SASKATOON — Saskatchewan artists will be front and centre in the 2026 SaskTel Free Program at the TD Sask Jazz Festival, which organizers say reflects the depth and diversity of the province’s music scene.
The Jazzfest’s free program will run from July 5-11, featuring numerous performers, from indie and folk to hip-hop, jazz, and reggae, all at venues across Saskatoon.
Jazzfest executive director Shannon Josdal said they are thrilled to work with partners, such as SaskTel, that have supported them for nearly three decades, and she hopes to continue working with them.
“A very warm welcome to SaskTel as our new sponsor of the free program. This year’s SaskTel Free Program features entirely Saskatchewan artists. It’s really important to us as an organization to highlight the incredible talent we have here in this province, because we truly have a lot of wonderful artists,” said Josdal
Free programming will be staged at multiple locations, including Victoria Park, where several performances and community events will take place throughout the week. Additional shows will be held at the Maurice Drouin Lounge and through the SaskTel Neighbourhood Pop-Up Series in various parts of the city.
She added that having a free program this year represents jazz in all its diverse forms, as they aim to make the genre accessible to all music fans in Saskatchewan.
Organizers say the diversity of genres is intentional, reflecting both the evolution of jazz and the broader musical landscape in Saskatchewan. More than half of the festival’s programming is jazz-focused, but the free program explores how jazz intersects with other styles.
Among the featured acts are indie folk duo The North Sound and singer-songwriter Raven Reid, both known for blending prairie influences with contemporary sounds. Larger ensemble performances include the Footnotes Big Band and the Saskatoon Youth Jazz Orchestra, offering audiences traditional big-band and youth-jazz experiences.
The lineup will also feature roots and alternative country with acts like The Whiskey Jerks, while Charly Hustle, Parab Poet and The Hip Hop Hippies bring hip-hop and spoken word into the festival’s mix. Indie and experimental sounds are represented by groups like Dump Babes and Rooky Kamiz, showcasing the breadth of emerging talent in the province.
Jazz remains a cornerstone of the programming, with performers like the Rochelle Wright Trio contributing to the festival’s core sound, alongside genre-blending artists such as Patrick Moon Bird. International influences will also be reflected through performers like Itohan Agbator and the Oral Fuentes Reggae Band, adding global flair to a locally rooted lineup.
The festival will host two SaskJazz Jam sessions, inviting musicians of all ages and skill levels to collaborate with experienced players in an open, improvisational setting. The sessions are a longstanding feature of the festival and serve as a development opportunity for local talent.
Additionally, Yoga in the Park, presented by Ground Yoga, will take place at Victoria Park and feature four one-hour yoga sessions on select festival days.
