The TD Niagara Jazz Festival has been a staple in Niagara-on-the-Lake for a decade and it is no stranger to accolades.

After winning Festivals and Events Ontario awards in 2017, 2019 and 2020 for best new festival and top 100 festivals respectively, it has made into the top 100 yet again.

It’s one of six festivals across Niagara that were honoured.

Juliet Dunn, co-creator of the TD Niagara Jazz Festival, said that among all the festivals across Ontario, it is always an honour to be recognized.

“I mean there’s the Peach Festival, the Garlic Festival. Of course, there’s Boots and Hearts, which is a country festival. There’s a festival for everything and that’s really cool and fun.”

Dunn said passion has always been the main driving force behind the event.

“My late husband Peter (Shea) and I are both musicians. Our festival was built from the ground up.”

“I wasn’t hired to work for the festival or anything. We actually created it from thin air, so it’s really a passion project.”

“We do a lot of events during the year, which keeps the art form of jazz alive here in Niagara,” she said.

There are jazz events each month around the region, primarily in NOTL or St. Catharines, leading up to the pivotal summer festival, including the upcoming spring fundraiser on May 6 at Hare Wine Co. in NOTL.

“And every year, of course, we do something to celebrate International Jazz Day, which is on April 30,” said Dunn. 

This year, the jazz day celebration is also at Hare Wine Co.  

The summer festival, which runs from July 15 to 23, will feature a double-bill at Jackson-Triggs winery.