This year’s Toronto Jazz Festival is brimming with exceptional talents, and with the coinciding of  World Pride 2014, it’s going to be a sizzling summer kick-off!  Getting the party started on Thursday, June 19th is celebrated soul legend Chaka Khan.  Feeling a little more bluesy rock?  How about spending your Friday evening with the formidable Melissa Etheridge and opener Deborah Cox — for free?

Take a look at some of the highlights of the featured performers announced, and for full festival details, visit torontojazz.com!

Thursday, June 19
Chaka Khan (Opening: Shemekia Copeland) – Sony Centre 8pm

Friday, June 20
Melissa Etheridge (Opening: Deborah Cox) – Nathan Phillips Square 8pm FREE
Gregory Porter – Jane Mallett Theatre 8pm
Mark McLean featuring Lester McLean – Jazz Bistro 8pm

Saturday, June 21
David Clayton-Thomas (Opening: Oakland Stroke) – Nathan Phillips Square 8pm
June Garber & Friends featuring Russ Little Quartet with Amanda Martinez – Home Smith Bar, Old Mill Toronto 7:30pm

Sunday, June 22
Kenny Wayne Shepherd / Robert Randolph & The Family Band – Nathan Phillips Square 8pm
Bill Mays – solo piano – Jazz Bistro 8pm
Toronto Mass Choir – Nathan Phillips Square 12:30pm FREE

Monday, June 23
Gerald Clayton – solo piano – Jazz Bistro 8pm
Snarky Puppy – Horseshoe Tavern 10pm
Viva Mexico Mariachi – Shops at Don Mills 5pm FREE

Tuesday, June 24
Earth, Wind & Fire – Sony Centre 8pm
Hiromi: The Trio Project – Koerner Hall 8pm
Jon Ballantyne – solo piano – Jazz Bistro 8pm
Nels Cline / Julian Lage Duo – Horseshoe Tavern 10pm

Wednesday, June 25
Keith Jarrett – solo piano – Roy Thomson Hall 8pm
Lettuce / Dirty Dozen Brass Band – Nathan Phillips Square 8pm
Canadian Jazz Quartet w. Warren Vache – KAMA 5pm
Slocan Ramblers – Shops at Don Mills 5:30pm FREE

Thursday, June 26
John Scofield Uberjam Band / Dave Holland, Kevin Eubanks, Craig Taborn, Eric Harland – PRISM – Nathan Phillips Square 8pm
Canadian Jazz Quartet w. Houston Person – KAMA 5pm
Measha Brueggergosman – Koerner Hall 8pm
Maylee Todd – Shops at Don Mills 7pm FREE

Friday, June 27
Bobby McFerrin spirityouall (Opening: Soul Nannies) – Nathan Phillips Square 8pm
Broadsway – Hard Rock Café 10pm
Benny Meets Artie w. Ross Wooldridge Big Band & Lorraine Lawson – Nathan Phillips Square 12pm FREE
Harkness-Herriott Duo – Nathan Phillips Square 5pm FREE

Saturday, June 28
Stanley Clarke / Mehliana featuring Brad Mehldau & Mark Guiliana – Nathan Phillips Square 8pm
Kelly & The Kellygirls – Hardrock Café 10pm
Jim Galloway Quartet – Shops at Don Mills 2pm FREE
Autorickshaw – Shops at Don Mills 5pm FREE
Tara Davidson Trio – Nathan Phillips Square 5pm FREE