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The Festival began in 1989, when top jazz artists were booked to perform at the Kew Beach Bandshell. It has since then attracted millions of fans and made a major contribution to promoting Canadian jazz excellence in Toronto and on the world stage.
She's brought you countless musicians for your listening and groovin' pleasure such as Brian Hughes, David Blamires, Jane Bunnett, Warren Hill, Jesse Cook, Ingrid Jensan, Carole Weilsman, Molly Johnson, Francois Bourassa, Lorraine Desmarais, and Mark Jordan, just to name a few!
The BIJF hopes to continue being there to encourage Torontonians, Canadians and visitors from abroad to reach out and enjoy Canadian and international talent and innovation, in musical sound. Rather than having Canadian talent first being recognized abroad before being accepted locally - the BIJF legitimizes local talent and provides a springboard for artists to catapult into the world music scene.
The Festival is steady but not stale - she doesn't pretend to be something she isn't. Her mission is to introduce its large and loyal audience to good, primarily Canadian jazz, in a non-exclusionary and culturally inclusive fashion.
She must be doing something right - because she's inspired a number of other newer music festivals to follow suit. Where other festivals may have trouble attracting an audience - this Festival could soon have trouble accommodating hers. 800,000 people and counting! This in itself is a milestone and a cause for celebration and continued support.
The Festival has a broad based and loyal constituency of jazz music lovers who clearly enjoy the programming and activities associated with the Festival. She will continue to be a free, open-air event committed to presenting quality jazz to all audiences, no matter what their economic status.
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