Cape Breton Jazz Fest 2023

About the festival

The 10th annual Cape Breton Jazz Festival takes place from June 9 2023 to June 17 2023 in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, bringing together for performances some of Canada’s top jazz players.

All tickets, except for the Jazz Vocal Workshop, can be purchased by visiting or phoning Daniels Alehouse at 902-562-8586. Tickets for the Jazz Vocal Workshop can be obtained by phoning Carl Getto at 902-565-1092.

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Upcoming Schedule

Friday, June 9th

Doris Mason Quartet
6:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Daniels Alehouse, Sydney

Cover: $40

Doris Mason performed to a packed house six years ago at the Cape Breton Jazz Festival. This show has been touted as one of the most entertaining shows in the Jazz Festival’s 10 year history. On this return engagement, Doris brings her entertaining vocal and piano style to Sydney with her Halifax based quartet.

Opening Act: Carl Getto Jazz Band: Swingers and Singers

Late Night Jazz Jam
9:30 pm - 12:30 am
Hearthstone Inn Pub, Kings Road, Sydney

Cover: Free

Jazz Players and Fans Welcome.

Friday, June 16th

Barbra Lica Quartet
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Daniels Alehouse, Sydney

Cover: $40

Barbra Lica has been called one of the top five Canada’s top jazz vocalists by CBC Radio. In 2013 Barbra was first runner-up in the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Voice Competition. Based in Toronto, Barbra plays regularly with many of Canada’s top jazz musicians, including members of her own quartet which she will bring from Toronto to Sydney.

Opening Act: Joe Waye Trio 

Late Night Jazz Jam
9:30 pm - 12:30 am
Hearthstone Inn Pub, Kings Road, Sydney

Cover: Free

Jazz Players and Fans Welcome.

Saturday, June 17th

Vocal Jazz Workshop with Barbra Lica
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Hearthstone Inn, Kings Road, Sydney

Cover: $50

The Barbra Lica Quintet will workshop select songs/arrangements submitted in advance by workshop participants. Together we will bring your song selections to life with a real-life quartet (piano, bass, guitar and drums), fine-tuning melodies, chords, and lyrics while searching for optimal tempo, key, and instrumental parts. Our group will highlight elements of contemporary song structures and examine effective use of re-harmonization, ostinato patterns, and repetition. This workshop is a unique opportunity for new and established performers and/or songwriters to emulate the pre-production process and receive feedback from a professional recording musician. Appropriate for high school and post-secondary level students as well as adults with basic music/composition/arranging experience. Jazz standards and original compositions both welcome!

Sunday, June 18th

Cape Breton Jazz Blitz
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Daniels Alehouse, Sydney

Cover: $20

This special Sunday outdoor show will give many of local jazz players an opportunity to perform at the Festival. Be sure to take in this show if you want to see an eclectic show of various performers and groups.

Guests: Jon Hines, Joe Waye, Marcel Aucoin, Red Mike MacDonald, Johnny Hawkins, Ron Leadbeater, Ian Aker, Doug Johnson, Ron Lafitte, Carl Getto, and others.

Friday, June 23rd

SheJamBlues
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Daniels Alehouse, Sydney

Cover: $40

She Jam Blues is an all-female seven member jazz band based in Halifax, and consists of some of the top jazz performers in eastern Canada. Krisanne Crowell, vocalist and saxophonist, has put together this eclectic band of female performers, some who have been featured players for decades along with others who are beginning to make an impression on the east coast jazz scene. Be prepared for lots of vocals and standout instrumental performances. 

Opening Act: Carl Getto Jazz Band: Swingers and Singers

Late Night Jazz Jam
9:30 pm - 12:30 am
Hearthstone Inn Pub, Kings Road, Sydney

Cover: Free

Join us after the earlier evening’s main show for the popular late night jazz jam from 9:30 pm to 12:30 at the Hearthstone Inn Pub on Kings Rd. in Sydney. No cover charge. All jazz players and all jazz fans welcome to drop by to participate and enjoy the evening. For further information on the late night jazz jam contact Carl at 902-565-1092.


Performing Musicians

Doris Mason

Doris Mason

Performances:
Friday, June 9th

Barbra Lica

Barbra Lica

Visit Website

Performances:
Friday, June 16th 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Saturday, June 17th 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

SheJamBlues

SheJamBlues

Visit Website

Performances:
Friday, June 23rd

Carl Getto Jazz Band: Swingers and Singers

Carl Getto Jazz Band: Swingers and Singers

Performances:
Friday, June 9th 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Sunday, June 18th 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday, June 23rd 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Joe Waye Trio

Joe Waye Trio

Performances:
Friday, June 16th 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sunday, June 18th 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Jon Hines

Jon Hines

Performances:
Sunday, June 18th 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Marcel Aucoin

Marcel Aucoin

Performances:
Sunday, June 18th 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Red Mike MacDonald

Red Mike MacDonald

Performances:
Sunday, June 18th 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Johnny Hawkins

Johnny Hawkins

Performances:
Sunday, June 18th 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Ron Leadbeater

Ron Leadbeater

Performances:
Sunday, June 18th 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Ian Aker

Ian Aker

Performances:
Sunday, June 18th 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Doug Johnson

Doug Johnson

Performances:
Sunday, June 18th 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Ron Lafitte

Ron Lafitte

Performances:
Sunday, June 18th 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm


Our Sponsors

The support of sponsors is essential to the Festival's success. We encourages partnerships with local sponsors.