Live Music Halifax

Miracle on Brunswick St
2025-11-27 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Halifax) | Brunswick St. Mission, 2107 Brunswick St
Join Heather Rankin, Linda Carvery, Patrick Maubert, Suzy Hansen, Katrina Philip, and more to be announced!
Miracle on Brunswick Street is our first Holiday Cabaret featuring local performers. Enjoy a night of fun music, winter treats, and a holiday market.

Tickets: $20 for standing room, $30 for seats

Dave Staples, Charlie Cooley & John Chiasson
2025-11-27 18:00 - 21:00 | Wooden Monkey, Alderney Landing
John Chaisson grew up in Antigonish, and studied jazz at St. Francis Xavier University, long before the singing jazz upright bass player Esperanza Spaulding came to prominence. Fans of John’s smooth baritone-plus-bass already had her Nova Scotia counterpoint.
John has put true, low notes behind PEI legend Lenny Gallant, the stratospheric pipes of The Rankins, and beneath the fretless lilt of Natalie McMaster’s fiddle. For Natalie, John has been a music director, that is to say, her band-leader and arranger, the person who runs rehearsals.
Now based in Halifax, John’s trio plays for special events and regularly at Baton Rouge and many other venues across Nova Scotia; John and trio also provided expert framing for young phenoms like saxophonist Rob Crowell.
John admits that inspiration is a deep well – for him it starts with music in the house, played and encouraged by his parents, then with the arrival of a lead-singing bass player, Paul McCartney. John also mentions McCartney’s apparent opposite in ’60s music – the iconoclast composer, singer and bassist Charles Mingus, himself known for heart-rending chord changes, like those in Goodbye Pork Pie Hat.
John’s signature instrument is an unusual solid-body upright bass, nothing McCartney or Mingus could have had, in the day. This bass sounds sweet, and repels the Maritimes’ dry and damp spells with warmth.
Dave Staples is a veteran East Coast performer and music educator and maintains a busy freelance career as a pianist, trombonist, composer and recording artist. Dave has performed and recorded with such artists and groups as Mike Murley, Rene e Rosnes, Kenny Wheeler, Kurt Elling, Omar Hakim, the Maritime Jazz Orchestra and Bicoastal Collective as well as numerous East Coast musicians and ensembles, including John Chiasson, Ian Janes, Scott and the Rocks, Mike Cowie, Latin Groove, the Blakey Project, the Mingus Project, the Horace Silver Tribute Band, the Halifax Trombone Summit, the Back Alley Big Band and his own Dave Staples Septet. In 1995, he received the East Coast Music Award (ECMA) with Jeff Goodspeed as Jazz Artists of the Year for their album release of “Eastern Passage”(CBC Productions) and is featured on the 2006 ECMA Jazz Album of the Year “Tom Roach: Piano Trios “(CBC Productions).
Dave taught instrumental music with the Halifax Regional School Board for over 30 years and is co-founder and director of the Nova Scotia Honour Jazz program, which has worked with talented students of jazz in Nova Scotia for the last 25 years. He has also served as a board member of JazzEast and was on the Canadian Executive Board of the International Association for Jazz Education as Newsletter Editor and Director of Communications from 2003 to 2008.
Charlie Cooley has performed and/or recorded with such artists as: Leonard Cohen, K.D. Lang, The Guess Who, Heillig Manoeuvre, Amanda Marshall, Anne Murray, Randy Brecker, Kellylee Evans, Sass Jordan, Long John Baldry, Matt Dusk, and The Blues Brothers (musical director – Paul Shaffer)
Charlie is also a member of the Juno Award winning world beat jazz ensemble Manteca. Manteca has performed in many territories around the world including The North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands (Holland), The Canadian Pavilion at Expo in Seville, Spain, The Aspen Jazz Festival, The Playboy Jazz Festival at The Hollywood Bowl and The Pori Jazz Festival in Finland.
Charlie has been the in-house drummer for many of Canada’s prime time television award shows such as The Juno Awards, The Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame Awards, The East Coast Music Awards, The Gemini Awards, The Canadian Country Music Awards, and the Canada Day Celebrations from Parliament Hill (CBC)

Jam with Gabe Mink Quartet
2025-11-27 19:00 - 22:00 | Propeller Brewing Gottingen, 2015 Gottingen Stl
Jazz jam with Gabe Mink & friends.
Gabe is a guitarist and bandleader and a rising talent on the Halifax jazz scene! He plays with a shifting cast of Eastern Canada’s top musicians. Gabe has extensive experience performing at festivals and venues throughout Canada.

Chebucto Symphony
2025-11-27 19:30 - 21:30 | Christ Church, Dartmouth, 50 Wentworth St., Halifax
Fall Concert
Smetana Die Moldau
Bach Orchestral Suite #3
Beethoven Symphony No. 6

Big Easy Fridays!
2025-11-28 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-12-05 17:30 - 19:30 | Bearly’s House of Blues & Ribs, 1579 Grafton St, Halifax
Sounds of New Orleans with Mike Cowie & John Alphonse
More events all week on Bearly’s website

Caito Macdonald Trio
2025-11-28 20:00 - 22:00 | Barrington Steakhouse & Oyster Bar, 1662 Barrington St., Halifax
Caito Macdonald is a percussionist and composer from Dartmouth, NS. Caito’s musical style is rooted in the jazz tradition, and he performs at various jazz gigs around Halifax. Caito’s trio plays every Friday at the Barrington Steakhouse, and he can also be heard in the local rock/fusion band ‘Under the Bus’.

The Mellotones
2025-11-28 20:30 - 23:30 | Pacifico, 5171 George St
For over two decades, The Mellotones have been bringing their high-octane party to stages around the world. Lighting up dance floors wherever they go, the R&B Funk band is an 8-piece powerhouse.

JMS Big Band & JMS Show Band concerts
2025-11-29 12:00 - 16:00 | All Nations Christian Reformed Church, 2535 Robie St, Halifax
Toe-tapping big band sounds from members of two bands who have performed together for years under the guidance of James M. Shaw.
Listen to us!

NS Youth Orchestra
2025-11-29 14:00 - 16:00 | St. Andrews Church, 6036 Coburg Rd.
Under the direction of Mark Hopkins – Professor of Music at Acadia University and in-demand guest conductor – the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra kicks off a brand-new season with True North! Hear music from classical heavyweights like Beethoven and Sibelius, plus symphonic gems from Gabrieli, Björk, and Whitacre. Finally, experience the heart wrenching, JUNO Award-winning musical tribute to 15-year-old Amanda Todd by the late Canadian composer Jocelyn Morlock.

On the program

Giovanni Gabrieli: Sonata Primi Toni
Björk Guðmundsdóttir: Overture from Dancer in the Dark
Eric Whitacre, arr. Paul Lavender: October
Ludwig van Beethoven: Rondino in E-flat Major
Jocelyn Morlock: My Name Is Amanda Todd
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 2

Journeys Home
2025-11-29 19:00 | Christ Church, Dartmouth, 50 Wentworth St., Halifax
A choral concert of folk music, both familiar and new. Featuring Nova Scotian classics, traditional songs from the UK, and music from modern singer-songwriters.
Tickets will be available from choir members, online, and at the door. Be sure to arrive early to claim one of the new comfy chairs in the front rows!

Presented by Giocoso Community Choir

Tickets at the door or in advance

Michael Dalton ^& the Merry Wayes
2025-11-29 20:00 - 22:00 | The Narrows Pub, 2720 Gottingen St
Folk, rock & blues from this talented Halifax performer and composer. Guest include Paul St-Amand, Eliu Enriques & Behrooz Mihankhah.
Read more

G Street Band
2025-11-29 20:30 - 23:30 | Pacifico, 5171 George St
G Street Band electrifies the dance floor with their high-energy fusion of classic and current, pop, rock, funk…and a touch of jazz!

Patrick Simms and Silvio Pupo
2025-11-30 11:00 - 14:00 | The Roastory, 12 Ella Lane, Bedford, B4B2J6
Popular jazz pianist Silvio Pupo, who plays Wednesday nights at The Local, teams up with Halifax singer Patrick Simms who trained as an opera singer at Dalhousie University but well versed in old school jazz crooning, folk music and blues.

Paul St Amand & Kenneth Pasher
2025-11-30 11:00 - 17:00
Singer & trumpeter Paul St-Amand teams up with guitarist Kenneth Pasher for a midday jazz set at The Roastory: where every cup has a rhythm. Bedford’s coolest new cafe is rooted in two timeless crafts: the art of specialty coffee and the soul of jazz and blues.

Atlantic Sound Machine
2025-11-30 14:00 - 16:00 | Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax
Holiday jazz concert by one of Halifax’s most popular big bands.
Founded in 2017 by Music Director Stephanie Mckeown, Atlantic Sound machine has rocked Halifax with timeless hits through the eras in a big band format. They have performed for private and public functions and many festivals including the Jazzfest!

All Saints Cathedral Choir
2025-11-30 16:00 - 17:30 | Cathedral Church of All Saints, 1330 Cathedral Ln, Halifax
The ‘Sundays at Four’ Music Series returns to the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax September 28 at 4 p.m! Join us for a new season of inspiring choral music, offered freely to the public every Sunday afternoon. Sunday’s service is a Choral Evensong for the Eve of St Michael and All Angels, sung by the Capella Regalis Men, Boys, & Girls Choir, directed by Nick Halley, with organist Paul Halley.

Schedule

Seton Conservatory Choir
2025-11-30 19:00 - 21:00 | Maritime Conservatory, 6199 Chebucto Rd.
Through the Night, from Dusk to Dawn
Music marking the passage of time from sundown to sunup. Songs of sleep and moonlight, restlessness and relaxation, snowy walks and sunny mornings
Works by Allan, Barber, Brahs, Ramsey, Whitacre and more.

Sunday night blues jam
2025-11-30 20:00 - 23:00 | Bearly’s House of Blues & Ribs, 1579 Grafton St, Halifax
Local blues musicians try out their stuff at the traditional blues jam run by Andrew Gillis and his back up band.

RC College of Organists
2025-12-01 19:30 | Cathedral Church of All Saints, 1330 Cathedral Ln, Halifax
The Royal Canadian College of Organists presents its 74th annual Festival of Carols
Here’s what you can expect:∙ An 80+ voice massed choir ∙ 10+ organists on Halifax’s largest pipe organ ∙ Poetry by Maya Angelou, Rita Joe, and others∙ Rousing Willcocks hymn arrangements∙ Music ranging from ancient to modernWe’ll be joined by guest reader the Rev. Canon Dr. Gary Thorne and guest choir, the Galileo Chamber Choir. It’s going to be a FANTASTIC kick-off to the Christmas season! Join us, won’t you?!

Morgan Davis
2025-12-01 19:30 - 22:30, 2025-12-02 19:30 - 22:30 | Bearly’s House of Blues & Ribs, 1579 Grafton St, Halifax
Morgan Davis is a Canadian blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He was born and spent his childhood in Detroit, Michigan, before relocating to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 2001. His song “Why’d You Lie” was a hit for Colin James and featured on James’ 1988 debut album.

Jazz Night
2025-12-02 18:00 - 21:00 | Ragazzi Restobar, 5187 Salter St, Halifax
Jazz Night with Ken MacKay
A native of Truro NS, Ken first started teaching in the Public School system in 1976 and has been active as an educator as a Clinician, Adjudicator and Soloist throughout his career. Ken retired from Astral Drive Junior High where he has been Director of Bands for over 20 years. Ken is Past-President of the Atlantic Federation of Musicians and is currently on the board of NS Honour Jazz and co-leader of the NSHJ Funk Unit.
Ken’s list of his professional credits is impressive. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Regis Philbin, Natalie Cole, jazz great Ernie Watts, Mary Wilson (The Supremes), Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd, daughter of the blues Shirley King, Rosemary Clooney, the Temptations, and Lionel Ritchie are just a few of the artists Ken has shared the stage with. He currently performs with The Back Alley Big Band, Asia NuGruv and The Aviators.

Halifax Concert Band
2025-12-02 19:00 - 21:00 | St. Agnes Church, 6903 Mumford Rd.
Traditional Christmas Concert
& Carol Sing-Along
Special guest: Greg Doyle

Leo Cox Trio
2025-12-02 19:00 - 22:00 | Economy Shoe Shop, 1663 Argyle St
Jazz Night upstairs at Economy Shoe Shop run by Leo Cox, bass/guitar, Ben Tucker, guitar/voice and Dante Keirstead, drums.

Garrett Mason
2025-12-02 20:30 - 23:00 | Bearly’s House of Blues & Ribs, 1579 Grafton St, Halifax
Garrett Mason is a true bluesman at heart. He was raised in Truro, Nova Scotia by his mother Pam, and father, veteran Canadian Bluesman Dutch Mason. His quest to become a blues musician started at a very early age; being surrounded by music blues music, Garrett’s favorite tapes at 3 years old were Canned Heat and Buddy Rich. What really sealed the deal for Garrett to become a blues guitarist came after watching a video of Stevie Ray Vaughn “Live At the El Mocambo” – he was hooked.
His dad, Dutch Mason, stopped playing guitar before Garrett was born due to crippling arthritis in his hands. Although he was not able to teach his son to play, he has certainly been able to teach Garrett the structure of the Blues and to influence him about the resulting sound. Surrounded by his father’s peers, Garrett has had the benefit of hearing and learning from a wide variety of musical talent. The late Rick Jeffery was a great inspiration to Garrett; they would talk and play for hours together. Rick once said “Garrett is the only guitar player I know that can play Albert Collins’ style down to a T”. The combination of his father’s advice, Jeffery’s guidance and his own natural talents provide that special brew for Garrett to become the musical influence he is destined to be.
Garrett would be the first to tell you that riding the coat tails of others won’t take you very far in this business, but striving to be truly original is the secret to longevity and lasting success. Garrett launched his debut CD I’m Just a Man at the 2004 Harvest Jazz and Blues festival in Fredericton, New Brunswick to a sold out crowd.
This debut CD features Garrett’s talent for strong original songs, a voice that is reminiscent of a veteran performer and his extraordinary aptitude for playing electric guitar. Garrett’s original talent was awarded in 2005 when he received a Juno for Best Blues Album. Garrett Mason is poised to be one of the brightest stars to emerge from the East Coast Blues scene in years.
Garrett’s band released their sophomore album Love and Sound in July 2008 which was nominated for a Juno Award. The album won Blues Artist/Group Recording of the Year at the 2009 Music Nova Scotia and Industry Awards.

Live jazz with Matt Maclennan trio
2025-12-03 19:00 - 22:00 | Obladee wine bar, 1600 Barrington St, Halifax
Matt MacLennan is a bassist and bandleader, bringing a mix of velvety ballads, smooth bossa novas, and breezy swing to Obladee!
You can expect balanced and inviting sets with an easy and conversational style that fills the room without crowding it. Lean in and listen, or simply let the sound and textures carry you away.

Please reserve your spot as seating is limited.

Jazz Night @ The Local
2025-12-03 19:30 - 23:00 | The Local, 2037 Gottingen St, Halifax
Jazz night with Silvio Pupo, keys, Ronald Hynes, bass and Damien Moynihan, percussion.

Global Centric Brass Band
2025-12-04 19:00 - 21:30 | Woodside Tavern, 209 Pleasant St
It’s our last show of 2025! Global Centric Brass Band has had a banner year performing throughout NS and we will be celebrating with some of our favourite New Orleans Traditionals and covers along with a some “seasonal music” to get y’all in the Christmas Spirit!
If you didn’t get a chance to hear us over the summer, here’s your last chance! Come on out, support live music and join in the fun. More the merrier! Hope to see you there!
