To celebrate and share exceptional jazz in the stunning lakeside setting of North Hatley and neighboring communities. Every August, over the course of 4 days, dedicated volunteers and an entire community come together to bring local talent and internationally renowned artists to the stage, keeping many concerts free and accessible to all.

How It All Began

Some of the best ideas are born over good music and good friends. Nestled between lake and mountains, North Hatley has always been a place where jazz feels right at home. Yet no one could have guessed that the very first North Hatley Jazz Festival would be born so simply — over a drink, on a warm summer evening.

That night, two friends were enjoying aperitifs on the Mercantile's terrace, right in the heart of the village, while three musicians filled the air with lively, vibrant jazz. The energy was infectious. Moved by the richness of the local music scene, the two friends began to dream out loud: what if North Hatley could host a festival to celebrate this magic and bring the whole community together? When they shared their idea with the three musicians, they discovered that they had been nurturing the very same dream. The decision was made that evening — they would create the festival together.

From that spontaneous encounter emerged a clear vision — to bring world-class jazz to a village where nature, culture and community come together in perfect harmony. A vision built on a heartfelt commitment: making jazz accessible to everyone, while embracing sustainable practices that preserve the natural beauty around us and strengthen the community that supports us.

Still young, the North Hatley Jazz Festival is already enriching the cultural fabric of the Eastern Townships, offering each August, over four unforgettable days, an artistic experience that is accessible and inclusive. And because jazz is, above all, about sharing and bringing people together, the team is committed to keeping that wonderful energy alive throughout the year, organizing special events that keep the flame burning bright at the heart of the community.

A Second Edition to Celebrate

If the first edition proved the dream was possible, the second proved it was here to stay.

The festival closed as it had opened, with music. On Sunday evening, the last notes of the François Bourassa Trio settled into the quietude of Ste. Elisabeth Church, and the team felt both relief and pride in what four days had brought to life. Just hours earlier, Dreamland Park had been full, concertgoers gathered for the Sherbrooke Jazz Orchestra with vocalists Michael Gearey and Sonia Patenaude, the whole park swaying together. It was, in every way, the perfect moment the team had imagined.

Mother Nature cooperated too. From the opening gala with Ranee Lee at the Hillcrest Bistro onward, not a single concert in this year's ambitious program had to be cancelled, though a solid Plan B stood ready throughout, a quiet testament to how much care goes into a festival before a single note is played.

None of it happens alone. This edition belongs as much to the towns of North Hatley and Canton de Hatley, to the artists, sponsors, and donors who believed in it, and above all to the volunteers whose energy carried the festival from the first soundcheck to the last encore, a debt of gratitude the team carries with real pride.

As a non-profit rooted in North Hatley, the festival's team works year-round to build an event that brings joy while respecting the village it calls home. It's a gift to the community and to the surroundings that inspire the group every day, and a world-class program filled with award-winning artists is only the beginning of what's ahead. The mission hasn't changed since that first evening on a bistro’s terrace: keep jazz accessible to all, and keep as many performances free as possible. As a closing word, FJNH president Jon Gearey shares this memory from the weekend:

"It was wonderful to reconnect with many Montreal musician friends and play with them at the nightly jam sessions. They were struck by the beauty of our setting, the warmth of the community, and how smoothly the festival unfolded."