T.U. Jazz Fest 2027
Musician Submissions: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Emerging Artists Association (EAA) is accepting musician submissions for its 2027 programming season.
Your application will be considered for performance opportunities across EAA's events, festivals, concert series and collaborative programs with partner organizations.
Please review the following information carefully before applying.
Application Process and Deadlines
1. What is the T.U. Jazz Fest 2027 musician submission program?
This is EAA's annual musician submission process. Rather than applying separately for each event, musicians can submit their work for consideration across multiple EAA programs and events presented with our partners.
Submitting an application does not guarantee a performance opportunity. Artists are selected based on musical merit, eligibility, programming needs and available funding.
2. When is the 2027 musician submission period?
Applications are accepted from November 1 to December 31, 2026.
3. What is the submission deadline?
The deadline is December 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
All required materials must be submitted through the online form before the deadline.
4. Can I submit my application after the deadline?
No. Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.
If you miss the deadline, please apply during the next annual submission period, expected to take place from November 1 to December 31, 2027.
5. How do I apply?
Simply complete the online application form and upload the required materials.
Application form: https://forms.gle/9LV4mXQphNSPfoKy6
Please review your information and files carefully before submitting.
6. Do I need to apply separately for each EAA event?
No. One application places your music in the annual submission pool for consideration across EAA programs and relevant partner events.
Some opportunities may require additional information or have specific eligibility, artistic or logistical requirements.
Eligibility
7. Who is eligible to apply?
EAA currently offers two eligibility categories:
Category 1: Students and Recent Graduates
At least 50% of the group's members must meet one of the following criteria:
Be students aged 35 or younger.
Be recent graduates who completed their studies within the past five years.
Category 2: Emerging Artists from Equity-Deserving Communities
This category is intended for emerging artists aged 45 or younger from equity-deserving communities, including Black, Indigenous and other racialized artists, Francophone artists, 2SLGBTQI+ artists, artists with disabilities and other underrepresented communities.
Category 2 is primarily available to Canada-based applicants, in accordance with applicable funding requirements. Eligibility for applicants from the United States may vary depending on available funding.
8. Do I need to be a current student to apply?
Not necessarily.
Recent graduates may qualify under Category 1, while eligible emerging artists from equity-deserving communities may qualify under Category 2.
Please review the eligibility requirements for the category that applies to you or your group.
9. I'm a solo artist. Can I apply?
Yes, solo artists and duos are welcome to apply. However, our festival and concert series performances are reserved for groups of three or more musicians (trios or larger). Other EAA programs, as well as corporate and private events, may offer opportunities for solo and duo performances.
We recommend applying as a band whenever possible, as most of our performance opportunities are designed for bands. If a solo or duo performance opportunity becomes available, selected bands may also nominate one or two of their members to perform.
This approach allows musicians to be considered for a wider range of opportunities throughout the year.
10. Can musicians from outside Canada apply?
Yes. International musicians are welcome to apply, subject to the eligibility requirements of each submission category and the funding conditions of individual events.
Category 1: International students and recent graduates may apply if they meet the eligibility requirements.
Category 2: This category is primarily intended for artists based in Canada. Applicants from the United States may also be considered, depending on available funding.
As a small, community-based nonprofit organization, EAA generally cannot cover international airfare or other travel expenses. International artists are therefore responsible for arranging their own travel funding, including applying for touring grants available in their home countries. EAA may be able to provide guidance and supporting documentation to assist with these applications.
Accommodation may be provided through our partnership with Novotel North York, subject to availability and individual event arrangements.
We encourage international applicants to contact us before applying to discuss eligibility, travel funding and potential accommodation arrangements.
Submission Materials and Recordings
11. What do I need to submit?
Please prepare the following:
Music recordings: Up to three songs in .mp3 format only. Identify whether each recording is an original composition or an arrangement, and provide its recording date.
Artist biography: A brief biography of your band or musical project.
Promotional photographs: High-resolution photographs of your group and bandleader, preferably larger than 1 MB per image.
Online presence: A link to your band's official website or social media account. If your band does not have one, you may provide the bandleader's profile.
All materials must be submitted through the online application form.
12. Can I submit original compositions and arrangements?
Yes. Both original compositions and arrangements may be submitted.
For each recording, clearly identify whether it is:
Original Composition: Music composed by you or members of your group.
Arrangement: Your interpretation or adaptation of an existing musical work.
Please identify each recording accurately so the adjudicators can understand the nature of your work.
13. How recent do my recordings need to be?
All submitted recordings must have been made within the past three years.
Please include the recording date for each track. Older recordings are not eligible for consideration.
14. Do I need a professionally recorded demo?
No. Professional recording quality is not required.
Our adjudicators focus on the musical performance, including musicality, creativity, expression and technical ability, rather than the production quality of the recording.
15. What audio file formats are accepted?
Only .mp3 files are accepted.
Other audio formats, such as .wav, .m4a or .flac, will not be accepted. Please convert your recordings to .mp3 before submitting your application.
You may submit up to three recordings.
16. What if my band does not have a website or social media account?
You may provide your bandleader's professional website or social media profile instead.
The purpose of this information is to help EAA learn more about your work and contact or promote your group if selected.
Adjudication and Selection
17. How are applications evaluated?
Applications are evaluated based on two main areas:
General Performance
Dynamics and musical expression
Emotional communication
Rhythm, groove and ensemble performance
Musical Excellence
Musicality
Creativity and originality
Technical proficiency
Our goal is to identify emerging musicians who demonstrate artistic ability, musical development and strong performance potential.
18. Is the adjudication process anonymous?
Yes. EAA uses a blind, audio-only adjudication process.
Jurors receive the submitted recordings without identifying information such as artist names, band names or song titles.
Recordings are assigned identification numbers to help ensure that assessments focus on the music rather than the artist's background or reputation.
19. Who are the adjudicators?
Our adjudication panel consists of experienced musicians, music educators, professors and recognized professionals in the music industry.
The jurors' identities are generally kept confidential during the evaluation process and may be announced after the festival lineup is released.
20. When will I receive the results?
We aim to notify applicants of the T.U. Jazz Fest 2027 selection results by April 30, 2027.
Invitations for other EAA events and partner performances may be made at different times throughout the programming season.
Our team will contact musicians by email regarding relevant opportunities.
21. Does submitting an application guarantee a performance opportunity?
No. Submission makes your music eligible for consideration but does not guarantee selection or a performance booking.
Artist invitations depend on adjudication results, programming requirements, available performance slots, funding and individual event needs.
22. What happens if my group is selected?
An EAA representative will contact the bandleader or designated contact person to discuss the opportunity.
The next steps may include:
Confirming the group's interest and availability.
Reviewing the proposed performance date, location and compensation.
Providing any additional promotional or technical information.
Reviewing and signing a performance agreement.
Participating in the confirmed performance and related promotional activities, where applicable.
Additional participation opportunities may be offered upon availability.
Performance Opportunities
23. How long will my application remain in the EAA musician opportunity pool?
EAA's annual submission cycle generally covers one year of programming.
For the 2027 cycle, the intended consideration period is March 1, 2027, to February 29, 2028.
During this period, your submission may be considered for multiple EAA and partner performance opportunities. Selection for one event does not automatically guarantee selection for another.
24. When and where will T.U. Jazz Fest 2027 take place?
T.U. Jazz Fest 2027 is planned for September 3-6, 2027, over the Labour Day weekend, at Mel Lastman Square in Toronto.
Final performance schedules and event details will be announced closer to the festival.
25. What other performance opportunities may be available?
Depending on confirmed programming and partnerships, applicants may be considered for events such as:
T.U. Jazz Fest
Summer Live Music Festival
Willowdale Concert Series
Live Music on Yonge
Live Lounge Concert Series
WinterTide
North American Centre Courtyard Sessions
Other EAA-produced or partner-presented events
The number, location and availability of performances may vary from year to year.
Compensation and Benefits
26. Do musicians receive payment for their performances?
Yes. Providing paid performance opportunities for emerging musicians is one of EAA's primary objectives.
Performance arrangements and compensation will be discussed with selected artists before a booking is confirmed.
27. How much are musicians paid?
Performance fees vary depending on the event, funding, ensemble size, performance requirements and available budget.
As a nonprofit organization, EAA relies on government grants, sponsorships, partnerships and other revenue sources to support its programming.
We strive to provide fair compensation and follow recognized professional musician fee recommendations whenever feasible.
The applicable performance fee will be communicated before an artist accepts an engagement.
28. What are the benefits of participating in EAA programs?
Selected musicians may benefit from:
Paid performance opportunities: Invitations to perform at EAA festivals, concerts and partner events throughout the programming season.
Artist promotion: Opportunities for social media coverage, event marketing and media exposure.
Professional networking: Connections with fellow musicians, music educators, industry professionals and event organizers.
Performance documentation: Selected events may be professionally recorded, with videos shared through EAA's online platforms and YouTube channel.
Career development: Opportunities to gain stage experience, expand professional portfolios and develop relationships that may lead to future engagements.
Specific benefits depend on the event and available resources.
Contact Information
29. Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
For questions about eligibility, application requirements or musician submissions, please contact:
Please include "2027 Musician Submission Inquiry" in your email subject line.
We encourage applicants to review this FAQ before contacting our team.
Applications: https://forms.gle/9LV4mXQphNSPfoKy6
Submission deadline: December 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
No late submissions will be accepted.
