Jazz Fest has been integral to Toronto's music scene since 1987. Drawing in large crowds, bringing world-renowned artists to Toronto stages, and providing free concerts for the community.

Jazz fest has made many feats in its years, from having opened their doors to 12 million music-goers, over 35,000+ artists – 85 per cent of whom were Canadian have been apart of their events, they've held over 3,400+ free public events, and much more. 

The question at hand - have they been able to stay true to the essence of Jazz or as their festival gains more traction, have they lost their way? 

Jazz can be heard everywhere you go, in restaurants, in subway stations as you walk from Line 1 to Line 2, and probably in the elevator of your apartment building. 

Jazz has always been a large part of my life, not only is it a genre that I enjoy leisurely, but as a dancer, it has been implemented into my weekly training from a young age. 

When I was 4 years old we were dancing to the likes of Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, and J.J. Johnson. As I got older, changed, and evolved, so did jazz - now we dance to contemporary and new wave jazz artists like BADBADNOTGOOD, Hiatus Kyote, and Thundercat. 

The question that remains is - are these musicians truly considered jazz musicians?

"The nature of jazz as a genre of music is that it's ever evolving. From its core jazz is built around improvisation," Says Ernesto Alonso, local Toronto musician, as he stands in the audience excitedly awaiting for headliner Yussef Dayes to make his way to the stage.

"When people say it's 'Not really' Jazz fest anymore, I don't think that's valid," adds Alonso. 

"Jazz Fest is such an integral part of the Toronto music scene. Not only do we have Humber College where artists like BADBADNOTGOOD have emerged from and have been able to perform as their headliners, but they highlight smaller up and coming artists on such a grand scale."

On June 27th, the seventh day of Jazz Fest's 10 day long festival, I made my way up the steps of the Masonic Temple, home to The Concert Hall. This is an iconic venue where artists such as David Bowie, Chuck Berry, Queen Latifah, and many others have performed. 

As the double doors to the entrance swung open,  staff members with 'Crew' and 'Volunteer' printed in big bold letters across the back of their shirts could be seen bustling to get things ready for the night's headliner Yussef Dayes. 

Josh Grossman is the Artistic Director of Toronto downtown Jazz, producers of the TD Toronto Jazz Festival. No Stranger to jazz music himself since graduating from the University of Toronto's Jazz performance program he's been in the position of Artistic Director for 14 years. 

Jazz Fest, as described by Grossman is "A celebration of what jazz sounds like, in the moment of when Jazz Fest is happening." He goes on to explain that in the past acts like Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald easily crossed over into the mainstream world, but as jazz evolves its creators evolve with it. 

Jazz now sits under a wider umbrella.  Pulling inspiration from multiple music genres, it envelopes different sounds, textures, and cultures, to make a beautiful orchestra of music that puts a whole new meaning to the jazz genre.

"I'd say Jazz Fest is not only about the music but the exposure," says Joshua Napal, a musician and server at a local Jazz bar in the city. "They offer a wide range of musicians from all ove the world, while also highlighting artists from Toronto."

Through Jazz Fest's ticketed and free concerts it offers accessibility to anyone and everyone. You can be walking through the city and stumble upon a show that's happening which could change the trajectory of your day.

You find a new artist you enjoy, hear a new instrument that scratches the right part of your brain, or gain the need to want to learn more. 

Grossman and his team work together to curate a festival that not only celebrates wonders and accessibility of jazz music, but of the wonders and accessibility of Toronto as a whole. 

As you take the 7 minute walk from one free show to the next maybe you discover a new food spot, maybe another show that generates a different vibe then the last introducing you to a whole new kind of jazz sound, or simply to enjoy what you came there to do, listen to jazz. 

"Jazz music is multi-dimensional," Alonso says shrugging, "it can't be defined by one thing or another, it's going to constantly fluctuate and Jazz Fest fluctuates with it, it has to or it wouldn't be staying true to jazz music in the current moment."

Jazz fest strives to celebrate everything that is jazz and jazz related.  It becomes a musical scavenger hunt that allows you to explore the city of Toronto through a different lens.

Just as jazz as genre is based on adventure and discovery through it's inherent ways of improvisation and ever-changing nature, Jazz Fest itself marries those values by applying them to their festival as well. 

My Jazz Fest journey ended with Yussef Dayes. When you looked around the room not a phone could be seen lifted throughout the crowd. Heads were bopping, people were crammed against the barricade trying to get a closer look at the artist's drum set, and smiles were seen all around. 

"Jazz music brings community," says Grossman, "without community there would be no jazz."

As the show ended cheers filled the room and exclamations of amazement for what had just been witnessed could be heard throughout the venue. 

"That was the best show I've ever been to, a dream on my bucket list checked off," said Alonso with a sigh of gratitude. 

As I exit the venue I come to understand what Grossman expressed. Through time music will change, jazz will fall victim to that, but what doesn't change is the joy, community, and artistry that comes from the genre.

As the genre continues to grow, Jazz Fest grows with it with the goal of keeping the jazz community alive. 

If you missed out on Jazz Fest this year, I highly suggest you take the time next year to see a few of the wonderful musicians who keep the jazz community alive and thriving through a festival that honours Toronto for exactly what it is, community.