Kombilesa Mi

The 45th Ottawa Jazz fest kicked off this weekend on high with standout performances from The Roots and a lineup of exceptional talent to kick off the summer festival season.

It’s easy to dismiss all things American right now. But to ignore jazz—arguably America’s greatest contribution to culture—would be a mistake. For 45 years, the Ottawa Jazz Festival has presented the best jazz the world has to offer. This year, in keeping with Canada’s newfound patriotism, the Festival highlights Canadian musicians with their Made in Canada lineup and accompanying Spotify playlist.