—but particularly jazz, blues, and folk.
Concerts The event features live performances from various locations in downtown Saskatoon; two of the festival's main locations have been the Delta Bessborough hotel (which hosts the ticketed "TD Mainstage" events), and Victoria Park along the South Saskatchewan River. Other festival venues have included the Broadway Theatre.
Awards 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. + Special Recognition AwardYearRecipient1989Paul Perry1990Gordie Brandt1981Chris Gage1992Bridge City Dixieland Jazz Band1993Herbie Spanier1984Jon Ballantyne1995Bob Moyer1996Solstice1997Jim Moffat1998Barney Kutz1999Bobby Klassen2000Don Watson2001Don Keeler2002Dr. Ed Lewis2003Ray Dahlen Sound2003Peter Dyksman2005Broadway Bill Watson2006Maurice Drouin2007Pat Steel2008Fred Ballantyne2009Ted Warren2010Jack Semple2011Dean McNeill2012Sheldon Corbett2013Don Griffith2014Kelly Jefferson2015Al Muirhead2016Barrie Redford2017Skip Kutz2018Ross Ulmer2019Suzie Vinnick
History The festival originated in Saskatoon and later programmed events in other Saskatchewan communities including Regina, Moose Jaw, North Battleford and Prince Albert. 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. The event’s 21st annual edition took place in 2007, and it was previously considered one of the largest jazz festivals in Western Canada.
The 2020 festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event returned for 2021, although downsized with only Canadian talent due to travel restrictions. In 2022, the festival moved its free programming to Saskatoon's downtown Victoria Park, including Canada Day festivities headlined by country musician Tenille Arts. 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.
Sponsorship 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.
References
External links SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival The 21st Annual SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival First Shows Go ... News Release – Canada's New Government Supports Saskatchewan Jazz ... Spirit of Vancouver – October 30, 2003 – TD Canada Trust Announces ...