It was a beautiful Friday evening for Day 7 of Ottawa Jazz Festival 2026.
Headlining the Main Stage was Willow, and she completely exceeded my expectations.
Although her set lasted just one hour, she delivered an incredible performance that seamlessly blended jazz, rock, funk, and soul. Drawing material from Empathogen and Petal Rock, while also previewing a couple of tracks from her upcoming album The Thread, Willow showcased both her musical versatility and impressive musicianship.
Regardless of what some critics may say, she proved why she deserves the spotlight with a captivating live performance.

Over at the late-night show, I caught part of Seattle’s The Dip, who had the crowd grooving with an infectious mix of funk and rhythm and blues.
Their tight musicianship and energetic stage presence made for one of the night’s most enjoyable sets.

Earlier in the evening at the Elgin St. Stage, Witch Prophet delivered a captivating performance that blended electro-R&B, jazz fusion, and neo-soul into a rich and immersive sound.

Opening the Main Stage was Fawn Wood, whose heartfelt performance of traditional Indigenous folk music provided a warm and meaningful start to the evening.

Overall, it was another outstanding night at the festival, showcasing an eclectic lineup of artists and musical styles.
Check out the gallery!