Established in 1987, Toronto Downtown Jazz exists to promote the art of jazz and engage a diverse public through an internationally-renowned organization devoted to year round activities and initiatives.

Our largest event each season is the Toronto Jazz Festival, which, over the past 37 years, has become known as one of North America’s premier jazz festivals. What began in 1987 as an eight day showcase of jazz now attracts in excess of 500,000 loyal patrons annually over 10 days as more than 1,500 musicians entertain all across the city.

The Festival has become a destination event, not just for music lovers but for some of the greatest jazz celebrities in the world, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in artistic excellence and outstanding production standards. Its continued success and growth is a testament to its strong relationships with its stakeholders including patrons, Toronto City Council, Members of Parliament, corporate sponsors, volunteers, private donors and all levels of government. The Toronto Jazz Festival is endorsed by Toronto City Council, international artists and has been designated as an event of municipal significance that enhances Canada’s international reputation.

Since 1987, Toronto Downtown Jazz has:

• Presented over 35,000 artists, 85% of whom were Canadian
• Presented over 3,400 free public events
• Contributed over $580 million to the GTA economy
• Been blessed with over 71,000 hours contributed by volunteers
• Welcomed 12 million people to the Festival