Dear Friends,
We are thrilled to share that the first-ever Cambridge Jazz Festival, held on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Tapestry Hall in the Gaslight District, was a resounding success! We exceeded our goal with over 500 tickets sold and the venue was alive with the vibrant sounds of jazz and the enthusiastic energy of our attendees.
The festival featured an exceptional lineup of talent:
Tim Louis Sextet: Kicked off the afternoon with interpretive jazz melodies.
Red Hot Ramble: Brought the spirit of New Orleans to Cambridge.
Heather Bambrick: JUNO-nominated vocalist who also served as our charming MC, provided lots of laughter.
Pretzel Logic: Headlined the evening with a spot-on tribute to Steely Dan.
The community's support was overwhelming, and the atmosphere was electric. CTV News captured the essence of the day in their coverage:
Finger snaps and toe taps fill Cambridge hall during inaugural jazz festival
The rave reviews for Tapestry Hall were unanimous - attendees praised its stunning blend of historical charm and modern elegance, ideal acoustics, and perfect atmosphere for live jazz.
Many guests commented that it was "the perfect venue" and "an incredible place to experience music."
Thanks to our small but dedicated festival committee and our amazing volunteers whose dedication, enthusiasm, and hard work helped make this event possible. Your contribution was invaluable, and we are deeply grateful. And special thanks to my organizing partner, Dan Clements, whose input and talents proved to be the key to our success.
We also extend our deepest appreciation to our generous donors, whose support provided a solid financial base and enabled the success of this inaugural festival. Your commitment and generosity have helped set a strong foundation for future events.
We are also proud to announce that our community commitment has resulted in a significant $5,000 donation to the Cambridge Food Bank from the proceeds of this event.
As the organizer, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, performed, and supported the festival. Your enthusiasm and love for jazz made this event truly special.
Be sure to check out some great photos from the day at www.cambridgejazzfestival.ca.
We also invite you to join us at Galt Jazz, our popular monthly jazz event, with our first outdoor show of the season happening right on Main Street, Sunday, May 25, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. This month’s performer is the fabulous Tia Brazda featuring a superb backup band. It's free, it's fun and it’s patio season with another wonderful opportunity to experience great jazz in the heart of Cambridge! For more details, visit www.galtjazz.com.
Warm regards,
Dave Ottenbrite
Organizer, Cambridge Jazz Festival
