2026 Ottawa Jazz Festival — Friday, June 19

Friday, June 19, 2026 Lineup

Daily lineup at Confederation Park. Headliner: BADBADNOTGOOD on OLG Main Stage.

OLG Main Stage (Confederation Park)

6:30 pm — Angelique Francis Band

June 19th Headliner Announcement & Day Passes Available Soon

• Angelique Francis – Lead Vocals, Bass, Harmonica, acoustic guitar
• Kharincia Francis- Saxophone, backing Vocals
• Kira Francis - Trombone, Backing vocals
• Kiran Francis – Drums and Backing Vocals
• Kayla Francis – Trumpet, backing Vocals, percussion
• Ed Lister – Keys and Trumpet
• Dave Williamson – lead Guitar

JUNO Award winner and multiple Canadian Blues award winning artist Angelique Francis and her Band, are versatile and exceptionally gifted musicians. These multi-talented, multi-instrumentalists have wowed audiences across the globe with their electrifying performances, instrumental abilities and powerful textured vocals. They are known for their eclectic mix of various musical genres including Blues, Soul, Folk, Americana, Jazz, Gospel and Rock. Their latest album “Not Defeated” features the phenomenal talents of Grammy Award winning Blues musicians Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, and Eric Gales. They have also shared the stage with renowned musicians; Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr, Joe Bonamassa, Keb’ Mo’, Tom Cochran, Marcus King and many more.

8:30 pm — BADBADNOTGOOD 🎤 headliner

• Chester Hansen - Bass
• Alexander Sowinski - Drums
• Leland Whitty - Guitar & Woodwinds
• Felix Fox-Pappas - Keys
• Juan Carlos Medrano Magallanes - Percussion
• Kaelin Murphy - Trumpet / synth

Toronto-based jazz ensemble BadBadNotGood make expansive music that straddles the line between '70s soul-jazz, alternative hip-hop, and experimental electronica. The musicians gained attention in the early 2010s playing jazz covers of tracks by the likes of and . BBNG (2011) and BBNG2 (2012), their first two records, further developed that approach with reinterpretations of songs by and as well as and . III (2014), their last fully instrumental LP for a decade, gave them their commercial breakthrough; it crowned Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and became the first of many BBNG projects nominated for Canada's Polaris Music Prize. The collaborative IV (2016) brought in guests ranging from frontman to saxophonist and marked the band's Canadian chart debut. Talk Memory (2021), their third straight number one on the Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, explored fusion, new age, and orchestral influences with string arrangements from . Their Instrumental sixth album, Mid Spiral (2024), originally issued as three themed digital EPs, resulted from a week of recordings with several auxiliary players. In addition to their own albums, BadBadNotGood have shared bills with the likes of rap legend (Sour Soul), post-hardcore group (New Heart Designs), and contemporary soul singer (Slow Burn). "Alien Love Call," off the collaboration, earned BBNG their first Grammy nomination (in the category of Best Remixed Recording).

Founded in 2010 by (keyboards and synthesizer), Chester Hansen (bass guitar), and Alexander Sowinski (drums), BadBadNotGood came together while the members were students at the Humber College jazz program in Toronto. Communing over their shared love of jazz and hip-hop, they composed a piece based upon the music of -- a performance they uploaded online. It attracted many views and was spotted by Tyler, The Creator from . In 2011, BadBadNotGood released their debut album, BBNG. It included covers of music by , , and and was recorded in just one three-hour session. Following the album's release, the trio recorded a live session with , opened for at the Nujazz Festival in their hometown of Toronto, and performed at 's worldwide awards.

Their second record, BBNG2, was released in 2012, this time recorded within a ten-hour slot and once again featuring original pieces as well as cover versions of music by , , and . In the same year, BBNG was the Coachella Festival's band in residence, playing six different sets, as well as the backing band for . BadBadNotGood were then drafted to be part of the production and musical composition team for the soundtrack of the film The Man with the Iron Fists. They did production work for and , as well as a remix on 's Key to the Kuffs.

The group's third record, III, was released in 2014 and included the singles "Hedron," "CS60," and "Can't Leave the Night." In February 2015, the group's collaboration with MC , titled Sour Soul, was released by . In early 2016, the trio became a quartet when joined on saxophone. BadBadNotGood's first album with , IV, appeared on the following July. The album featured guest appearances from ' ("Time Moves Slow"), producer ("Lavender"), and rapper ("Hyssop of Love"). IV debuted on the Billboard 200 and topped the Jazz Album chart. The group's contribution to the Late Night Tales mix series appeared in 2017. The following year, they collaborated with Sweden's on the single "Tried."

BadBadNotGood and collaborated on a cover of ' "Key to Love (Is Understanding)" in 2019. announced his departure from the band that October, though he continued working with the band as a contributing songwriter. BBNG and recorded a song called "The Chocolate Conquistadors" for the game Grand Theft Auto Online, and the track was released in December of 2020 -- several weeks after 's death, but before it was announced to the public. Talk Memory, the band's first album for , arrived in 2021, with guests including , , and . After releasing several remixes and collaborations with and , BBNG reworked three songs by on the 2023 EP New Heart Designs. The group then released "Sleeper," a single with previous collaborator , and saw the New Heart Designs highlight "Alien Love Call" nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Remixed Recording.

BBNG continued their collaborative, boundary-pushing ways in 2024. That April saw the release of Slow Burn, a haunting EP written and recorded with . Chester Hansen, Alexander Sowinski, and were augmented on that six-song set by their touring keyboardist Felix Fox-Pappas, who was also among the additional players who participated in the fertile one-week session that yielded the sixth BBNG full-length. Mid Spiral, the all-instrumental contents of which were dispersed throughout May as the digital EPs Mid Spiral: Chaos, Mid Spiral: Order, and Mid Spiral: Growth, arrived in combined physical form that October. In addition to Fox-Pappas, the set also featured additional layers from the likes of percussionist Juan Carlos Medrano, guitarist Tyler Lott, trumpeter Kaelin Murphy. ~ Paul Simpson & Andy Kellman, Rovi

Azrieli Studio (National Arts Centre)

7:00 pm — Becca Stevens Trio

Twice GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Becca Stevens has forged a unique career, blending pop, jazz, indie-rock, folk, and world music with her classical and Appalachian roots. Known for her versatile vocals and mastery of multiple string instruments, Stevens’ work transcends genres through intricate rhythms and harmonies.

Since founding the Becca Stevens Band in 2006, she has toured internationally and become a sought-after collaborator, working with David Crosby, Jacob Collier, Michael League of Snarky Puppy, and Taylor Eigsti. She’s also partnered with the Secret Trio and Attacca Quartet, earning a 2023 GRAMMY nomination with violist Nathan Schram. Her collaborations extend further, with artists like Brad Mehldau, Chris Thile, Laura Mvula, Michael McDonald, Antonio Sánchez, Gretchen Parlato, and Ambrose Akinmusire.

Her upcoming album, Maple to Paper (GroundUP, 2024), is a deeply personal work reflecting themes of grief and transcendence. Stripped to the essentials, the album showcases her guitar and vocal performance recorded live without overdubs, with mixing by longtime collaborator Nic Hard. The emotional force of Maple to Paper highlights her ability to connect deeply with listeners.

In Summer 2024, Stevens made her Broadway debut in ILLINOISE, a musical based on Sufjan Stevens’ Illinois. Currently, she is on tour, performing Maple to Paper across Asia, Europe, and the US, continuing her journey as a boundary-pushing artist and storyteller.

Elgin St. Stage (Confederation Park)

7:30 pm — Big Smoke Brass

Born on the streets of Toronto in 2017, Big Smoke Brass is a leading voice in the Canadian Brass landscape. With hundreds of performances under their belt, the band is equally comfortable on the streets, in clubs, at events, at festivals, or on the road. Their polished, high-energy sound is unmistakable and has captivated audiences all over - leading to numerous web and television appearances, shows alongside international artists, and a growing discography of original music and videos. The band maintains a busy performance schedule throughout the year, all while endeavouring to spread positivity and foster community with their listeners and the next generation of musicians.

10:30 pm — Larnell Lewis Band ft. Joy Lapps

• Larnell Lewis - drums
• Joy Lapps - steelpan
• Rob Christian - woodwinds
• Andrew McAnsh - trumpet
• Elmer Ferrer - guitar
• Jeremy Ledbetter - keyboards
• Rich Brown - electric bass
• Roshane Wright - percussion **

LARNELL LEWIS is a GRAMMY Award winning musician, composer, producer, and educator. Larnell has quickly established himself as one of the most diverse and in-demand drummers currently on the music scene. Along with his long-standing position on drums in Snarky Puppy, Larnell has led many highly successful groups of his own and toured the globe with some of the most well known names in music, including Quincy Jones, Etienne Charles, Laila Biali, Jeremy Ledbetter, Lalah Hathaway, and more.

Larnell’s immense talent, fierce creativity, and continually evolving musical style is what has kept him at the top of the list as a musical collaborator for artists across the globe. In March 2024, Larnell released his third album entitled ‘Slice of Life’ (Juno Nominated 2025) which is a snapshot of moments of learning and gratitude at his current stage of life as a father of three.

His vast talents, not just as a musician but as a producer also landed him the opportunity as Musical Director for a performance during the Toronto International Film Festival’s premiere of the critically-acclaimed documentary of Quincy Jones’, “QUINCY”, (directed by Rashida Jones & Al Hicks), where he led performances from the likes of Yebba Smith, Mark Ronson, and Chaka Khan.

Internationally lauded artist and composer Joy Lapps activates spaces for community building and creative expression. The award-winning instrumentalist of Antiguan and Barbudan descent treats the steelpan as a tool for engagement, anchoring her artistry in a profound, community-centered musical tradition. She aims to amplify women’s contributions in every facet of her work, giving nuanced attention to women of the steelband movement.

As a leader, Joy has appeared at music festivals and events across Canada, the United States and the Caribbean including Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Victoria, Edmonton, Halifax Jazz Festivals, Miami’s Ground Up Fest, Mundial and Folk Alliance.

At her core, Joy connects to music as participatory. When she isn’t creating or performing she works with educators to creatively engage students and meet curriculum goals through alternate and inclusive pathways. Joy supports arts educators and community organizations in creating steelpan programs and facilitates team building across multiple sectors through steelpan.

For information on Joy’s most recent releases Girl in The Yard and The Caribbean Christmas Mixtape Vol 1. and other upcoming events, follow Joy on social media at @JoyLappsMusic and visit her website www.joylapps.com.

Fourth Stage (National Arts Centre)

6:30 pm — GeminiCrab : Malika Tirolien & Caulder Nash

• Malika Tirolien - Vocals
• Caulder Nash - Keyboard
• Rémi Jean LeBlanc - Electric bass
• Ronny Desinor - Drums

“This is a labor of love, an unforgettable musical journey of HighSoul, R&B, and Jazz-Hip Hop”

With more than 2.3M views on Youtube and 300K listeners on Spotify, Grammy nominee vocalist/producer Malika Tirolien together with Montreal award winning keyboardist/producer Caulder Nash present their HighSoul duo GeminiCrab!

The music is a mix of R&B, Soul, jazz-Hip Hop The duo playfully reflect on several eras of music through catchy songs about love, adulting and Millennials’ realities.

Hailing from Guadeloupe, based in Montreal, Malika Tirolien has made a name for herself in the international music scene with her soulful voice and captivating stage presence. She has worked with many notable artists such as Grammy-nominated artist Snarky Puppy and Jacob Collier.

9:00 pm — Takuya Kuroda

• Takuya Kuroda - trumpet
• Craig Hill - saxophone
• Nicolas Hetko - piano
• Jonathan Smith - bass
• David Frazier - drums

Genres: jazz, funk, post-bop, neo-soul

RIYL: Makaya McCraven, Herbie Hancock, Kamasi Washington, Soulquarian collective, Night Music, Thundercat, Robert Glasper, Erykah Badu

Kobe-born, Brooklyn-based trumpeter Takuya Kuroda is dedicated, and his eighth studio record, Everyday (out Feb. 28, 2025) is proof of that. Since the release of his soulful seventh effort, 2022’s Midnight Crisp –– a record praised by PopMatters as a “future classic” –– Kuroda has not missed a beat. In his desire to achieve the “perfect blend of production and organic performance” the 45-year-old musician has continued to throw himself into his practice daily, nearly thirty years into his musical life. Everyday builds on and dives ever deeper into the hip hop and neo-soul elements of his previous work. It is a deliciously rhythmic enterprise and a triumph of genre-blending modern jazz. Kuroda’s playing is sure-footed and pure –– whether on the horn, synth, or Rhodes–– and he virtuosically dances among infectious rhythms of his own creation.

Kuroda’s twenty-one years in the United States have been fruitful. After studying composition at The New School, he threw himself into work, playing with DJ Premier’s Badder Band and Akoya Afrobeat and recording as a sideman and bandleader for records on the likes of Blue Note and Concord. But as Kuroda himself says,“the only way to make the music that I want to make is to work hard, every day.” And so we have Everyday, a title which reflects, as Kuroda puts it, “that simple message.”

There is a certain duality to the title that taps into something profound about this music. “Everyday” of course means both daily and commonplace. While Kuroda’s music is anything but average, there is something about the intrinsic and embedded nature of the day-to-day, the incidental rhythms of life, that is reflected and seductively expounded on here. Kuroda describes the process of recording Everyday like this: “Make tracks at home, bring them to the studio, add or replace sounds, invite musicians, repeat the process to polish the track –– as I hear it.”

There is both a no-nonsense work ethic here and also a sort of embeddedness, an everydayness, that Kuroda achieves through this practice which perhaps cannot be accessed if one simply waits to get to the studio to begin work. Kuroda builds, tweaks, plays and polishes until what’s coming through the speakers matches what’s been playing in his head everyday. This is exactly what ensures Kuroda’s skillful synthesis of influences which Dean Van Nguyen noted while reviewing 2020’s Fly Moon Die Soon for Pitchfork. One is left with that sense that Kuroda has been tapping it all out everywhere he goes, drumming his fingers on the diner counter, shuffling his feet along the pathway in the park, manifesting the rhythms of his mind. “Groove,” Kuroda says, “is the foundation for all the tracks on Everyday.”

And atop that strong foundation, brought to life by the energy of David Frazier’s drumming, Kuroda’s shimmering lyricism dances all over Everyday. His trumpet playing pops and weaves and rings on the title track and his melodies are, as he puts it, “singable” –– profoundly so on the album closer, “Curiosity,” on which Kuroda trades trumpet for flugelhorn. Before that, “Bad Bye” is a glittering and classic sounding neo soul effort, featuring a stunning performance from vocalist FiJa. It’s as though Kuroda plucked this track from a dream of Mama’s Gun –– but, unmistakably, it’s Kuroda’s dream and so the song is Kuroda’s, entirely. Likewise with “Iron Giraffe,” in which Kuroda makes space for tenor saxophonist Craig Hill to weave a contemporary reverie of Night Music.

Everyday is hyperaware of a panoply of old ideas and a pantheon of old gods but as Kuroda engages these tropes and personalities day in and day out, he turns it all around in a style that’s undeniably cool and personal. As Pitchfork put it, “Kuroda’s skill is not drawing influence from so many different forms, it’s radiating joy in doing so.” And as Kuroda puts it, “I’m still learning everyday and trying to express myself more clearly in the form of music that I love.” It’s this sterling dedication that makes Takuya Kuroda and Everyday anything but commonplace.