On Saturday, June 21, 2025, the stage at Confederation Park will ignite with rhythm, soul, and storytelling as Odyssey Showcase brings its acclaimed production Tribute to Jazz: From Africa to New Orleans to the True North Strong and Free to the 45th anniversary of the Ottawa Jazz Festival. This performance is more than a concert—it’s a transformative experience that threads together history, identity, and artistry with brilliance.

A Living Legacy of Jazz, Culture, and Community

At the heart of Odyssey Showcase is Artistic Director and Producer Deborah Davis, whose visionary leadership has made the company a cornerstone of Ottawa’s cultural landscape since 2000. Davis’s production seamlessly weaves music, dance, spoken word, and visuals into a deeply educational and emotionally resonant tribute to jazz’s global roots and its Canadian evolution.

This year’s presentation at OIJF is a continuation of Davis’s longstanding commitment to elevating untold stories through performance. It features a cast of exceptional talent that includes world-class musicians, vocalists, dancers, and storytellers—all united in the spirit of jazz and unity.

Meet the Ensemble: A Constellation of Jazz Talent

Peter Beaudoin, Musical Director, veteran drummer and touring musician with the Canadian Forces and global acts like Petula Clark and Rob McConnell, returns as the ensemble’s rhythmic backbone.

Peter Brown, Co-Musical Director and pianist, brings decades of jazz and blues mastery, including performances with legends like Mick Taylor and Dutch Mason. His nuanced playing anchors the production’s musical landscape.

Martin Newman on bass, Gino Scaffidi on guitar and Arien Villegas on congas offer virtuosity that spans musical genres and decades, from the percussion & Jazz beats of Havana to Broadway shows and Royal performances.

A true highlight is Samuel Cousineau, an Ottawa-born saxophonist with global credentials including the One O’Clock Lab Band and advanced studies at the University of Toronto. His expressive playing embodies the soul of jazz improvisation.

Deborah Davis herself, alongside Michael Hanna, Michael Anthony Hanna (Myk’l), and Emmanuel Simon, forms a vocal powerhouse that bridges gospel, jazz, and soul. Their combined histories include performances at Carnegie Hall, international tours, and legacies linked to jazz royalty like Sir Roland Hanna.

Dance, Spoken Word, and the Power of Movement

Odyssey Showcase doesn’t stop at music—it extends into movement and message. Darin Kyle, World Tap Dance Champion, returns to the stage with choreography that commands and captivates. He’s joined by long-time collaborator like Bernadette Gardener, whose performances bring kinetic joy to life.

Adding a contemporary poetic lens is JustJamaal ThePoet (Jamaal Amir Akbari), former Ottawa Poet Laureate and award-winning artist whose words elevate the experience into a reflective journey of identity and empowerment.

A Must-See Celebration of Canadian Jazz Excellence

As part of this year’s prestigious Ottawa Jazz Festival lineup—which includes musical icons like Mavis Staples—Odyssey Showcase’s performance promises to be a shining moment of the season. It is a celebration of jazz not just as music, but as resistance, resilience, and reconnection.

Odyssey Showcase reminds us that jazz is more than a genre—it is a living, evolving story that pulses through the veins of generations, cultures, and communities. Join them on June 21st and become part of that rhythm.

  For tickets and full festival details, visit ottawajazzfestival.com.
  Learn more about Odyssey Showcase at odysseyshowcase.org.