Mike Field Quintet brings upbeat jazz to East Gwillimbury arts festival

Toronto trumpeter Mike Field and his quintet will perform a free outdoor set Saturday, Sept. 26, at East Gwillimbury’s Celebrating the Arts festival. The hourlong concert mixes original jazz, world music, singer-songwriter material and rock, with the event open to all ages at the Health and Active Living Plaza.

Why it matters: - The free concert adds a live jazz performance to East Gwillimbury’s Celebrating the Arts festival, giving families and festivalgoers an accessible way to experience original music outdoors. - The set brings together jazz, world music, singer-songwriter sounds and rock, broadening the festival’s musical range. - The performance is part of Ontario Culture Days, connecting the concert to a larger provincial arts celebration.

What happened: - Mike Field Quintet performs Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. at the Health and Active Living Plaza, 160 Jim Mortson Drive, in East Gwillimbury, Ontario. - Admission is free, and the concert is open to all ages. - The quintet appears on the HALP Stage and Entertainment Pavilion during Celebrating the Arts. - The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and includes live entertainment, art, cultural activities, local artisans and food trucks.

The details: - The set features mostly original compositions, plus a couple of jazz standards. - Field will switch between trumpet, guitar and vocals during the performance. - The music will move between instrumental jazz, world music, singer-songwriter material and touches of rock. - The quintet includes Pat Smith on tenor saxophone, Duncan Wilson on keys, Chris Parnis on upright bass and Lowell Whitty on drums. - The concert is outdoors, rain or shine. - A backup location is available if thunderstorms force a move indoors. - Festival organizers are encouraging attendees to bring a lawn chair or blanket and stay for the full hour. - More festival information and the full schedule are available through festival details and full schedule. - Media materials include the official Traffic Police music video, the official Bad Lessons music video, and high-resolution photos, audio clips and press materials.

Between the lines: - The booking fits a festival format built for casual, daytime discovery rather than a ticketed club show. - Field’s mix of original writing and multiple instruments signals a performance aimed at listeners who want variety and improvisation. - The outdoor, all-ages setup lowers the barrier for people who may not regularly attend jazz concerts.

What's next: - Attendees can catch the quintet on Saturday afternoon as part of the larger Celebrating the Arts lineup. - The festival’s rain-or-shine plan means the performance should go on even if weather changes. - Field’s latest album, Nashland, extends his focus on upbeat original jazz compositions inspired by classic standards.

The bottom line: - East Gwillimbury gets a free, family-friendly jazz performance with global influences, live improvisation and a strong local festival backdrop.