Niagara Jazz Festival Announces their 12th Annual

Talent Shines Bright in Celebration of Black History Month! Niagara Jazz Festival Announces Thrilling Performances for the Month of February

Featuring soulful jazz & blues vocalist Sammy Jackson with guitarist Tom Fleming on Sunday, February 15 — and — Velvet Frequencies with Special Guest, Leroy Emmanuel of LMT on Friday, February 20.

Join us in Solidarity and Celebration!

There is no way to underestimate or minimize the massive social, artistic, philosophical and spiritual contributions of African Canadian/African Americans and other peoples of the African Diaspora, brought to the world at large through the horrors of slavery. During this month of February, known throughout the globe as Black History Month, the Niagara Jazz Festival will celebrate and honour these incredible contributions by presenting exciting performances from artists that represent the wide pallet of diversity within Afro-Centric arts, culture, and music.

“Black History Month is a time to honour the roots of jazz and the Black artists whose creativity shaped this music into a powerful force for story-telling and connection,” said Juliet Dunn, Executive and Artistic Director & Co-Creator of the Niagara Jazz Festival. “Welcoming both Sammy Jackson and Velvet Frequencies to our stage allows us to not only celebrate that legacy, but to serve our community by creating space for reflection, joy, and shared cultural experience. These performances are about remembering where the music comes from and insuring that it continues to inspire future generations”.

Sammy Jackson is a soulful Canadian jazz vocalist and composer who effortlessly blends elements of jazz, rhythm and blues, and pop. She is a JUNO winner of the 2021 “Vocal Jazz Album of the Year” Award for her recording, With You, and is a familiar face at Jazz Festivals and prominent venues and concert halls. Sammy will be taking the stage alongside gifted guitarist Tom Fleming. Sammy Jackson will be appearing at a secret “Pop-Up Location” on Sunday, February 15, 2026 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The Music Charge for this performance will be $33.00 plus HST.

Velvet Frequencies with Special Guest, iconic guitarist/vocalist Leroy Emmanuel (of LMT) is a brand-new ensemble that embraces the timeless pulse of Black music across the decades, enhanced by bold, new, original, and intimate sounds. Rooted in soul, rhythm and blues and enhanced by a big dose of unlimited creative freedom, this ensemble brings to life their mission statement, “OUR STRUGGLES, OUR STORIES, OUR MUSIC”.

Be ready for some funky dives into the group’s vision, including the unique fusion of neo-soul, hip-hop, jazz and spoken rhythm into a sound that honours the legacy of the past, while still moving into our shared future.  

Velvet Frequencies with Special Guest Leroy Emmanuel will be appearing on Friday, February 20th , 2026 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM (performance begins at 7:00 PM) at The Hare Wine Co. at 769 Niagara Stone Road at Niagara-on-the-Lake. Tickets for this performance will be $39.00 Plus HST. Food will be available on-site for an additional cost, and parking is free.

The Niagara Jazz Festival will be providing a comprehensive programme that will outline the Niagara region’s deep connection with peoples of African descent, as well as the evolution of Afro-Centric music to the present time – from the early 1900’s (Blues and Spiritual Roots music); the 1940’s and 1950’s (the era of Jazz and Soul foundations); the 1960’s (the emergence of Motown, Afro-Centric pop music and the emergence of Black Pride as well as protest music); the 1970s (funk, expanded consciousness, liberation and dance music); the 1980’s (Hip-Hop and contemporary R&B); and the 1990’s, which brought neo-soul that was rooted, reflective, and intentional.

A music that spoke to identity, love, and community – all integral and time-less aspects of Black music in all of its forms. The 2000’s through to 2010 saw Black music continue to evolve and promote truth. Artists blended genres while standing boldly against injustice. This era really began to balance vulnerability with strength, and the music morphed into both a mirror and a movement.

Tim Johnson, interim chair of the Niagara Jazz Festival Board of Directors has expressed his excitement about this year’s Black History Month programs. “We draw strength and inspiration from sincere and honourable collaboration among peoples from different backgrounds all around the world,” he said. “There is no finer example, of course, than the evolution of popular music genres advanced by Black musicians. And when further presented through Juliet Dunn’s poignant curation and highly refined selection of great artists, the Niagara Jazz Festival consistently produces transcendent and moving concert experiences. Come and share the good vibes!”