Major festival brings free performances to many Toronto venues this summer

The city's music scene is set to shine with the return of JazzInToronto, offering a curated weekend of performances at various downtown venues next month.

Described by organizers as a "grassroots" event, the festival is all about shining a spotlight on local talent. For its second year, JazzInToronto brings Grammy- and Juno Award-winning artists alongside rising stars to the city.

"We are really thrilled with the lineup this year," Ori Dagan, artistic director, JazzInToronto, says in a news release about the event. "Besides booking exciting talent from rising stars to Grammy winners, we strive to be as diverse as possible," he continues, explaining that this is what makes the city exceptionally unique.

Dagan goes on to say that, "our hope is to connect audiences to their new favourite artists who just happen to live in their own backyard." 

The itinerary seems stacked, and music lovers can look forward to three days worth of performances.

The weekend kicks off May 29 with free programming at St. Lawrence Market , including a swing set by Alex Pangman and featuring Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist Drew Jurecka.

On May 30, Grammy-winning vocalist Kae Murphy pays tribute to jazz trumpet legend Freddie Hubbard at The Pilot, while Yorkville's Liss Gallery hosts a series of intimate piano concerts with award-winning pianists like Adrean Farrugia and Hilario Duran.

But things get better.

The finale is one to watch out for because JazzInToronto will be drawing the curtains with a rare performance on May 31. Audiences can enjoy a special performance from three Canadian jazz heavyweights: five-time Juno Award winner Jane Bunnett, Order of Canada guitarist Reg Schwager, and bassist Neil Swainson, all reuniting on stafe for the first time in decades.

JazzInToronto will take place from May 29 to 31, with events spanning neighbourhoods like Yorkville, Yonge-Dundas, and St. Lawrence, with venues including TD Music Hall, Allied Music Center, and small maintsays such as The Rex Hotel, Jazz Bistro, and Emmet Ray. 

Tickets for various shows are now available directly on the event's official website.