[6] Ticketed and free shows are held in various venues, including Confederation Park, Marion Dewar Plaza, the National Arts Centre and select local clubs.

[7][8] The festival was established in 1980 when local musicians Bob Misener, Tony Pope and Bill Shuttleworth came together to organize a weekend of jazz music in Major's Hill Park.

Since her arrival, management has worked alongside the board of directors and a supportive community to achieve a 300% increase in audience attendance.

[16] The festival has showcased numerous dynamic jazz artists on its stages, including Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock, Buddy Guy, The Roots, Earth, Wind & Fire, Salif Keita, Dave Brubeck, Mavis Staples, Roy Haynes, Toots Thielemans, Branford Marsalis, Béla Fleck, Kenny Werner, Stanley Jordan, Sonny Rollins, Terence Blanchard, Diana Krall, D.D.

In 2023, a two-day festival ran in February and featured performances by artists such as Sarah Neufield, Kenny Barron and Thus Owls.