Our Story

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Born and raised in Kensington Market, singer-songwriter and philanthropist Molly Johnson O.C., had been dreaming of this festival for years. On September 16th, 2016, her dream came true. Together, with her founding team members Ori Dagan and Genevieve Marentette, Producer Céline Peterson, members of the Kensington Market community and countless volunteers, KMJF was born! 

Kensington Market Jazz Festival is proud to showcase hundreds of established musicians on the Toronto jazz scene, in one of the city's most vibrant neighbourhoods, in the heart of Toronto's heritage district. Over the last four years, KMJF has presented hundreds of concerts featuring hundreds of Toronto’s jazz musicians, in over 25 venues and with the help of over 150 volunteers. Heading into the sixth year of KMJF (NOVEMBER 6TH, 7TH, & 8TH, 2021) the KMJF Team are looking forward to broadcasting their second virtual edition of KMJF, featuring some of Canada's finest musical talents. The 2021 Virtual KMJF marks return of our beloved Tom's Place Solo Piano Series as well as the inaugural KMJF Talks Series. Tune in right here on KensingtonJazz.com!

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Under the Kensington Market Jazz umbrella, there have been many other projects that have come to life in the last three years, including a winter and spring series in the market, two live recordings, and in April 2018, KMJF Kids Music was launched in partnership with the festival's patron saint, Tom Mihalik of Tom's Place, Yamaha Canada Music Ltd., Discovery Through The Arts, Youth Arcade Studio, and St. Stephen's Community Centre. KMJF has received financial support from the City of Toronto, Ontario Arts Council, alongside continued support from Slaight Music and other private donors.

The Kensington Market Jazz Festival is proud to be an artist-driven, volunteer-fuelled festival that has been met with overwhelming support. KMJF wishes to honour the history in the market and strives to ensure that our vision remains in-tune with that of the neighbourhood. We look forward to presenting more music in 2020. This year’s festival will be presented online and we invite you to join in the excitement. Please subscribe to our newsletter, join us on social media @kensingtonjazz and donate if you can. 

3 DAYS OF TORONTO JAZZ IN THE HERITAGE NEIGHBOURHOOD KENSINGTON MARKET

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#KMJF2020  @kensingtonjazz

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