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About

The Festi Jazz international de Rimouski

A longstanding history

Founded by a passionate group in 1986, the Festi Jazz international de Rimouski welcomed huge names of the jazz industry since 37 years, as Stéphane Grappelli, Wayne Shorter, and Dizzy Gillespie to only name those. Since its birth, the event brings approximately 30 000 festival-goers each year in its flamboyant and maritime ambiance where the proximity between the artists and the audience makes the success of this flagship event in the Est du Québec. The festival has earned numerous regional and national distinctions in the culture and tourism community. Thanks to its success in its early years, the event forged itself a great reputation both in Quebec and in the world, which enabled it to takes place as the second most imposrtant event in its genre in the entire province. The support of the cultural, municipal and touristic environments through this warm festival never ceases to grow. A group of volunteer music lovers support the Festi Jazz year after year, some of them supporting the festivities since no less than 25 years. The different initiatives of the organisation grew as time passed, which permited to gift the festival with brand new colors and success oriented by Quebec's jazz environment succession and radiance. Based on strong values such as proximity, accessibility, quality and collaboration developments, new international orientations guided changes like smaller show series and venues, an artistic direction centred around jazz music and ts affiliated genres, the integration of professionnal jazz players from overseas, and the accompaniment of groups from Vitrine sur la relève of the Jazz à Viennes festival (France) and the Jazz à Verviers festival (Belgique). This emphasis on emerging artists became an important lever, for Quebec's jazz in general and for the Festi Jazz, which knows since a few years now a florishing development period on the international plan as we've never seen before. The interest of medias towards the Festi Jazz and its performing artists testifies of its established quality, as articles about the festival were recently published in prestigious magazines such as Japan's Jazz Perspective and USA's famous Downbeat Magazine. (paragraphe) Through this huge artistic and organisational journey, the Festi Jazz remains a big music festival, which can congratulate oneself for achieving a tour de force by presenting high level jazz music outside of major urban centers since now more than 37 years.

Earlier editions

Festi Jazz

Team

Discover who’s hiding behind the curtains

Wether it's the work team, the management board or the volunteer team, numerous are those who unable the Festi Jazz to be a success year after year ; discover the team that works behind the scenes of the event.

Recognition

Awards and

distinctions

Since more than 37 years, the Festi Jazz never ceases to outstand itself by its quality in the Bas-Saint-Laurent district and in the province of Quebec. Discover our recognitions of excellence.

Cultural company of the year award

2017

Senate of Canada 150th Anniversary Medal

2017

Opus Prize - Concert of the Year - Regions

2016

Rimouski Cultural Award - Event of the Year

2014

Arts Awards - Business

2014

Festival and Tourism Event Award - Winner BSL - budget under $1M

2006

Coup d'Éclat Award (Website category - Budget over $500,000)

2004

Tourism Event Award (budget $500,000 or more)

1998

Cultural Award (Event) - Awarded by : Le Gala de l'Entreprise - Conseil de la culture du Bas-Saint-Laurent

1996

Tourism event Award of the Bas-Saint-Laurent - Awarded by : Les Grands Prix du tourisme québécois

1996

Special mention from the jury for its international involvement (Twinning with Vienne in France) - Awarded by : Les Grands Prix du tourisme québécois

1994

RIDEAU Award, organization category - Awarded by RIDEAU, on the proposal of ROSEQ

1988

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Jazz Patronage

Find out more

Since April 2014, Festi Jazz has given individuals and organizations the opportunity to join its exclusive jazz patronage program. Members of this elite club contribute financially to cultivate jazz music in Rimouski. Unlike sponsors seeking visibility in exchange for their donation, jazz patrons are proud to be associated with the cause for more altruistic reasons.

Festi Jazz

Sustainable development

Our environmental initiatives

Since the last editions, the Festi Jazz commits to make the festival green and environmentally friendly through various ecological directions, like by favoriting reusable cups and containers, compostable latrines, or by offering a majority of local products. Discover our environmental initiatives.