Ana Lía is a must-see for fans of spicy Latin Jazz pop fusion. A Dominican-Canadian, her charming, vibrant performances deliver an unmistakable experience for every audience. The singular blend of Rhythmic Dominican and Latin songs, jazz, pop, flamenco, and even hip-hop shape the way she crafts music today. Her bright, rich voice makes her music enjoyable beyond language. At this year's Markham Jazz Festival, Ana Lía will ignite the McKay Wine & Beer Garden stage with her energetic, flamenco-inspired performances. www.analiaofficial.com

There's plenty of Canadian music to savour at this year's Markham Jazz Festival, with Andrea Superstein giving us one of the best reasons why. Andrea has come all the way from Vancouver to present songs from her third album, "Oh Mother," which was nominated for the 2025 Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. Based on conversations with almost 100 mothers, the recording examines the challenges and joys of parenthood. Andrea, a vocalist, composer and arranger, has completed multiple tours across Canada. www.andreasuperstein.com

It's a big year for Caity Gyorgy (pronounced George). In March, she received her third Juno award, for her album "Hello! How Are You?" In April, she released "Asking For Trouble," featuring the music of Frank Loesser played with pianist Mark Limacher. And, on August 22, just after the Markham Jazz Festival ends, her next album will appear – "Caity Gyorgy with Strings: Arranged and Conducted by Mark Limacher." Calgary-born Caity composes songs in the style of the Great American Songbook. Come early for her show! www.caitygyorgy.com Presented by

Guitarist and composer David Occhipinti creates a unique blend of jazz and chamber music. The Toronto native, a recipient of multiple Juno nominations, will present new music from his forthcoming CD "Camera Lucida." The recording features Virginia MacDonald, clarinet; Aline Homzy, violin; Michael Davidson, vibraphone and Dan Fortin, bass. David has performed and toured across Canada, the U.S., Europe, and Japan. His compositions have been commissioned or recorded by a wide range of artists and featured on the CBC and BBC. www.davidocchipinti.com

For a jazz experience that is all about emotion, you’ll want to hear Dizzy & Fay. They are a songwriting duo based in Toronto featuring pianist Mark Lalama and vocalist Amanda Walther. They create jazz melodies that are fresh yet familiar, drawing listeners into their whimsical world. Their two albums have received extensive airplay. Singer Jill Barber says of them, “Dizzy and Fay’s skillfully crafted songs sound like timeless classics; their combined musicianship and vocal delivery are delightfully refreshing and pleasing to the ear!” www.dizzyandfay.com

British/Canadian double bassist, composer and arranger Duncan Hopkins can be heard on more than 50 albums, including seven recordings as a leader and several others as co-leader, as well as numerous television recordings. He has toured extensively throughout Canada, Great Britain, Europe, Brazil and the United States. His band includes guitarists Reg Schwager and Ted Quinlan along with drummer Ted Warren. They will feature songs from Duncan’s recording “Who Are You? The music of Kenny Wheeler.” www.duncanhopkins.com

Meditative, psychedelic and equally as introspective as it is energizing, Elisa’s music lures listeners into a trance, keeping them engaged with her charming off-the-cuff humour and banter. Elisa has been described as “a radical harpist, composer and interdisciplinary artist.” Her just-released “XIICC” recording features James Meger (Sick Boss), Dan Gaucher (Dan Mangan), with guests Anh Phung, Ted Crosby, and Trent Freeman (The Fretless). Find it on Spotify, YouTube and through her website. www.ElisaThorn.com

Jazz fans might never have seen this before – a trio with a cello! George Crotty collaborates with bassist Jonathan Chapman and percussionist Matias Recharte to create a unique musical brew. Since 2019, when they released their first of three albums, the trio has been touring in North America and Europe. They play modal jazz and draw on Arabic and Indian influences. Their latest album, released in June this year, is called “Heart Music” and is inspired by European jazz, Hindustani raga and contemporary chamber music. www.georgecrotty.com/trio

Irene Torres was born in Lima, Peru and moved to Canada with her family as refugees when she was six years old. Now a proud Canadian citizen, she is an established member of Toronto’s diverse music scene. Her evocative solo album, “Travesía,” explores narratives of journeys to home, identify and belonging. Irene started the original blues and soul group Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils, has toured with Battle of Santiago, and is featured in Jaymz Bee’s Music for Secret Agents project. www.irenetorres.com

Play it loud! That's what Jay Douglas loves to do. After a lifetime of struggle, the charismatic singer has earned his reputation as a key figure in the history of Caribbean and Canadian music. The recent TVO documentary "Play It Loud! How Toronto Got Soul" tells Jay's story, and his latest album "Confession" is a testament to his connection with blues and jazz. Jay will be joined in performance by his long-time band, the All-Stars. He likes to share the stage with the best. www.jaydouglasmusic.com

When is a bass guitar more than a bass guitar? When it’s in the hands of Josh Cohen. Josh has the ability to create the sound of an entire band with just one instrument. He can play melody, chords, bass lines and percussion all at once. He holds a master of arts in music composition from York University and a bachelor of music from Humber College. His Toronto-based group, Josh Cohen Quintet, will play songs from their forthcoming debut jazz-fusion album, “We Are Home.” www.themusicofjoshcohen.com

Kae Murphy is a non-binary trumpet player and multi-instrumentalist originally from Owen Sound and now based in Toronto. They have toured across North America and Europe with a variety of bands. Kai received the Toronto Arts Foundation Emerging Jazz Artist Award of 2023. Concerning jazz, Kae says: “There doesn't have to be any limit on any aspect of improvisation, meaning that one can be free to explore and push further in any aspect within the music. This inspires me on a daily basis.” soundcloud.com/kaelin-murphy1834

Trombonist Karl Silveira has multiple musical identities. He is a composer, bandleader, jazz freelancer and teacher. He leads several bands in Toronto and is a member of half a dozen others. He frequently plays in musical theatre orchestras and is a trombone instructor at St. Michael's College School. Karl is well known for his album “A Porta Aperta,” which has received widespread radio play. Dan McClenaghan, writing for the website All About Jazz, called the album “a superbly played jazz sound coming out of Toronto.” www.karlsilveira.com

Pianist Kate Wyatt has been a mainstay of the Montréal jazz scene for more than 20 years. This year she has been touring British Columbia with quartet and trio performances that have garnered positive reviews as much for her sunny personality as for the music. Kate’s compositions and playing style, as displayed on her album “Artifact,” have been highly praised. Reviewer Saku Mantere, writing on the Bandcamp website, described Kate’s playing as: “Playful, contemplative, probing, intense, passionate; all contained in a deep pocket.” www.katewyattpiano.com

Lauren Bush has built a career that spans the Atlantic Ocean. The Canadian-born, London-based singer enhances traditional jazz with contemporary flair through her enchanting delivery. Lauren’s third album, “Tide Rise,” had its debut at the iconic Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club. In recent months, Lauren has toured the U.K., Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, as well as Western Canada. Her quartet features Liam Dunachie on piano, Dave Manington on bass and David Ingamells on drums. www.laurenbushjazz.com

Looking for the full entertainment experience at MJF? Come to hear the Lester McLean Band, a high-energy Toronto group of musicians who have mastered styles as diverse as fusion, funk, R&B and reggae. Lester is a versatile multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter who moves seamlessly from smooth to dynamic. Featured with him will be nine-time Juno nominee (and former artistic director of the Markham Jazz Festival) Michael Occhipinti on guitar and vocals, Nikku Nayar on bass guitar and Mark McLean on drums. www.grooveyardmusic.ca

Hailing from St. Thomas, Ontario, Sam Taylor has been performing blues and soul music as a singer, guitarist and songwriter internationally since the age of seven. He has released two extended-play albums and is working on a full-length original blues album. Reviewing a show by the Little Magic Sam Band, Ken Wallis of The Sound Café said, “His stage presence kept the audience captivated and it didn't hurt that he had a rockin’ harp player along with him.” www.littlemagicsam.com

Electric bass player Marc Decho, in the words of saxophonist Jane Bunnett, is “one of the best bassists you will find anywhere!” His second album, “Forget the World,” was released in June this year, featuring Afro-Cuban jazz combined with experimental electronic music. Montreal-born Marc composed all the tracks, to be performed at Unionville with keyboardist James Hill and percussionist Marito Marques. Marc leads multiple groups and is a longstanding member of the Latin jazz orchestra led by Cuban pianist Miguel de Armas. www.marcdecho.bandcamp.com

Maya Killtron creates music that is fun and makes you want to dance. Her songs, full of infectious grooves, blend jazz with funk and R&B. She has released two albums and has toured around the world. Beyond her singing, Maya is a violinist, producer and arranger. She also is a co-founder of Bowed Arts, a performance collective and string school committed to fostering accessibility and equity in music education and performance. www.mayakilltron.com

Mexico, with its historic contributions to jazz, deserves representation at any jazz festival. Percussionist Michel DeQuevedo is the jubilant flag-bearer this year. Born in Mexico City, Michael came to Canada in 2005 and now resides in Hamilton. Through his original music, a unique Afro-Latin pop-rock mix, Michel shares stories and experiences that create an uplifting listening experience. His album “Michelada” was released in 2024 and is available on SoundCloud. www.micheldequevedo.com

“I tell people about Ukraine through music,” Natasia Y says. She is a Ukrainian-born global fusion artist inspired by the multicultural city of Toronto, which she now calls home. Nastasia wrote and released her first album in 2013 (under the name Stacey Y) after completing her jazz piano degree at Humber College. She fuses funk, R&B, electro and jazz with Slavic folk music. Now the singer and keyboardist has released Kyiv Soul, exploring themes of ancestral magic, love and resistance. www.nastasiay.com

While jazz is a universal language, it can sometimes sound like Norwegian. At least it does when the Oddgeir Berg Trio takes the stage. This Oslo-based piano trio has been touring the world since the release in 2024 of its fifth album, "A Place Called Home." It is a concept album about the magic of nature, the spaces hidden in memory and the bonds that family provides. Berg's compositions are inspired by the tiny island of Rolla, population 900, where his father was born. www.oddgeirbergtrio.com

Trumpeter Rachel Therrien plays jazz that is not for sitting down. With her Latin Jazz Project, she performs a festive repertoire featuring original works and Afro-Latin jazz classics. A native of Rimouski, Quebec, Rachel has released eight albums since 2011. She draws from a wide range of influences across North and South America, the Caribbean and Europe. “Jazz is a philosophy of conversation between musicians from different backgrounds through improvisation,” she says. “And it is our mission to keep that spirit alive for future generations.” www.racheltherrien.com

Guitar virtuoso Rob Tardik is a regular contributor to the smooth jazz world. His 10 recordings since 2020 have spawned six U.S Billboard charting singles, two of which went to the top 10 on U.S contemporary jazz radio. His last release, “Diversity,” is a four-volume compilation in various musical styles. A new album, “Perspective,” was released digitally in May. Rob and his band of Toronto-based musicians will feature songs from the album in their performance, designed to bring the audience to their feet. www.robtardik.com

Wild stage antics are not the only reason the Shuffle Demons have been jazz stars for 40 years. All their stunts are backed up by high-quality professional playing. Their style is on display in their 10th album, "Are You Really Real," which was released this year. Shuffle Demons have won several music awards, done numerous TV and radio appearances and have toured nationally and internationally, including 25 cross-Canada tours. Expect lively romps in the crowd, free jazz moments, danceable funk, poetry, ground-breaking solos and more. www.shuffledemons.com

Jazz fans who come to see The Vaudevillian will enjoy not just a performance but a learning experience. Ever play a washboard? Or musical spoons? Well, Jitterbug James and Norah Spades, collectively known as The Vaudevillian for the past 15 years, will teach you during their performance/workshop. And while they’re at it, they will sing you some foot-stomping ragtime and dance numbers from the 1930s prohibition period. This vintage duo delivers high-energy jug band music with infectious charm. www.thevaudevillianmusic.com

Jazz began on street corners, and some bands still like it there. One of them is Turbo Street Funk. This exuberant quintet, formed on the streets of Toronto by university students in 2011, has a performance style rooted in the New Orleans horn band tradition. They combine top 40 hits with original numbers composed by guitarist and vocalist Casey Van. After hundreds of performances in North America and Europe, the band has gained a reputation for bringing audiences to their feet. www.turbostreetfunk.com

Members of Waleed Kush Afro-Jazz refer to their music as a healing art form, and to themselves as “humanity practitioners.” This Toronto-based quintet is fronted by Waleed Abdulhamid, a Sudanese multi-instrumentalist, composer and vocalist. His compositions blend African rhythms with contemporary jazz harmonies, embracing a spirit of exploration, inclusivity and accessibility. Performances are not just a show but an invitation to join a shared musical journey. They are characterized by energetic rhythms, soulful melodies and intricate harmonies. www.waleedkush.ca

Whitney Ross-Barris is spirited and funny onstage, maybe even a bit distracted. She describes her life in Uxbridge as “trying to keep up with her three adorable hellions while balancing a late-night life in the arts.” Whitney has released three albums and plans a fourth later in 2025. In addition to her career as a jazz singer and composer, Whitney has acted professionally for almost 25 years. This background in theatre gives her an engaging and fearless approach to every jazz performance. www.whitneyrb.com

CHOICES, a group that combines analog and digital aspects of music making, is the latest project of Juno-winning trombonist and composer William Carn. He is a faculty member at the University of Toronto Jazz Studies program who has performed and taught internationally. He calls CHOICES a “project of reflection.” It began in 2020 during the pandemic as a recording that was created remotely by William and five other jazz musicians in Toronto, including members of the ensemble Turboprop. www.williamcarn.com