Jazz Music in Edmonton
Looking for the best places to enjoy jazz music in Edmonton? Check out our top picks for live jazz venues in the city!
Introducing Edmonton’s Jazz Scene
If you’re a fan of jazz music, you’ll be happy to know that Edmonton has a thriving jazz scene. With a number of live music venues and regular events, there’s always something going on for fans of this genre. In this article, we’ll introduce you to some of the best places to catch a jazz show in Edmonton.
The history of Jazz in Edmonton
Jazz music has been a part of Edmonton’s music scene for many years. The first recorded jazz performance in the city took place in 1923. In the years that followed, Jazz music became increasingly popular, with clubs and venues hosting regular performances.
Today, Edmonton’s jazz scene is thriving, with a number of clubs and venues hosting regular performances. If you’re interested in experiencing jazz music in Edmonton, be sure to check out one of the city’s many Jazz clubs.
The current state of Jazz in Edmonton
Jazz music has been a part of Edmonton’s culture for many years, with the city even hosting its own jazz festival. Despite this, the genre has been in decline in recent years. According to a report by the CBC, the number of jazz clubs in Edmonton has decreased from six to just two in the past decade.
This decline is likely due to a combination of factors, including changing musical tastes and the high cost of running a live music venue. Nevertheless, there are still some great places to enjoy jazz in Edmonton. The Yardbird Suite is one of the city’s most popular jazz clubs, and it hosts regular live music performances.
If you’re interested in exploring Edmonton’s jazz scene, be sure to check out some of the city’s best venues. With a little effort, you can still find great live music and support local musicians.
The Venues
Jazz music has been around for over a century and has played a significant role in the development of popular music. Jazz music is a genre of music that originated in the African-American communities in the southern United States. It is a style of music that is characterized by improvised solos, swing, and call-and-response.
The Yardbird Suite
The Yardbird Suite is a live music venue that specializes in jazz music. It is located in the heart of downtown Edmonton, on Jasper Avenue. The venue has been open since 1999, and has become one of the most popular jazz clubs in the city.
The Yardbird Suite offers a wide range of live music, from local and up-and-coming artists to internationally renowned headliners. The venue also has a restaurant and bar, which serves a selection of Alberta-made beers and wines.
If you’re looking for a great place to enjoy some live jazz music, then be sure to check out The Yardbird Suite.
The Blue Chair Cafe
The Blue Chair Cafe is a live music venue and coffeehouse located in the heart of historic Old Strathcona in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. We feature live jazz six nights a week as well as world music, folk, and singer-songwriters on our Main Stage. Our intimate Side Stage is a great place to catch up-and-coming artists in an informal setting. Our focus is on acoustic music but we also feature the occasional electric band. We offer a full food and drink menu including breakfast, lunch, and dinner items plus a large selection of beer, wine, and spirits.
The Edmonton Public Library
The EPL has always been a great supporter of the local music scene in Edmonton. They have a variety of events and programs that are suitable for all ages and interests. One of their most popular programs is their monthly jazz series, which features some of the best local and visiting jazz musicians.
The series takes place on the first Thursday of every month, and is always free to attend. The concerts start at 7:30pm and usually go until 9:00pm. Each month features a different lineup, so there is always something new to enjoy.
If you’re a fan of jazz music, or just want to check out some great local talent, be sure to head down to the EPL for their monthly jazz series.
The Ironwood Stage and Grill
The Ironwood Stage & Grill is a music venue and restaurant in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Ironwood is located on Gateway Boulevard in the city’s south end. The venue has a capacity of 400 people. It is known for its concerts and events, and for its chicken wings.
The Ironwood opened in 2008 and is owned by Craig Stanghetta and his wife, Carolyn. The Stanghettas also own and operate the nearby Almanac and Black Dog Freehouse. The Ironwood is located in a converted warehouse that was built in the 1920s.
The venue has a main stage, a smaller stage, a dance floor, and a restaurant area. The restaurant serves American comfort food such as burgers, salads, ribs, and chicken wings. The menu also includes vegan options.
The Ironwood hosts live music seven nights a week. The venue has hosted many local and international acts including Bif Naked, Jann Arden, Colin James, Blue Rodeo, Steve Earle,Spirit of the West, k.d. lang, Barney Bentall, Tom Cochrane, Sarah McLachlan, 54•40, Red Rider#x2013;and Big Sugar.
The Artists
Edmonton is home to a diverse and vibrant music scene, and jazz is no exception. The city is home to a number of talented jazz musicians who are making a name for themselves both locally and internationally. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the top jazz musicians in Edmonton.
Kris Kadwell
Kris Kadwell is a Juno award winning Canadian guitarist, composer and educator, who has been performing and teaching Jazz guitar in Edmonton for over two decades. A versatile musician, Kadwell is equally at home playing bebop, swing, Latin, funk or fusion and his writing reflects these diverse influences. He has released six CDs of original music, the latest of which is “Jungle Fiction” (2017), and his compositions have been performed by some of Canada’s leading Jazz musicians. Kadwell is a faculty member in the Jazz Studies department at MacEwan University where he teaches improvisation, combo and guitar courses. He is also the Director of the MacEwan University Jazz Camp.
Chelsea McBride
Chelsea McBride is a young Canadian jazz musician who has been making waves in the Edmonton music scene. She started playing piano at age 4, and picked up the tenor saxophone at age 11. She received her BMus from McGill University in 2017, and has since been performing and teaching in the city.
Chelsea is a member of several local bands, including the funk/soul group Sugarfoot, the Latin jazz outfit Orquestra La Gorda, and her own jazz quartet. She has also had the opportunity to perform with some of Canada’s top jazz musicians, including Mike Rud and Andre Leroux.
Chelsea is a dedicated educator, holding workshops and classes around Edmonton. She is also a regular columnist for the Edmonton Journal, where she writes about the local jazz scene.
Holly Hyatt
Holly Hyatt is a Juno nominated jazz vocalist, radio host, and arts educator from Edmonton, Alberta. She has released four albums of original music and her latest record, “The Righteous Love”, was nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award. Holly has performed at festivals and clubs across Canada and the United States, and her music has been featured on CBC Radio 2, Jazz FM 91.1, and CTV Edmonton.
Michael Blake
Saxophonist, composer and bandleader Michael Blake is one of the most original and idiosyncratic artists to emerge on the Canadian jazz scene in recent years. His singular approach to improvisation and composition integrates elements of jazz, rock, rhythm & blues, grebo and world music into a highly personal and unique vision. Blake has released four critically acclaimed albums as a leader, the most recent being Housework (2010), which features his collaborating musicians from across Canada and the United States. An active member of the Canadian jazz community, Blake frequently performs as a sideman with some of the country’s leading musicians. He has toured extensively throughout Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia, and his music has been heard on CBC Radio One’s “After Hours” and “Fresh Air” programs.
The Future of Jazz in Edmonton
It is no secret that jazz music is on the decline in popularity. In recent years, the number of people attending jazz concerts in Edmonton has decreased. This is troubling for the future of jazz in the city. While there are still a few dedicated jazz clubs in Edmonton, the lack of interest in the genre means that these clubs may not be able to stay open for much longer.
The next generation of Jazz musicians in Edmonton
Jazz music has been a staple in Edmonton for many years, with the city being home to a number of talented musicians. However, as the older generation of Jazz musicians retire, there is a worry that the genre may die out in the city.
Thankfully, there is a new generation of Jazz musicians who are keeping the music alive in Edmonton. These young musicians are keeping the traditions of Jazz alive while also adding their own unique style to the genre.
The future of Jazz in Edmonton is bright thanks to these young musicians. They are ensuring that the music will continue to be enjoyed by people for many years to come.
