Aeolian Summer Music Festival 2026

Friday, June 26th

7:30pm (Doors at 6:30pm)

Advance Tickets: $59

Door Tickets: $64

BUY NOW!

For over four decades Powder Blues has been Canada’s leading blues band. The mix of swing, blues, jazz, rock & roll and r & b has an appeal so wide that people from seven to seventy swing side by side at a Powder Blues concert. Over the years the band has toured non-stop through Canada, the US and overseas, sharing their feel-good music.

Powder Blues debut album, ‘Uncut’, was ignored by major labels who said there was ‘no market for the blues’. Undiscouraged, the band sent it to radio stations whose switchboards lit up with calls asking, ‘who’s that?’ After selling 30,000 copies in a few weeks, the same record labels competed to sign the band. To date Powder Blues have sold over a million records worldwide.

Highlights include winning Canada’s Juno, headlining the Montreux Switzerland Jazz Festival, winning the Blues Foundation Award in Memphis, Tennessee and touring the US and Europe with legends like Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, James Brown, Albert Collins, James Cotton and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Leader, Tom Lavin wrote many of the band’s best-known songs including ‘Doin’ It Right’ (‘On the Wrong Side of Town’) and ‘Boppin With the Blues’. Born in Chicago, where he played with local bands and blues legends, Tom moved to Vancouver where he worked as studio musician, song writer, band leader, record producer and film composer.

Tom has won BCMIA awards for ‘Guitarist, Singer, Songwriter and Producer of the Year’, a Juno award for ‘Best New Band’ and the American W.C. Handy award. He has over a dozen gold, and platinum records for Powder Blues, Prism, April Wine, Long John Baldry, Amos Garrett, and many others.

2026 is the band’s 48th Anniversary. Their more than dozen CD titles and DVD continue to sell world-wide making Tom Lavin & the Legendary Powder Blues one of Canada’s longest-standing musical ambassadors.

Sunday, June 28th

8:00pm (Doors at 7:00pm)

Advance Tickets: $49

Door Tickets: $54

BUY NOW!

“What a band . . . ferocious technicians with a beautiful melodic approach!” —BBC Radio

Monkey House, the Juno-nominated quartet led by Emmy-winning songwriter Don Breithaupt, is an oasis of jazz harmony and pop smarts in a by-the-numbers world. Crashbox, the band’s latest release, features guest appearances by Michael Leonhart (Steely Dan), Drew Zingg (Boz Scaggs), and Marc Jordan. Five albums into its deal with Alma Records and Universal Music, Monkey House counts Tokyo as its top streaming city, Los Angeles as its second home, and Europe as its area of greatest growth. Its last two albums have topped the iTunes Jazz chart and entered Billboard in the Top 15.

Friday, June 25th

7:30pm (Doors at 6:30pm)

Advance Tickets: $39

Door Tickets: $44

BUY NOW

Forged in a cauldron of raging, inspiring contemporary jazz, the Jeremy Ledbetter Trio pushes the boundaries of jazz and world music, providing an undiluted display of rampaging energy and captivating musicianship. Audiences must exercise caution. People who see this band are rarely the same again. If the Jeremy Ledbetter Trio were an inanimate object, it would be a runaway train. The Jeremy Ledbetter Trio’s second album, “Gravity”, has stormed out to over a million worldwide streams and a JUNO Award for Jazz Album of the Year. “Gravity” sees Jeremy joined by Grammy-winning drummer Larnell Lewis (Snarky Puppy) and renowned electric bassist Rich Brown (Steve Coleman’s Five Elements), who offer the perfect counterpart to Ledbetter’s iconoclastic energy at the piano.

“Best in Canadian jazz 2024” – JazzFM91 Toronto

“One of the best piano trios of the early 21st century” – Musica Terra, Japan

“Jeremy Ledbetter is turning the world upside down with his new album Gravity” – Music Frames, Netherlands

“Has this Festival ever booked a better band? Probably not. We’ll remember it for the rest of our lives.” – iHarstad, Norway

“The country’s premiere contemporary music trio” – A Guy We Know

All performances in the D&S Lounge are free to attend and seating is general admission.

Jaron Camp is a guitarist and singer-songwriter from St. Marys, Ontario. After years of performing with artists such as Emm Gryner and duo project York Street Thought Process, Camp has been pursuing his love of both lyrical folk music along with instrumental jazz guitar. Drawing inspiration from songwriters and improvisers, Camp weaves together intriguing playing and evocative lyrics. The Jaron Camp Trio of guitar, double bass and drums focuses on original instrumental music that pulls from jazz and folk traditions. Jaron Camp recently released “Jigsaw Puzzle”; a jazz folk album that includes tracks with Stephan Szczesniak and Matthieu Savard recorded live off the floor. They have received recognition from radio stations across Canada, most notably Saturday Night Jazz on CBC with Laila Biali.

Later this year, Camp will be releasing a FACTOR funded singer songwriter folk album that brings together a plethora of special guests from throughout Camp’s life in music.

Bill Needham is a singer songwriter born in London On, writing songs since he was a child. His talents were amplified when he put together the vehicle that would later become Broomsticks & Hammers, an award winning folk rock group. After the release of their first studio album they toured many venues across Ontario. Bill’s songwriting style draws from many eclectic sources.

Taylor Holden is a rock and roll artist recording and touring out of London, Ontario. On a mission to prove that rock and roll is alive and well, Holden is embarking on her second full length album titled Lemon Tea in the Afternoon. Through her intense passion for live performance, Holden spent years developing as a front-person, creating a captivating, rock and roll show that not only channels the wild energy of artists like Joan Jett, but holds space for soft storytelling.

Fast-rising country singer-songwriter Jade Hilton is making waves with her new single “I Want a Cowboy.”

Written by Hilton during a holiday songwriting retreat at her parents’ farm in Norfolk County, Ontario, she later brought the track south to Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where it was recorded live off the floor. The session was engineered by Craig Alvin, known for his work on Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves. “I Want a Cowboy” blends Hilton’s classic country influences with a modern edge and offers an early glimpse into the music she is preparing for her upcoming album.

Last year, Hilton’s breakout single “Dive Bar” earned her national attention, including from SiriusXM Canada, Breakfast Television, Global TV’s The Morning Show, CityNews and CTV’s Etalk, who called Hilton “the hottest new talent in country music.” Since then, Hilton has delivered standout performances at Country Music Week (as part of the CCMA Awards weekend) and Folk Music Week (as part of the Folk Music Canada Awards Weekend). She was also named a finalist for the 2025 Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase and made her debut at Cavendish Beach Music Festival, The CNE, The Royal Winter Fair and Departure Festival. Just last month, she headlined The Rivoli in Toronto for the first time and sold out the venue. In 2026, she will be on the main stage at Ottawa Bluesfest as direct support for Jessie Murph and Cody Johnson, and also at Misty City Music Festival supporting Jon Pardi. She was also nominated for Country Music Ontario’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year and performed at the awards last month.

Marty Kolls is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose music lives in the sweet spot between pop, folk, and soul. Her sound is warm and melodic, blending memorable musical lines with the depth and honesty of storytelling and emotional soulfulness. Expressive vocals and layered instrumentation create an intimate listening experience, drawing audiences into songs that feel both personal and timeless.

Rooted in an East Coast childhood and shaped by a life rich with varied experience, Marty now calls London, Ontario home. A mother of two, she is part of a close, supportive network of musicians and friends with whom she plays regularly. This year, she has been releasing new music that continues to explore her signature blend of pop, folk, and soul, sharing songs drawn from her own stories and the subtle, powerful moments she observes in the world around her.

Best Blues/R&B 2012 Jack Richardson Music Award winners, 2012 Memphis International Blues Challenge Semi-Finalists and 2011 London Free Press Local Album of the Year winners “Robbie Antone Band” gets its sound from the many influences of lead singer and harmonica ace Robbie Antone. Robbie Antone “Wolf Clan,” hails from the Oneida Nation of the Thames First Nation, near London, Ontario.

All performances in the Southen Lounge are free to attend and seating is general admission.

The Laurraine Sigouin Trio will take you on a musical journey with an upbeat bilingual mix of jazz, cabaret, and Québécois pop. Their songbook features artists like Harmonium, Charles Aznavour, Serge Gainsbourg, Henri Salvador, Pink Martini, and Louisiana’s own Dr. John and Zachary Richard as well as classics from the American Songbook.

They showcase a growing collection of original compositions,  including their own, alongside songs by some of London’s most talented songwriters. Laurraine is thrilled to be joined by Stephen Holowitz on piano and Paul Stevenson on trumpet for what promises to be an exciting afternoon of music. Each of these performers is a dynamic, seasoned talent, and together—just watch the sparks fly!

Tenez-vous bien et laissez-vous enchanter!

London based guitarist Andy Cloutier has been performing music in a variety of styles for over 15 years. As a performer of classical music, he studied classical guitar with Robert Kubica at the University of Western Ontario, where he also focused on studies in music theory and composition. He has received awards and scholarships from the University of Western Ontario, the London Kiwanis Festival, and the OMFA provincial competition. He has also participated in public master classes with world renowned artists, including Pepe Romero, Manuel Barrueco, Roland Dyens, Pavel Steidl, and the Assad Brothers.

As a performer of popular music, Andy has been actively involved in London’s music scene since the early 2000’s, playing and recording with numerous bands and ensembles. Honours include awards from the London Music Awards, and the Jack Richardson Music Awards.

Andy currently resides in London, where he maintains an active private teaching studio, and works as organist and music director at Strathroy United Church.

Andy performs on guitars built by Canadian Luthier Bruno Boutin (2009), and Japanese Luthier Masaru Kohno (1982).

Toronto songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Abigail Lapell returns with Anniversary, an evocative collection of original love songs. The album balances upbeat earworms with elegiac ballads, ultimately emerging as an earnest celebration of commitment. Anniversary was recorded at 200-year-old St. Mark’s Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, co-produced with Great Lake Swimmers’ Tony Dekker, who helped shape the project’s spooky, resonant sound while lending his voice to a few spellbinding duets.

Dekker and Lapell assembled a stellar cast of musicians to support Lapell’s powerhouse vocals, piano, harmonica and signature fingerstyle guitar. The core band includes Dan Fortin on bass, Jake Oelrichs on drums, and Tania Gill on piano, harpsichord and organ. Rounding out the ensemble’s sensitive, orchestral country-jazz arrangements are Rebecca Hennessy (trumpet), Rachael Cardiello (viola), Michael Davidson (marimba and vibraphone) and Joe Lapinsky (pedal steel).

Lapell has garnered three Canadian Folk Music Awards (English Songwriter of the Year in 2023 and 2020 and Contemporary Album of the Year in 2017), hit number one on Canadian folk radio and reached a staggering 48 million + streams across digital music platforms. She tours widely across Canada and the U.S., performing at festivals like SXSW, Americanafest, POP Montreal, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Dawson City Music Festival, Edmonton Folk Fest and many others.

Sarina Haggarty is a Canadian singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice, vivid storytelling, and captivating live performances. She has performed with artists like Shawn Mendes and Tim Hicks, and played sold-out shows across Canada and Europe. Blending country roots with modern pop melodic hooks, her albums and singles—featured on SiriusXM, CBC Music, and top editorial playlists—have earned multiple local and national nominations. A versatile performer and community advocate, she appeared in a worldwide Make-A-Wish PSA alongside John Cena. Fearless and driven, Sarina continues to raise the bar for independent female artists.

The Red Door Collective is an ad hoc group of local musicians and artists led by soprano Lauren Bryant-Monk and violist Jeffrey Komar. Their mission is to make classical music concerts affordable, interesting, and enduring. Since their first concert in the fall of 2024, the Red Door Collective has presented dynamic programs of chamber music and art song that spotlight emerging talent from the Forest City. They also partner with local charities like St. John the Evangelist Church and Arts 4 All Kids to provide free concert tickets to people in need.

For this concert, Lauren joins forces with jazz–piano virtuoso Hubert Orlowski and operatic baritone Anthony Rodrigues for an “Electric Schubertiad.” Come hear the music of Austrian composer Franz Schubert reimagined through the lens of modern electro-pop!

Oh, Berlin is the project of singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Ben Heffernan. With Oh, Berlin, Heffernan channels his indie rock, dance rock, and art-pop influences into a set of exhilarating, cathartic songs. As a solo artist, Heffernan has been recording and touring since the mid-2010s, earning recognition through award nominations (including a Canadian Folk Music Award), high-profile festival appearances at events such as Winnipeg Folk Festival and JunoFest, and over 500 live performances. Beyond his own work, he has also recently begun to build a reputation as a producer for a number of Canadian singer-songwriters.

Oh, Berlin will release its debut full-length album in early 2026, accompanied by a run of live shows beginning in late 2025 and continuing through 2026.