It’s All About Variety at the 2023 TD Markham Jazz Festival!
Check Out Our Potent Mix of Musical Offerings and Mark Your Schedules Accordingly
TD Markham Jazz Festival Artistic Director Ernesto Cervini has made sure that there’s something for everyone in this year’s 26th edition of the highly acclaimed festival.
And All Performances are FREE!
In addition to our headline performers, including a mix of Grammy and JUNO winners, we have a packed schedule of 25 amazing musical treats for you to choose from!
Just a small sampling of the variety available to you.
John Finley
 Check out John Finley on Saturday, August 19th at 6:30pm, at the McKay Wine and Beer Garden stage. John lives to sing, write and perform. With his potent soul style, John and band Jon & Lee & the Checkmates opened twice for the Rolling Stones in Toronto. John has penned songs for Three Dog Night, Ivan Neville and Melissa Manchester, and has performed in-studio with Michael MacDonald, Donna Summers, and many others.
His recent recording, “John Finley, Soul Singer” received rave reviews from Ronnie Hawkins, Kurt Elling and Paul Shafer.
His extraordinary soulful style has been a testament to his musical life and career.
Chris Antonik
 Born and raised in Markham, three-time Maple Blues Award nominated, blues-rock guitarist, singer/songwriter Chris Antonik has been wowing international audiences with his incendiary blues-rock guitar playing and innovative songwriting. He transcends expectations and limitations of the genre.
Chris has toured Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. extensively. His guitar style has been compared to BB King, Eric Clapton, and Carlos Santana.
In 2023, Chris was nominated for three U.S. based Independent Blues Music Awards, including Best Blues Rock Album, Best Blues Rock Artist, and Best Blues Rock Song.
Catch him Sunday, August 20th at 4:30pm at the McKay Wine and Beer garden stage.
The Jive Bombers, Featuring Special Guest Vocalist Johnny Max
 With a reputation for lively, toe-tapping jazz and a bluesy edge, this high-energy band and its “little big band” format explores the history of jazz and blues, focusing on Swing, Boogie-Woogie, and vintage R&B. Jiving and swinging in and around Toronto for over 40 years, band members have performed throughout Canada and abroad with a variety of renowned artists.
Mixed with lots of humour and good-natured kidding around, their shows are always loads of fun for everyone!
See their exciting performance at 1:00pm on Saturday, August 19th on the Millennium Bandstand Stage, hosted by Jaymz Bee.
Shannon Chapman
 Shannon Chapman is a singer, instrumentalist, and producer raised in Manitoba and currently based in Toronto. Shannon’s brand of Neo-soul balances personal, introspective topics with fun, feel-good jams. Lush harmony, slinky woodwinds and head-bobbing grooves support her soaring vocal melodies.
Fiercely independent, she is a sole creator, writing and producing her own music. In spring 2020, she released her EP “Ebb and Flow” and began rollout of her second project, “Playing Games” in 2022.
Hear her unique sound on Saturday, August 19th at 12:30pm at the McKay Wine and Beer Garden Stage.
Worst Pop Band Ever
 With influences ranging from Miles Davis to The Carpenters to J Dilla, the Worst Pop Band Ever musicians combine their love of improvisation with modern pop influences and a mish-mash of electro-acoustic sounds, receiving critical acclaim. WBPE has been featured in films for the National Film Board and the CBC, playing festivals across Canada and abroad while individual members have worked with numerous JUNO and Grammy- nominated artists from Blue Rodeo to Holly Cole.
They’ll bring their musical stylings to The McKay Wine and Beer Garden Stage on Sunday, August 20th at 2:30pm.
Keep Your Schedule Open for the TD Markham Jazz Festival Hot Spots!
Watch for next week’s e-Newsletter where we discuss our Pre-Festival and Festival “Hot Spots”.
Our festival HotSpots are bars and restaurants in Markham that will feature live jazz performances before or during the festival. First up will be The Rouge River Brewing Company on Sunday, August 13, followed by Laz Authentic Cuisine on Thursday August 17, and then Jakes, The Unionville Arms, and the Duchess of Markham on jazz festival weekend.
Watch for more details regarding times and artists in next week’s newsletter!
Check our full lineup of performances and starting times by visiting our website:
www.markhamjazzfestival.com
- FREE shuttle service to and from the site - no worrying about parking
- Enjoy Markham’s historic main Street Unionville and the excellent selection of bars, restaurants and one-of-a-kind shops, plus unique festival vendors
Volunteers!
TDMJF welcomes those who would like to help make this great event happen. If you’d like to become involved with our excellent group of volunteers, email us at:
contactus@markhamjazzfestival.com
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The TD Markham Jazz Festival is a not-for-profit organization with a mandate to enrich cultural life in the region by bringing emerging and established jazz artists to Markham for all to enjoy. Established in 1998, the festival draws more than 25,000 residents and visitors to the streets of Unionville during the third weekend in August. Local and international artists deliver over 30 open-air performances during the weekend as well as in selected “hot spots” and at a ticketed opening-night concert. During the year, the festival hosts “Hot Spot Concerts” at selected venues in Markham. TD Canada Trust became its title sponsor in 2014.
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