Ottawa Jazzfest wrapped with eclectic nine-day lineup across Confederation Park
The festival featured traditional jazz alongside hip-hop, rock, rap, and blues, with headliners ranging from Jeff Goldblum to BADBADNOTGOOD plus local acts making their Jazzfest debut.
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Update — July 26, 2026: Ottawa Bluesfest, not Jazzfest, concluded its 32nd edition on July 19 at LeBreton Flats Park with The Guess Who headlining the nine-night festival that ran July 9–19. The festival featured over 100 acts across multiple genres, with several nights drawing crowds exceeding 30,000 people, including a July 17 performance by Ella Langley that drew an estimated 40,000 attendees.
Ottawa Jazzfest wrapped up last week after nine jam-packed days of performances that spanned far beyond traditional jazz at Confederation Park.
The festival showcased an eclectic blend of genres—traditional jazz mixed with hip-hop, rock, rap, and blues—drawing both long-time favorites and newer acts building their presence in the scene. Highlights included Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, BADBADNOTGOOD, Bob James, St. Vincent & The NAC Orchestra, GALACTIC, and WILLOW.
Local talent also took the stage throughout the week. The Peter Hum Sextet, Nick Schofield, Angelique Francis, and BLAKDENIM performed either as established fixtures in Ottawa's music scene or made their Jazzfest debut. The range of subgenres meant every jazz fan found something on the festival grounds, from purists to experimental enthusiasts.
Photographers captured the energy across the nine days. Organizers are already looking ahead to next year's festival and upcoming coverage of Bluesfest later this summer.
