Elizabeth Shepherd and Michael Occhipinti perform at the Esplanade Terrace on Wednesday, June 22. (Screengrab from YouTube/Medicine Hat JazzFest)

By Chris Brown

Great week so far for JazzFest, more to come

Jun 24, 2022 | 9:56 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – We’re halfway through the first full Medicine Hat JazzFest since 2019 and Lyle Rebbeck says it’s been an amazing week and it’s not over yet.

“We’ve had such a great week at JazzFest the weather has co-operated so far and people have really just rejoiced in the festival coming back,” says the executive and artistic director. “You just see in people’s faces their joy in being back together and seeing friends that maybe you haven’t seen for a long time.”

JazzFest was cancelled and 2020 and scaled back last year due to the pandemic and public health measures.

This year, all shows are taking place outside with the Esplanade Terrace serving as the main stage. Rebbeck says when planning for this year they asked their audience which venues they’d feel comfortable in and the terrace was a high priority. This is the first time they’ve used the terrace this heavily and Rebbeck says the response has been positive.

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“We’ve been asking people do you want to go back down to the studio theatre or do you want to stay up here and overwhelmingly the response has been let’s stay up here. It’s like a New York City jazz club with the beautiful river valley, the sunset, the clouds and sky. So it’s been quite magical.”

Shows and workshops are also taking place around the city.

This weekend’s shows include Sanah Kadoura Duality on Friday at the terrace and the Calgary Latin Orchestra at the popular airport hangar show on Saturday.

JazzFest ends Sunday evening with a performance by Medicine Hat’s Ciara Hager and her Ciara Hager Quintet.

For the full schedule, ticket information and more visit medicinehatjazzfest.com.