National Jazz Presenters Network Announces New Board President and Appoints Executive Director

Jazz Festivals Canada members have elected Catherine O'Grady, Executive Producer of the Ottawa International Jazz Festival, to serve as the association's President. Dr. Julie Smith, Director of Education and Outreach and Community Programs for the Vancouver International Jazz Festival will serve as Vice President and co-chair.

Robert Kerr has stepped down after an outstanding eight year term as President due to his recent appointment as Program Director for the 2010 Vancouver Olympiad. Jazz Festivals Canada would like to thank Robert for the exceptional leadership, commitment and dedication that he has brought to the Jazz Festivals Canada network and the national jazz presenting community at large over the past 20 years.

Rainbow Robert has been appointed as the Executive Director of the Organization after a successful three year term as Network Manager. Rainbow Robert oversees the day to day operations of the organization and facilitates networking, block booking and ofessional development sessions.

Jazz Festivals Canada is a not-for profit national arts service organization with a mandate to represent the interests of and act as advocate for the development of Canadian jazz festivals and jazz presenters.

Members include Atlantic Jazz Festival - Halifax, C-Jazz Calgary, Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville, Guelph Jazz Festival, Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival - Fredericton, JazzFest International Victoria, Jazz Winnipeg Festival, Kaslo Jazz etc. Summer Music Festival, Medicine Hat JazzFest, Ottawa International Jazz Festival, Rimouski Festi Jazz International, Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, St. John's Jazz Festival, Thousand Islands Jazz Festival, Toronto Jazz Festival, Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Yardbird Jazz Festival - Edmonton.

Contact: Rainbow Robert, Executive Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (604) 872-5200