Kingston Jazz Society Inc.

The Kingston Jazz Society Inc. is a Canadian nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to promoting jazz music in the Kingston, Ontario community. Incorporated under the business registration number 887416790RR0001, the society focuses on the preservation, production, performance, promotion, and perpetuation of jazz, a genre deeply rooted in North American musical tradition.

Mission and Mandate

The Kingston Jazz Society’s mission centers on presenting live professional jazz performances with a particular emphasis on young and emerging Canadian jazz musicians. Through these events, the society aims to educate audiences about jazz and foster its importance as a vital component of the local music scene. The organization strives to rekindle a sense of community and the social aspect of music by bringing together jazz enthusiasts and artists alike.

Historical Context and Community Role

Jazz in Kingston has a rich heritage dating back to the post-World War II era, notably the big-band period when Kingston was home to the Canadian Forces Vimy Band, a prestigious military orchestra with a global presence. Many members of the Vimy Band also played jazz locally in bars and restaurants, blending with local musicians to create spontaneous and high-quality jazz sessions. This vibrant fusion of talent laid the foundation for what eventually evolved into the Kingston Jazz Society.

Although the Vimy Band has since relocated, the spirit and vigor of the local jazz scene continue strongly through the society’s efforts. Kingston Jazz Society serves as a hub that helps bring jazz to Kingston audiences while simultaneously showcasing Kingston’s jazz scene to the broader jazz community.

Activities and Impact

The society organizes live jazz concerts, festivals, and music experiences, prioritizing access to professional-level jazz performances. By supporting emerging Canadian talent, the Kingston Jazz Society nurtures the next generation of jazz artists while celebrating the genre's diversity and innovation.

Through its activities, the Kingston Jazz Society contributes significantly to Kingston’s cultural landscape, offering both residents and visitors rich opportunities to engage with jazz music. The organization maintains a commitment to fostering jazz appreciation and sustaining the genre’s legacy within the community.

The Kingston Jazz Society remains a vital institution for jazz lovers in Kingston and beyond, dedicated to nurturing and sustaining jazz as an art form that continues to evolve and inspire.