Toronto's acclaimed Kensington Market Jazz Festival has been presenting live musical excellence since 2016. This artist-driven and volunteer-fuelled festival has showcased more than 500 Canadian artists since it's inception. Founder and Artistic Director Molly Johnson O.C., dreamt of an artist-run festival in the diverse and culturally rich neighbourhood of Kensington Market, and together with her team have presented six years of 3-day festivals, with fully attended shows (over 4,000 patrons each year),engaged audiences, delighted performers (over 400 musicians), with a solid team of volunteers (over 120 individuals) and community partners.

In 2020 and 2021, Team KMJF presented two virtual festivals, which gave audiences around the world the opportunity to not only be treated to performances from some of Canada's exceptional talent in music, but to be introduced to the historic Kensington Market neighbourhood and some of the independent businesses that were working tirelessly to keep their doors open through a devastating global pandemic. Team KMJF (with the support of the Kensington Market BIA) put together individual vignettes that featured businesses and business owners, highlighted ways that viewers could support, and showcased the individuality that is so beloved by those who frequent Kensington Market. 

Now back for their 7th year and the first in-person festival since 2019, Team KMJF is hard at work planning their return to live music. This artist-run and volunteer-fuelled festival relies heavily on the support of donors and partners.