THE IDEA FOR THE FESTIVAL

The idea for Brantford International Jazz Festival originated in 2006 when local jazz musician Frank DiFelice heard of the revitalization plans for the Downtown core in Brantford and the plans for a plaza style town square with a built in amphitheatre. What a perfect venue this could be for a jazz festival. Having produced a successful jazz series – Brantford Downtown Jazz – for the previous 10 years. It seemed the perfect segue. And so with his partner and wife – jazz vocalist Nancy DiFelice and fellow jazz enthusiast – Peter MacNames , the Brantford International Jazz Festival Inc. was created as a not-for-profit corporation in March of 2008.

The Brantford International Jazz Festival has grown to be one of the largest and musically diverse festivals in the Brantford and Brant County region attracting upward of 28,000 people. It has gained a solid reputation for its top quality presentations and as an organization in very short time span.