Ottawa Jazz Festival Seeking Programming Manager
Job Title: Programming Manager
Job Type: Annual one year contract renewable
Location: Ottawa, ON
Date Posted: Jul 20, 2010
Start Time: TBA
Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Salary: Will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience
Ottawa Jazz Festival Inc. seeks a dynamic professional to join the organization as Programming Manager, succeeding the founding programming manager. Annually, the Festival produces the 10-day TD Ottawa Jazz Festival, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2010. The Festival has become one of the leading jazz festivals in the country, which annually draws 200,000 people to 230 performances at venues throughout the city of Ottawa. The Festival features music from across the country and around the world. We program a winter concert series as well.
The Programming Manager will work with management and the Board of Directors to realize the artistic vision of the Ottawa Jazz Festival which includes providing accessible, diverse programming with audience appeal for all ages, cultures, ethnic backgrounds and demographics; presenting high quality professional musicians from around the world in the best performance atmosphere; building outreach activities to increase the jazz audience; presenting interesting, creative and educational experiences which encourage interactive participation between artists and audience; and assisting in developing careers for established and emerging Canadian jazz artists.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a wide ranging knowledge of all jazz, a strong passion for the music and an understanding of the artists. Priority selection will be given to a person with demonstrated expertise as an artistic director or music programmer; and/or professional musician, educator, or collaborator who will bring an extensive community network to build on the Festival’s 30 year history; or, to a professional in the music industry and a critical understanding of the industry’s workings.
The Programming Manager reports to the Executive Producer who in turn reports to the Board of Directors. The Programming Manager regularly participates in meetings of the Programming Committee to report on artistic findings and direction.
Job Description / Primary Responsibilities:
* To work with the Festival’s Producer to develop artistic plans and oversee their implementation in accordance with directions set in the approved Strategic Plan.
* To commit to exploring and maintaining a strong and current knowledge of all artists, established and emerging, by whatever means available – electronic/live auditions– concert attendance, showcase opportunities and source appropriate talent to make artistic programming recommendations and decisions
* Negotiate fees and conditions with artists and their representatives and to carry out all signatory and approval authorities for artistic commitments consistent with established policies and procedures. To inform artists and their representatives of their responsibilities and monitor all agreements and contracts involving artistic content of The Festival’s activities.
* Provide accurate information for required budgets and work within approved budgets to deliver programming.
* Create and foster good working relationships with and amongst artists and their representatives that will obtain and maintain a high level of performance.
* Develop new relationships within the artistic community and maintain existing relationships.
* Effect cost efficiencies and artistic synergies by working collaboratively with Jazz Festival Canada members and in collaboration with other organizations.
Please submit your resume and covering letter by e-mail, mail or Fax to:
Catherine O’Grady, Executive Producer
director@ottawajazzfestival.com
294 Albert Street, suite 602
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6E6
Fax: 613-241-5774
*Please mark clearly on your application: Programming Manager Search
We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
After blowing out the candles, the TD OTTAWA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL ‘Blows its own horn’ after celebrating the most artistically successful Festival ever in 30 years!
From its roots as a weekend-long Dixieland bash to its current status as one of the National Capital Region’s largest annual events, the Festival has been thrilling music fans for 30 summers. Just over 290,000 attended the Festival’s most successful year in its 30-year history in 2010, up by 28,000 from 2009! On Canada Day more than 92,000 attended free concerts, performed by some of the most innovative and cutting-edge Canadian artists at Confederation Park.
More than 850 artists performed in 250 concerts, in 10 different series and in 8 different venues located in the heart of the Nation’s Capital.
“In an industry where success often depends on things beyond organizers’ control, the festival took major risks this year to build for the future, and everything it added worked according to plan.” – Ottawa Sun
Besides the star-studded line-up on the Main Stage there were gems to be found in the successful OLG Stage, Improv Invitational, Friends and the Late Night Jam Sessions at the Crowne Plaza.
“This year, the festival introduced the OLG Tent, a new stage in Confederation Park. Its eclectic, late-night shows were very successful, easily drawing listeners from mainstage concerts that had just concluded. The tent could not hold all who wanted to hear acts such as Bonobo or Gypsophilia.” – Ottawa Citizen
“the Improv Invitational series, experienced the best overall attendance in its five-year history, with some of its best programming to boot.” – Ottawa Sun
“The festival’s nightly jam sessions, run by Ottawa bassist John Geggie, were consistently impressive, with visiting stars such as the saxophonists Joshua Redman and Joe Lovano sitting in to play. An hour or so after the big band of Roy Hargrove finished playing in Confederation Park, the trumpeter and many of his musicians staged a benevolent takeover of the festival jam.” – Ottawa Citizen
Join us next year from June 22 – July 3 as we celebrate the 31st edition of the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival.
Benson hits the groove where jazz meets soul
Lynn Saxberg, The Ottawa Citizen
The scattered showers and cool temperatures were a minor inconvenience for smooth-jazz master George Benson at Confederation Park on Wednesday. He’s such a pro, he made everyone feel like they were in a cushy seat in a posh casino instead of a damp lawnchair.
“It’s party time, people,” the good-natured musician said at one point. “The rain ain’t gonna get us.”
The 67-year-old singer-guitarist began with a couple of instrumental pieces, Collaboration and Weekend in L.A., that demonstrated his effortlessly fluid style on a hollow-body guitar. Cascades of notes tumbled from his fingers in the form of elegant melodies, showcasing a unique playing style that was flashy but, at the same time, restrained.
Full review on the Ottawa Citizen website: Benson hits the groove where jazz meets soul
Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra preaches to the converted (concert review)
Peter Hum, Jazzblog.ca
Jensen’s orchestra returns to Ottawa on June 26, when it plays the 10:30 p.m. outdoor show in Confederation Park during the TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival.
Read more: Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra preaches to the converted
Eric Vloeimans at the National Arts Centre – Mar. 8
Considered one of Europe’s best performers, Dutch trumpet player Eric Vloeimans will perform at the National Arts Centre, Fourth Stage, on Monday, March 8, 2010, at 8-10 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. This show is another in the Ottawa Jazz Festival’s ongoing series exploring Dutch improvised music.
To read the full article, see City of Ottawa’s Spotlight on Eric Vloeimans or send an email to info@ottawajazzfestival.com.
TD Jazz Youth Summit @ Ottawa Int’l Jazz Festival – Call for Applications
TD Jazz Youth Summit
For the 6th consecutive year, the TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival is pleased to invite young jazz musicians between the ages of 17 and 22 to participate in a jazz intensive workshop during the 2010 Festival from June 24 to July 4. The results from the week long summit will be showcased during a special Canada Day presentation on July 1, and again on July 4 on the Festival’s Main Stage in Confederation Park. All eligible young jazz musicians may apply for this exciting musical adventure by March 30th, 2010.
Jim Lewis, the director of this intensive summit, is a renowned jazz professor at Humber College and the University of Toronto. He will select 15 – 20 young musicians from across Canada to participate in this event, consisting of daily 4-hour work sessions, visits from Festival headliners, and other workshop guests.
All Summit participants will receive:
- all access pass to all concerts during the 11-day TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival
- all travel and accommodation expenses for out of town participants (Summit participants are responsible for their own food and beverages)
- a guided tour of Ottawa provided by the National Capital Commission
- eligibility to be selected for a $2,000 scholarship donated by the Festival, and a $1,000 scholarship donated by Harvey Glatt through Rogers
Applications must be received by March 30th, 2010.
Contact Catherine O’Grady at 613.241.2633 or 1-888-226-4495 for detailed information.
Jazz festival to stage “Friends” series at NAC’s Studio Theatre
Loss of NAC sponsorship forces major changes
By Peter Hum
The Ottawa Citizen
The Ottawa International Jazz Festival will be revamped for next year’s 30th anniversary edition, with an ambitious concert series added, a longstanding series cancelled and an indoor series moved outdoors.
“If anything, there will be more programming” as a result of the re-organization, says Catherine O’Grady, the festival’s executive producer.
O’Grady says the event will stage a new “Friends” series at the National Arts Centre’s Studio theatre, featuring several A-list jazz artists giving concerts over two and three nights with different bands of their choosing.
She would not disclose whom the festival has invited to take part in this series, but premium tickets would apply.
The “Friends” concerts — so named because they would involve musicians who previously gave memorable Ottawa festival concerts — are to be staged in the evening, and would conflict with the festival’s mainstage offerings.
As it did this year, the festival will offer super-sized, three-concert evenings most nights in Confederation Park, O’Grady says.
Meanwhile, the festival’s 10:30 p.m. series will relocate from the NAC’s Studio to the OLG tent in Confederation Park. Facing a budget shortfall, the NAC this year ended its sponsorship of the festival’s late-night series, and rather than rent the Studio, the festival will save money by shifting the concerts to the park.
To read the full article, click here.
Jazz from around the world to celebrate our 30th anniversary season!
The Ottawa Jazz Festival is pleased to announce this year’s fall/winter Concert Series, featuring six performances by internationally acclaimed, award-winning artists from around the world. In addition to this Concert Series, the Festival will be holding a live wine auction and benefit concert fundraiser on Tuesday, December 8, featuring Juno award winning jazz vocalist Sophie Milman as the special guest performer.
Known as a grand master of improvisation, French vocalist and cornet player Médéric Collignon will be performing at the National Arts Centre Fourth Stage on Tuesday, December 1 at 7pm. Encompassing styles as diverse as cool jazz, rhythm and blues, free jazz, contemporary electro-acoustic, big band and orchestral, Collignon’s original music fascinates and thrills. Presented in partnership with the (French Embassy/CulturesFrance.)
On Tuesday, December 8, the Jazz Festival hosts its 12th Annual Benefit Concert and Auction at Library and Archives Canada. Exciting dinner packages, exotic destinations, wine selection for all tastes and budgets – and just in time for Christmas! CBC Radio One’s Alan Neal will be the evening’s host and auctioneer, while Konrad Ejbich, regular Ontario Today wine commentator on CBC Radio One, will be the wine guest auctioneer. A performance by Juno winner Sophie Milman is the perfect finale to this evening!
Considered the premier banjo player in the world, Béla Fleck will perform his Africa Project: featuring Bassekou Kouyate, Ngoni Ba and Anania Ngoliga with John Kitime on Monday, March 1, 8pm at Dominion-Chalmers United Church. In on-location collaborations with musicians from Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, Mali, South Africa and Madagascar, Fleck explores the African origins of the banjo, the prototype of which was brought to American shores by African slaves. Ottawa audiences will remember Fleck from his two previous sold-out appearances at the Ottawa Jazz Festival.
Dutch trumpet player Eric Vloeimans is considered one of the best performers in Europe. As a composer he does not feel restricted to one particular style, and has managed to create an evocative, harmonic language of his own. The Festival is very pleased to be presenting this show in co-operation with the Royal Netherlands Embassy on Monday, March 8, 7pm at the National Arts Centre, Fourth Stage.
The 30th TD Canada Trust Ottawa International Jazz Festival will take place from June 24 to July 4. Bigger than ever, the 30th anniversary celebrations will showcase hundreds of artists – an event not to be missed!
Tickets for the Cory Weeds Quintet, Rory Magill and Rake-star, Quartetski, Médéric Collignon and Eric Vloeimans concerts are available at: National Arts Centre box office – 53 Elgin St., Ottawa; Tel. (613) 947-7000; Ottawa Jazz Festival office – 602-294 Albert St., (613) 241-2633; and Ticketmaster (613) 755-1111 or www.ticketmaster.ca
Tickets for the Benefit Concert and Auction and the Béla Fleck Africa Project are available at the Ottawa Jazz Festival office and on the Festival website; both Compact Music and all 3 CD Warehouse locations; or Ticketmaster (613) 755-1111 or www.ticketmaster.ca
TD Canada Trust renews its commitment to Jazz in Canada: TD extends corporate sponsorship of major Canadian jazz festivals through 2014
Today, TD Bank Financial Group announced that it has extended its sponsorship of eight major Canadian jazz festivals through to 2014. TD Canada Trust is currently the title sponsor of the Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax jazz festivals and a major sponsor of the Saskatchewan jazz festival. In 2010, TD will assume the role of title sponsor of the Winnipeg and Victoria festivals and as announced in July of 2009, next year marks the year TD becomes presenting sponsor of the renowned Montreal International Jazz Festival.
“We’re excited to extend our partnership with these jazz festivals across Canada and we look forward to playing a bigger role in Victoria, Winnipeg and Montreal next year,” said Tim Hockey, President and CEO, TD Canada Trust. “TD has been supporting jazz in Canada for many years and in that time, millions of fans have enjoyed the performances of thousands of artists at these terrific festivals.”
“We are thrilled to have TD’s continued support at our festivals. Each festival has become the success it is because of our volunteers, community support and TD’s commitment to music,” said Patrick Taylor, Executive Producer & CEO, TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival. “And we’re very pleased to announce that with TD assuming the presenting sponsorship position of the Montreal International Jazz Festival and title sponsor of the Winnipeg and Victoria jazz festivals, it is now one of the biggest supporters of jazz music in the world.”
In addition to their commitment to music, the Canadian jazz festivals will continue to work closely with TD to educate their communities about the environment. In efforts to reduce their carbon footprint, Canadian jazz festivals have launched a range of eco-friendly initiatives like recycling programs, locally sourced organic food options, and sourcing renewable energy to power the stages.
“Music programs, festivals, and talented performers all contribute to keeping our communities culturally vibrant,” continued Hockey. “After years of sponsoring jazz festivals and youth outreach programs across Canada, we have seen firsthand how much music means to Canadians as both an expression of cultural identity and a source of enjoyment.”
About TD Music
TD Bank Financial Group is committed to supporting music across Canada. In addition to supporting eight major jazz festivals across the country over the last seven years, TD Bank Financial Group is committed to various programs and events including Opera Ontario, the Toronto Symphony, National Youth Orchestra and The Nathaniel Dett Chorale who performed during President Obama’s Inauguration. TD also supports a variety of local, regional and national programs across Canada promoting literacy, health, education and the environment.
About TD Bank Financial Group
The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Financial Group. TD Bank Financial Group is the sixth largest bank in North America by branches and serves approximately 17 million customers in four key businesses operating in a number of locations in key financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Canada Trust and TD Insurance; Wealth Management, including TD Waterhouse and an investment in TD Ameritrade; U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking through TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD Bank Financial Group also ranks among the world’s leading online financial services firms, with more than 5.5 million online customers. TD Bank Financial Group had CDN$545 billion in assets on July 31, 2009. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol “TD” on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.
Ottawa International Jazz Festival presents Rory Magill Rake-star project
Community Programming
October 27, 2009
Rake-star meets Gamelan
Semara Winangun
Featuring:
Rory Magill – percussion, trombone
Linsey Wellman – alto & soprano sax, flute, bass clarinet
David Broscoe – baritone & alto sax, clarinet
Rob Frayne – tenor sax, bass clarinet, synthesizer
Eldritch Priest – guitar
Mike Essoudry – percussion, clarinet
Gamelan Semara Winangun is:
Jamie Gullikson, Alnoor Allidina, Rob Bitschofsky, Widya Gunawan, Rachel Handley, Bill Lamont, Mark Molnar, Kristy Nease, Dan Powell, Lori Snyder, Sarah Thrasher, Linsey Wellman, Yukie Whittleton.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
National Arts Centre, Fourth Stage 7:00pm
