Written by Chris Maskell
When you think of Ottawa, the first thing that comes to mind is not a 24-hour party.
In a history-making move, the Ottawa Jazz Festival has scheduled a series of non-stop concerts to take place between Tuesday, June 14, at 10 a.m. and Wednesday, June 15, at 10 a.m. to get fans primed for the festival later this month. The "24-Hour Jazz Ramble" will take place at The Record Centre, a popular destination for vinyl-record hunters in the city.
As an extra draw, the festival has issued a special challenge to whichever jazz fan can remain at the event the longest. Whoever attains the title of "last fan standing" will win a free gold pass to the festival, as well as some extra goodies. Other prizes (including festival concert tickets) can also be won over the course of the jazz marathon, and the festival's bronze pass will be available at a $50 discount between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
For those interested in joining in on the experience, we've compiled the Ramble's schedule below.
Tuesday, June 14
10 a.m.: Adam Saikaley
11 a.m.: The Chocolate Hot Pockets
12 p.m.: Tim Bedner, Mark Alcorn and Marilee Townsend
1 p.m.: Michel Delage and Steve Boudreau
2 p.m.: Michel Delage and Alex Bilodeau
3 p.m.: Michel Delage, Lucas Haneman and Dave Schroeder
4 p.m.: Christine Fagan Group
5 p.m.: The Steve Berndt Group
6 p.m.: Rob Frayne’s Drum Swamp
7 p.m.: Peter Hum with Charles Gordon and John Geggie
8 p.m.: Roddy Ellias with John Geggie and Petr Cancura
9 p.m.: Pierre Chretien’s Atlantis Jazz Ensemble
10 p.m.: Ed Lister, Marc Decho, Ben di Millo and Stephen Adubofuor
11 p.m.: Petr Cancura’s Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang!
Wednesday, June 15
12 a.m.: Alex Moxon
1 a.m.: Linsey Wellman
2 a.m.: Andrew LaPorte-Ferderber
3 a.m.: Sean Duhaime Trio
4 a.m.: Julian Selody: Sax & Sruti
5 a.m.: The Julian Calendars: Julian Selody and JM Francheteau
6 a.m.: Bumpin’ Binary: Mike Essoudry and Don Cummings
7 a.m.: Mélanie and Keith Hartshorn-Walton: “Tuba & Voice”
8 a.m.: TBA
9 a.m.: Megan Jerome
The Ottawa Jazz Festival will take place between June 22 and July 3, 2016.