The City of Brantford honoured Frank and Nancy DiFelice, founders and producers of the Brantford International Jazz Festival, during an event at the Sanderson Centre for Performing Arts on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
The DiFelices, who are longtime musicians themselves, first started producing the Brantford Downtown Jazz series back in April of 1998. As the monthly event continued to increase in popularity, they later launched the Brantford International Jazz Festival in September 2008 alongside Peter MacNames.
Over the years, the festival brought in artists like Frank Sinatra Jr., Manhattan Transfer, the Count Basie Orchestra, Al Jarreau, Chuck Magione, Peter Appleyard, the Glen Miller Orchestra, Guido Basso, Joey DeFrancesco, Matt Dusk and more.
Early on, the festival attracted around 8,000 visitors, eventually hitting up to 25,000 people during its three-day run and ultimately boosted tourism, putting the city on the map as a destination for live music.
Last month, Brantford city council unanimously approved a resolution, moved by Ward 4 Councillor Richard Carpenter, to officially recognize the couple’s 26-year-long legacy with a commemorative plaque and special event
Although the two officially said goodbye to the festival with a farewell event last November, their new plaque, which will be permanently displayed on the Local Music Recognition Wall inside the Sanderson Centre, will forever honour the DiFelices’ contributions to the city’s cultural and musical life.
During the special event, friends, family, elected officials and several community members gathered together to celebrate both Frank and Nancy.
“Frank and Nancy, thank you for the 26-plus years you devoted to enriching our community with music and culture,” said Larry Brock, MP for Brantford-Brant South-Six Nations. “Your vision and initiative in founding the Brantford International Jazz Festival, brought world class talent into our city, drawing thousands of fans from near and far. Your passion, your dedication and tireless efforts have given music lovers a chance to experience outstanding performances, and we are deeply grateful for all you’ve done. Your legacy will live on right here in this beautiful theatre in the heart of Downtown where you held the jazz festival.”
Carpenter added that it was the DiFelices’ passion for the music that made their events so special.
“Frank and Nancy didn’t just bring music to Brantford, they brought people together,” he said. “Their events became a stage not only for internationally renowned performers, but also for local talent, helping to nurture our own arts community and inspire a new generation of musicians who love jazz. They told stories through music, bridging generations, building connections and enriching the cultural heritage of Brantford.”
Frank and Nancy later reflected on fond memories of the festival, and thanked everyone who had ever been involved in their events, as well as the city for organizing the evening’s celebration.
“We’re so humbled by what’s happened here tonight,” said Frank. “I can’t believe it; this is just really beautiful. …The Brantford International Jazz Festival is something that Nancy and I will never ever, ever forget so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
