The Beaches International Jazz Festival takes great pride in the fact that it has become the biggest FREE jazz and contemporary music event in Canada.  So who are we and why do we need your support?

The Beaches International Jazz Festival is run as a registered non-profit organization.  Its revenue stream relies entirely on corporate sponsorship, government grants, local business support and individual donations.  All concerts and related activities are free and open to the general public.

Exposure for Canadian performing artists and their music is an important component of the Festival’s programming vision.  Canadian artists generally represent over 90% of the Festival’s programming.  The Festival has a significant impact on the lives of many musicians who have participated in the event.  A quick review of any festival program from years gone by shows names of performers who have gone on to become established award winning artists both on the Canadian and international jazz music scene.  In addition to receiving an appearance fee at the Festival, all participating artists are encouraged to sell their CDs at the Festival.  The BIJF does not take a percentage of these sales proceeds.

The 10-day music festival is held each year in the lakeside “Beach” community of Toronto in the month of July.  The Festival takes place across a number of venues.  Stage concerts are held in several different parks within the area and also along a 2 kilometre stretch of the Beach mainstreet, Queen Street East.  Every year, the Festival brings in internationally acclaimed jazz performers while also showcasing local talent, including “new generation” jazz musicians.  In total, the Festival is now hiring around 1000 artists per year.

The Festival holds a Workshop Series which varies each year and is programmed to appeal to both professional musicians and to the general jazz loving public.  The Festival also sponsors a “Jazz in Motion” Juried Photography Exhibition.  BIJF garners a lot of community support because of the community events that it enables.  These include: a “Jazz-Up Your Windows” contest for local retailers and multiple fundraising opportunities for local charities such as the “Beaches Jazz Tune-Up Run” on behalf of the Beach Rotary Club (1,000 participants in 2010).  What makes the Festival unique is its longevity, its grass-roots ambience, the fact that its totally free and accessible to a wide spectrum of people (locals and visitors alike); and the scope, magnitude and dynamic nature of its programming (over 1,000 hours of live programming per season).  The Festival attracts around one million attendees per year.  The BIJF injects over $30 million into the Greater Toronto Area’s economy.

Consider becoming a Friend of the Festival. With a contribution of $100 or more, you will will receive the following in appreciation of your generous support:

BIJF Mailing Address Become a Friend c/o Beaches International Jazz Festival Society 1798 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4L 1G8