T.U. Jazz Fest 2026

Start: Friday, September 4, 2026 5:00PM
End: Sunday, September 6, 2026 10:00PM

Canada's largest jazz festival dedicated to emerging artists, T.U. Jazz Fest (TUJF), returns to Mel Lastman Square from September 4–6, 2026 for its 12th annual edition. Presented by the Emerging Artists Association (EAA), the free, family-friendly festival will transform the heart of North York into a three-day celebration of jazz, artist development, cultural diversity, and community connection. The 2026 festival will feature more than 130 musicians from across Canada and abroad, including award-winning and internationally recognized artists from Canada, the United States, and Romania. Festival highlights include Grammy Award-winning producer, bassist, and educator Justin Gray, who will lead the festival's featured masterclass and perform as a special guest artist. Audiences will also enjoy performances by Grammy and JUNO Award-nominated keyboardist Jonny Tobin, award-winning vocalist Julia D'Ascanio, DownBeat Student Music Award recipient Sarah Leroux, award-winning bassist and composer Josh Warren, and many of Canada's most promising emerging jazz artists. TUJF2026 will also welcome Amphitrio, an internationally acclaimed contemporary jazz trio from Romania. Recognized with multiple international jazz awards and praised as one of the leading voices of Romania's new jazz generation, Amphitrio will appear as the festival's 2026 Band of the Year. The festival will feature two outdoor stages, free live music throughout Labour Day Weekend, a professional development masterclass at North York Central Library Auditorium,. Festival programming combines professional showcase opportunities with mentorship, learning, and networking experiences designed to support the next generation of musicians. Festival programming is scheduled across the weekend, with Main Stage performances on Friday from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Long & McQuade Stage will operate Friday 4 - 7 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A free public masterclass will take place on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at North York Central Library Auditorium. "TUJF is designed as a bridge between emerging artists, mentors, industry leaders, and the community," says David M.J. Lee, Executive Director of Emerging Artists Association and Artistic Director of T.U. Jazz Fest. "By creating paid performance, learning, and networking opportunities for the next generation of musicians while presenting internationally recognized artists and educators, we are investing in the future of Canadian music and keeping these experiences accessible to audiences across Ontario." Founded in 2015, T.U. Jazz Fest was established to recognize and promote the work of emerging musicians while creating meaningful pathways toward sustainable careers in music. Through paid performances, workshops, mentorship, professional networking, and audience development opportunities, the festival continues to support artists at critical stages of their artistic growth. Presented by the Emerging Artists Association (EAA), a federally incorporated non-profit organization, T.U. Jazz Fest reflects EAA's mission to create developmental and continuing opportunities for emerging artists, promote the work of young professional musicians, facilitate the experience and dissemination of jazz in its current form, and raise awareness of the cultural significance, artistry, and diversity of jazz. The 12th annual T.U. Jazz Fest runs September 4–6, 2026 at Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge Street, Toronto. Admission is free. For festival updates, artist announcements, and full programming details, visit www.tujazz.com.