JazzInToronto, the not-for-profit dedicated to promoting local artists, today announced the return of its Community Celebration, taking place May 29, 30 and 31, 2026 across landmark venues in the downtown core. Produced by acclaimed musicians Lina Welch and Ori Dagan and supported in part by a grant from the Toronto Arts Council, the festival spans three distinct neighbourhoods — St. Lawrence Market, Yorkville, and Yonge & Dundas — and features a curated lineup that moves from swing and bebop to funk, soul and beyond.
“We are really thrilled with the lineup this year,” said Ori Dagan, Artistic Director of JazzInToronto. “Besides booking exciting talent from rising stars to Grammy winners, we strive to be as diverse as possible, because that’s what makes Toronto unique. And of course, our hope is to connect audiences to their new favourite artists who just happen to live in their own backyard.”
The festival opens Friday, May 29 with free concerts on Market Street presented by St. Lawrence Market District. Rising star trumpeter Atcheleh Aryee leads her sextet at 12pm, followed at 5pm by “Canada’s Sweetheart of Swing” Alex Pangman alongside Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist Drew Jurecka and guitar virtuoso Nathan Hiltz. The evening continues at TD Music Hall with the debut performance of all-female party band GRACE at 8pm, with indie powerhouse Jennarie opening, and closes at Jazz Bistro with a late-night tap and jazz jam hosted by Indigenous (Nehiyaw) dancer Johnathan Morin at 11:30pm.
Saturday, May 30 brings one of the festival’s most anticipated events: a tribute to neo-soul pioneer D’Angelo, conceived and led by acclaimed pianist Michael Shand. The evening performance at TD Music Hall features an all-star seven-piece band and four vocalists. Earlier that day, Grammy winner Kae Murphy presents a tribute to trumpet legend Freddie Hubbard at The Pilot in Yorkville at 2pm. Piano enthusiasts are invited to an intimate recital series at Liss Gallery (112 Cumberland Street), with performances by award-winning artists Adrean Farrugia (May 30, 12pm) and Danae Olano (May 30, 4pm) — each limited to just 25 attendees, with an acoustic piano provided by Yamaha Canada.
The celebration continues Sunday, May 31 with Hilario Duran and Thompson Egbo-Egbo at Liss Gallery, a masterclass in solo guitar performance led by Nathan Hiltz at The Rex Hotel at 11:30am — free to students of On the Off Beat Music School — and a 2pm tribute to torch singer Julie London performed by JUNO-nominated rising star Ale Nunez at The Pilot. The festival concludes with a one-night-only reunion at the Allied Music Centre Theatre: five-time JUNO Award winner Jane Bunnett, Order of Canada member Reg Schwager, and living legend Neil Swainson — together on a Toronto stage for the first time in decades.
Tickets and full festival information are available at www.jazzintoronto.ca.