Ottawa (Tuesday, January 21, 2025) – The highly anticipated 2025 Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival is just around the corner, bringing an electrifying lineup of world-class artists to warm up the nation’s capital. With an array of exceptional performances scheduled from Jan 30 to Feb 1 at Arts Court as a Winterlude activity, this year’s festival promises a dazzling celebration of jazz, funk, soul, and innovative artistry. Don’t miss this unforgettable musical experience!
John Hollenbeck’s GEORGE Date: Jan 30 | Time: 9:00 PM Celebrated Grammy Award-winning drummer, pianist, and composer John Hollenbeck presents GEORGE, a project born during the COVID pandemic. Joined by the extraordinary Anna Webber (tenor sax/flute), Sarah Rossy (voice/keyboards), and Chiquita Magic (keyboards/voice), Hollenbeck explores the name George, from George Washington Carver, George Michael to George Orwell and beyond, its historical and cultural significance through an extraordinary musical lens. Expect a performance as innovative as it is thought-provoking.
NitroTurtle Date: Jan 31 | Time: 7:30 PM Ottawa’s own funk collective NitroTurtle takes the stage with their unique blend of funk, R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and soul. Led by Deniz Lim-Sersan (drums) and featuring a rotating cast of top-tier local talent, this high-energy performance will have you dancing, grooving, and nodding along.
Tara KannangaraDate: Jan 31 | Time: 10:00 PM Genre-bending and deeply personal, Tara Kannangara’s music blends her Sri Lankan-Canadian heritage with jazz, pop, and experimental sounds. With wild trumpet melodies, lush synths, and piercing lyricism, this Juno-nominated vocalist and trumpet player promises a show to remember. Joining her are Chris Pruden (piano/keyboards), Michael Fong (guitar), Julian Anderson-Bowes (bass), and Mackenzie Longpre (drums).
Virginia MacDonald QuartetDate: Feb 1 | Time: 7:30 PM Juno Award-winning clarinetist Virginia MacDonald brings her soulful sound to the festival, joined by an exceptional trio: Jean-Michel Pilc (keyboards), Valérie Lacombe (drums), and Mark Lewandowski (bass). Described as a “powerful new voice in the Canadian scene,” MacDonald’s lyrical and captivating performance is not to be missed.
Julian Selody: For the BirdsDate: Feb 1 | Time: 8:00 PM Journey into the world of birds with multi-instrumentalist and composer Julian Selody. Utilizing computer electronics, field recordings, flutes, and saxophones, Selody improvises alongside our avian friends in a surround-sound experience that brings nature to life. Joining him is Olivier Fairfield, a songwriter, designer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist.
These are just some of the highlights of the 2025 Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival. Watch for more featured spotlights coming soon. Join us for a festival filled with innovation, artistry, and the joy of live music.
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