Jazz Residency + Performance
A new collaborative partnership with the Canadian Music Centre Ontario Region is bringing a Music Residency for Jazz and Jazz-Adjacent artists. The week-long residency offers space, artists fees, and will finish with a performance at the Orillia Opera House on Friday October 16th, 2026. Simcoe/ Muskoka musicians are welcome to find out more information and apply.
Youth Creative Workshop + Performance
Are you interested in Jazz and Jazz-Adjacent music composition and performance? Apply to AO’s new Jazz Festival opportunity for students, Gr. 10-12 happening this summer/fall 2026!
Four students will be selected for a week-long intensive workshop, July 13th - 17th, 2026. The creative process features individual and collaborative composition sessions and creative mentorship from Alondra Vega, Jacob Thompson, Cole Mendeze. Students will continue to work on their pieces throughout the summer and into the Arts Orillia Jazz Festival with mentorship support. Applicants must be available for the entire rehearsal period and final performances Friday October 16th, and Sunday October 18th, 2026. More information and application below:
An honorarium of $500 will be given to each student for their time and commitment.
Friday Night Show
- A night of creativity and mentorship
Orillia Opera House - Studio Theatre / Oct. 16, 2026 / 7pm
Featuring Jazz Artists-in-Residency and Youth Performers
Don’t miss these home grown additions to Canada’s Jazz repertoire. AO and Canadian Music Centre proudly present the 2026 Arts Orillia Jazz Festival Artist-In-Residency program. Featuring the work of our guest regional Jazz pros and an original composition developed by Orillia high school students during AO’s youth Jazz workshop with Alondra Vega, Cole Mendez and Jacob Thompson.
Saturday Night Show
- Jane Bunnett and Maqueque
Orillia Opera House / Oct. 17th, 2026 / 7pm
A truly incredible night featuring five time JUNO award winner Jane Bunnett and powerhouse Maqueque, an all Cuban female band bending intricate Afro-cuban rhythms with contemporary Jazz. This one will have you dancing in your seat from the first notes!
Sunday Jazz Service
St. Paul's Church / Oct. 18th, 2026 / Music at 10:15am
In collaboration with St. Paul’s Music Director Dan, AO is bringing back the Sunday Jazz Service with Orillia’s own Jacob Thompson and Cole Mendez. Curated by the artists themselves, the service will also include an original composition from Orillia’s high school students!
Artist Bios
Jane Bunnett
Producer and Artist Representative, Céline Peterson, works with some of the most exciting internationally acclaimed jazz artists on the scene today, including JUNO Award winners Caity Gyorgy, Jim Doxas, and Robi Botos, acclaimed vocalist Paul Marinaro, tap dancing storyteller Travis Knights, Canada's beloved songstress Jackie Richardson, Member to the Order of Canada, Dr. Dave Young, pianist Ben Paterson, and the Doxas Brothers. Also an experienced producer, Céline’s live event credits include Jazz at Lincoln Center, Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts, Massey Hall, and nearly eight years as a producer of Toronto’s Kensington Market Jazz Festival.
Maqueque
Multiple JUNO award winner Mike Downes has been a prominent fixture both within the Canadian music scene and abroad, praised for his limitless versatility, seemingly effortless technique and uniquely melodic approach to the bass. Mike is not only an award-winning jazz bassist, but is recognized as a complete musician, equally masterful as a composer, arranger and educator.
Mike has performed worldwide for over 4 decades with virtually all of Canada's top jazz musicians, including Officer of the Order of Canada Molly Johnson (as musical director), PJ Perry, Lorne Lofsky, Don Thompson, Kirk MacDonald, Robi Botos and Pat LaBarbera. He has performed with international artists Pat Metheny, Chris Potter, Michael Brecker, John Abercrombie, Peter Erskine, Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Dave Liebman and many others. Mike’s extensive and award-winning discography includes 8 albums as a leader, over 70 albums as a side musician and even more as a composer, arranger and producer.
Cole Mendez
Cole Mendez is a Muskoka-based keyboardist with more than 15 years of professional performance experience. As a founding member of The Free Label, he has performed original music on major festival and concert stages worldwide. His playing draws on jazz, soul, and contemporary music, with a strong improvisational voice and compelling live presence.
Jacob Thompson
Jacob Thompson is a jazz pianist, keyboardist and keytarist based in Toronto.
He plays with The Free Label, and leads his own trio and quartet.
He’s opened for T-Pain, Mono Neon, and Seamus Blake, and performed with Jerry Bergonzi, Mike Murley, Diego Figuredo, Norma Winstone, Ralph Alessi and Dave Liebman.