Live Music Halifax

Live jazz with Matt Maclennan trio
2026-03-11 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-03-04 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Halifax) | 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.

Garrett Mason
2026-03-10 20:30 - 23:00, 2026-03-03 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.

Leo Cox Trio
2026-03-10 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-03-03 19:00 - 22:00 | Economy Shoe Shop, 1663 Argyle St
Halifax’s Leo Cox Trio brings groove-driven modern jazz to Tuesday nights at The Economy Shoe Shop. No cover. Sit-ins welcome.
Tuesday Night Jazz at The Economy Shoe Shop features the Leo Cox Trio, with Leo Cox on bass, Ben Tucker on guitar, and Dante Kierstead on drums. Held every Tuesday from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, this weekly modern jazz residency offers evolving sets, original music, and spontaneous sit-ins in an intimate downtown Halifax setting. With no cover charge, it is an easy way to experience groove-driven jazz and connect with Halifax’s vibrant jazz community.

Jazz Night
2026-03-10 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.

Morgan Davis
2026-03-09 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.

Sunday night blues jam
2026-03-08 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.

She Jam Blues
2026-03-08 17:00 - 19:00 | Wooden Monkey, Alderney Landing
Celebrate International Women’s Day with these women of exuberant sound!

Krisanne Crowell: piano, sax, vocals
Anna Martin: guitar: sax, piano, vocals
Gabriella Ciurcovich: bass
Sue Street: drums

All Saints Cathedral Choir
2026-03-08 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

A Li'l Affair
2026-03-08 14:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-07 19:30 | The Sanctuary Arts Centre, 100 Octherloney St
Funk Island Lab presents “A Li’l Affair”, a show to celebrate International Women’s Day and the artists who performed at Lilith Fair.
Performances by ADINA, Ali Enriquez, Claira Blanchard, Freya Milliken, Kim Wempe, LXVNDR, Roxanne Potvin, Yvette Lorraine, all supported by an all-star band.
Proceeds from this event will support Funk Island Lab Music Society, and we will be accepting donations for Adsum House during the event.
Funk Island Lab Music Society is a non-profit music organization dedicated to fostering unique music education experiences, with a commitment to community, diversity, and inclusion. We host songwriting and music production camps that connect professional songwriters, emerging artists, and youth across Atlantic Canada.

Glass Winds Ensemble
2026-03-08 14:00 - 16:30 | Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax
Motion
Glass Winds presents Motion, a concert celebrating music that moves. From the powerful emotion of Jodie Blackshaw’s Vulnerable Joy to the driving energy of Carolyn Bremner’s Impulse Engine and the playful spark of Hope Salmonson’s I Dance for Myself, this program is full of colour and momentum. Featuring bold works by today’s exciting composers, Motion promises an afternoon of intensity,imagination and unforgettable sound.

John Chiasson Trio
2026-03-08 11:00 - 14:00 | Milestones, MicMac Mall, 21 Micmac Blvd, Dartmouth
Fretless 5 String Bass and Vocal – John Chiasson
Piano – Dave Staples
Percussion – Charlie Cooley

Rec Room Jams
2026-03-07 21:00 - 23:30 | Casino Nova Scotia, 1983 Upper Water St, Halifax
Come join us for a night of fun, laughter, and live music at Monte’s Showbar Grill! Rec Room Jams will be bringing the house down with their killer dance and party tunes from the 70s, 80s, 90’s, 2000’s, and today. Get ready to dance the night away and make some unforgettable memories with friends old and new!
Tickets

Women’s Day Celebration
2026-03-07 20:00 - 23:59 | Seahorse Tavern, 2037 Gottingen
Featuring:

Moira & Claire
BETHANY
Nicole Ariana
LXVNDR
Quoia States
Madeline

Tickets

Thalea String Quartet
2026-03-07 19:30 | Lilian Piercey Concert Hall, 6199 Chebucto Road
Thalea String Quartet, a dynamic ensemble, is renowned for its innovative approach to string quartet repertoire. This stunning program offers a thoughtfully curated journey through time, tradition, and cultural expression. It features Joseph Haydn’s delightful “String Quartet in C Major,” with all four movements showcasing the composer’s wit, elegance, and structural mastery. The program also includes Polaris Music Prize and multiple Juno Award-winning Inuit artist Tanya Tagaq’s powerful and evocative “Sivunittinni,” arranged by Jacob Garchik. Gabriella Smith’s energetic, genre-defying “Carrot Revolution,” inspired by visual art and nature, adds vibrant flair, while Akshaya Avril Tucker’s lyrical and spiritual “Radha in the Forest” draws on Indian classical traditions, and Terry Riley’s hypnotic “Sunrise of the Planetary Dream Collector” immerses listeners in a meditative, minimalist soundscape. At the centre of this program, multiple GRAMMY Award-winner Andrew Yee’s introspective and luminous “Something Golden” offers a contemporary reflection on beauty and vulnerability. With their signature vibrancy and commitment to storytelling through sound, the Thalea String Quartet delivers an unforgettable musical experience that bridges eras and cultures with grace and vitality. A co-presentation with Debut Atlantic. Season Sponsor: Nice Moves / Red Door Realty.
Tickets Under 30 $30.00, General $42.00

Sackville Concert Band
2026-03-07 19:00 | McInnes Room @ Dal, 6136 University Ave.
Golden Gala– an evening of music and dance
Join us for our annual fundraising event featuring Sackville Concert Band, a silent auction, 50/50, dancing, and a cash bar! This is an event not to be missed!

Tickets are available on Eventbrite or from bend members.

Rankin's Winter Warmers
2026-03-07 15:00 - 18:00 | The Marquee, 037 Gottingen St,, Halifax
Winter is long, but it doesn’t have to feel that way…
Rankin MacInnis is a Maritime musician with a unique kind of show.
Saturday afternoons in Halifax have become synonymous with “Rankin’s Winter Warmers” at The Marquee.

From January to March, MacInnis makes the trip from Mabou, Cape Breton, to Halifax to host what has become one the most popular events in the city.
“Speaking of Cape Breton, the concept, I think, kind of developed in the way I would have been developed in Mabou, with kitchen parties and the sharing of music,” he says.
MacInnis always wears a hockey jersey during his performances and does everything from singing to playing the bagpipes.
He not only takes the stage with his eight-piece band, but is joined each week by special guests.
“Jimmy Rankin has been on the stage, Carmen Townsand, (The) Town Heroes,” MacInnis says.
The shows welcome people of all ages.
“The older we get, the more perfect it is,” jokes MacInnis.
“Rankin’s Winter Warmers” has become so popular it won best event at the 2023 Music Nova Scotia Awards and MacInnis took home the prize for Entertainer of the Year as well.
“It was a big moment,” he says.
For those who haven’t experienced the concert series yet, MacInnis says there is still time, with three weeks and four shows left.
MacInnis adds the shows are “for everyone.”
“Mostly upbeat, all fun music, but we do our best to celebrate all genres,” he says. “So even if you only like a certain amount, it’s like the same as like the weather in Scotland, just wait five minutes and you’ll get something different.” — CTV
Tickets $28.50

Chebucto Symphony Children's Concert
2026-03-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Christ Church, Dartmouth, 50 Wentworth St., Halifax
Spring Concert
Melissa Doiron, Music Director
Featuring music from Frozen, Wicked and Disney

The Mellotones
2026-03-06 20:30 - 23:30 | Pacifico, 5171 George St
The Mellotones have been bringing their high-octane party to stages around the world for over two decades. Lighting up dance floors wherever they go, the R&B Funk band is an 8-piece powerhouse. From weddings to festivals to late-night clubs and corporate events, their energetic show provides the perfect atmosphere for any occasion.
Combining powerful vocals, dynamic horns, and a groovy rhythm section with a catalogue that dives deep into the history of soul, funk, disco, and R&B music, The Mellotones recall an era dominated by the classics of Motown, Stax, and Chess Records.
Drawing on a wealth of experience as road-tested backup musicians, and as seasoned session players for ECMA and JUNO Award winning artists, The Mellotones are a hard-working collective of some of the region’s best performers.
​Over their long career the band has garnered a devoted fan base. They’ve also had the opportunity to perform with such artists as David Foster, Dan Akroyd, The Free Nationals, Nathan East, and even Dennis Rodman. The Mellotones served as a backing band for renowned blues guitarist Matt Andersen for a 2018 national tour that was documented on the record Matt Andersen and The Mellotones Live at Olympic Hall.
Ideal for any event, The Mellotones are a sure fire party hit guaranteed to deliver a night of exceptional entertainment for the young and young at heart.

Rec Room Jams....
2026-03-06 20:00 - 23:45 | Doolittle’s Sports Bar & Grill, 90 Tacoma Dr

Caito Macdonald Trio
2026-03-06 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’.

Alfie Zappacosta
2026-03-06 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-03-05 19:30 - 22:00 | The Carleton, 1685 Argyle St, Halifax
The Carleton is delighted to again (it’s becoming an annual thing!) welcome 2-time Juno award winner and Canadian icon Alfie Zappacosta back to our stage for two performances – accompanied by Silvio Pupo
Alfie Zappacosta is undeniably one of Canada’s premier songwriters and performers with chart topping hits and a recording and acting career that has spanned 40 years. He continues to evolve as an artist by “doing it his way”, an effort that has been rewarded with an impressive song catalogue and a discerning loyal fan base.

Alfie Zappacosta decided on a music career in his teens and set his sights upon being a guitarist. When his vocal dexterity and song writing proficiency were uncovered by a publisher while writing for his first original band “Surrender”, events would be put in motion to champion Zappacosta (dropping his first name) as a solo artist and bring him to the world’s attention. “Start Again”, “Passion”, “When I Fall in Love Again” and “Nothing Can Stand In Your Way” became staples on Canadian adult contemporary radio and Zappacosta became a personified Rock Star.

In 1987, Walt Disney’s Danger Bay would bring Zappacosta an episode written specifically for him titled “Rock Star”. In the same year, he penned and sang “Overload” exclusively for the multi-platinum soundtrack “Dirty Dancing” and Loverboy would record Zappacosta’s “That’s Where The Money Goes” for their Wildside album. In 1988, he was awarded JUNOs for “Album of The Year’ and “Most Promising Artist”, an American Music Award for “Most Popular Album of The Year” and named the Canadian Publishers Music Association’s “Best Rock Star”.

Zappacosta’s distinctive baritone voice did not go unnoticed by artistic directors and in 1990, he was called to deliver his greatest challenge of his career – singing Andrew Lloyd Webber. Alfie’s portrayals of Christ in Jesus Christ Superstar and Che Guevara in Evita would bring a new audience and support his efforts to delineate his pop/rock image – a moniker that never reflected his authentic personality. The release of “Innocence Ballet” in 1996 would introduce Alfie Zappacosta (taking back his first name) and give center stage to his true rich vocals, his mastery at romance, his astute take on relationships and his advanced knowledge of music. Alfie is rewarded for his efforts with numerous award nominations in the Smooth Jazz genre and a performance with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra in 2005.

Zappacosta has polished his live concert performances exposing his sophisticated, intimate and intense personality. His performances deliver a blend of acoustic, jazz and pop music prompting the listener to engage soulfully. And the hits that originally brought Zappacosta to the world’s attention? – Alfie hasn’t turned his back on any of these songs. You will hear them in his program performed the way they were originally written and meant to be heard.

Tickets

Big Easy Fridays!
2026-03-06 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

Jazz Night @ The Local
2026-03-04 19:30 - 23:00 | The Local, 2037 Gottingen St, Halifax
Jazz night with Silvio Pupo, keys, Ronald Hynes, bass and Damien Moynihan, percussion.

From Vienna to the Pampas
2026-03-04 19:30 | Joseph Strug Concert Hall, 1385 Seymour St
This vibrant program connects composers across continents and centuries through the shared language of folk spirit and expressive storytelling.
A Mozart violin/viola duo opens with elegance and wit, Kodály’s Intermezzo for string trio adds Hungarian rustic flair and Ginasetera’s Pampeana No 1 (violin and piano) delivers fiery Argentine passion. The evening closes with Dohnány’s lush and dramatic Piano Quartet –– a youthful masterpiece blending Romantic sweep with Hungarian soul.
Featuring Leonardo Perez, violin; Elizabeth Upson Perez, viola; Shimon Walt, cello; Philip Chiu, piano.
Livestream access available

Jesica Ackerley & Sam Wilson
2026-03-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax
Award-winning guitarists, Jessica Ackerley and Sam Wilson, will make their debut duo performance at the Library, performing repertoire from each of their catalogues that spans across jazz, ambient and experimental music. This concert will also feature the first-time duo performance of a solo guitar commission, entitled “Wave II,” composed by Jessica Ackerley for Sam Wilson.
All are welcome to attend this performance. Due to space limitations, space for this concert will be first-come, first-served.
