Ottawa Bluesfest 2026 continued on July 17th at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, ON., and featured performances by country-rock artist Sheryl Crow, who released her newest album, Evolution, on March 29, 2024 via Big Machine, which featured the singles “Alarm Clock”, “Evolution”, “Do It Again”, and “Digging in the Dirt”, St. John’s-based rock artist Nick Earle, Vancouver-based guitarist JIMI, and more!
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: Sheryl Crow performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Greg Kolz)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: Sheryl Crow performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Greg Kolz)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: Sheryl Crow performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Greg Kolz)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: Sheryl Crow performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Greg Kolz)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: Sheryl Crow performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Greg Kolz)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: Sheryl Crow performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Greg Kolz)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: Sheryl Crow performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Greg Kolz)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: Sheryl Crow performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Greg Kolz)
_________________________________________________________________ Nick Earle _________________________________________________________________
Over on the Hard Rock Stage, hailing from St. John’s, Newfoundland was Nick Earle and the Restless Hearts. Nick and his band rocked the stage in a powerful set, showcasing his style of energy and his relationship with rock ’n’ roll.
No stranger to performing, Nick electrified the crowd, who was clearly loving what they heard. Powerful guitar solos, and East Coast rock entertained all who were there. Fans who enjoyed the show, can check out the band’s first live record, Live At The JAG Roundhouse, which was released on May 21 of this year.
The band headlined by Nick, includes Clare Follett, Daniel George, and Andrew Rodgers.The chemistry on stage was real, and Nick and the band’s talent is certain to bring them much success in the future.
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: Nick Earle performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: Nick Earle performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: Nick Earle performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: Nick Earle performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: Nick Earle performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: Nick Earle performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: Nick Earle performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: Nick Earle performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
JIMI rocked the LeBreton Stage at Ottawa Bluesfest on Friday July 17, 2026. At the opening of her set, the crowd was sparse, but very early on, JIMI’s voice brought the fans into the tent.
Growing up, JIMI was influenced by classic bands like Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and her songs have a definite blues feel to them.
Hailing from St. Albert, Alberta and based in Vancouver, JIMI has recently worked with Bryan Adams. Look her up on any music streaming service and you will find at least 10 singles and an album called “What a Feeling” from 2021.
The crowd gathered was rocking in the tent, clearly enjoying her songs, her intricate guitar looping skills, and her interaction with the crowd from the edge of the stage.
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: JIMI performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: JIMI performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: JIMI performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: JIMI performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: JIMI performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: JIMI performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: JIMI performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: JIMI performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
_________________________________________________________________ The Jay Blues Trio _________________________________________________________________
The Jay Blues Trio, hailing from Toronto, Ontario, performed on the LeBreton Stage at Ottawa Bluesfest. The band formed in 2023 and consists of Jwoel “Jay” Benn, Ben Graffam and Kyle Colasanti. The trio entertained with vocals, and music influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and Sly and the Family Stone. Self described as a Canadian acid blues, funk and Chicago Blues.
The band met while entertaining on the streets of Toronto as buskers Jwoel was drawn to music introduced to him by his father that highlighted some of the injustices in the world. He has a strong sense of pride when playing Roots music. The blues are a brand of Roots cultivated by the African Diaspora.
The crowd in the tent was entertained and were clearly enjoying the music of The Jay Blues Trio.
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: The Jay Blues Trio performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: The Jay Blues Trio performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: The Jay Blues Trio performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: The Jay Blues Trio performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: The Jay Blues Trio performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
OTTAWA, ON. – July 17: The Jay Blues Trio performs at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario as part of Ottawa Bluesfest on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Ellen Bond for Aesthetic Magazine)
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