Main Event Musicians 2026
Main Event: Saturday, September 19, 2026, at The Gladstone Theatre
All ages can attend.
Jake DeMarsh
Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
Jake DeMarsh’s journey from addiction to advocacy is a compelling narrative. After overcoming heroin addiction in 2019, he has become a prominent figure in the music industry, using his platform to raise awareness and support for mental health and addiction issues. His music blends various styles, drawing inspiration from bands like The Glorious Sons, Kings of Leon, and Lenny Kravitz. DeMarsh’s work has been recognized with nominations for the “Newcomer of the Year” at the 2023 Capital Music Awards. He continues to perform and share his message through music, aiming to break the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health.
Jake will be opening our Main Event at the Gladstone Theatre on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
Photographer: Tom Rose Grossmans
Photographer: Bill King
Jesse Greene
Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Ottawa’s Jesse Greene cuts through with guitar fire and a voice soaked with blues tradition. Her influences – Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Bessie Smith – shape a style that is both raw and commanding. Greene was a finalist at the International Blues Challenge and received the 2024 Amy Louie Grossman scholarship for artist development.
Live, she channels ferocity and soul, bending every note into something deeply personal. She currently lives in Toronto and is working on her next releases and a new studio album.
Jesse will be performing at our Main Event with Jeff Aislinn (drums) and Dave Schroeder (bass) and…
Charlotte McAfee-Brunner
(aka Trombone Charlotte)
Charlotte McAfee-Brunner (aka Trombone Charlotte) is an award-winning trombonist, bandleader and vocalist. She has been making waves on the Toronto and New Orleans music scene. Accomplished in several musical styles, she continues to perform as a sideman with many other excellent groups in Toronto, infusing any room with an undeniable energy. With her heart-stopping vocals and compelling trombone solos, Charlotte McAfee-Brunner is a jazz musician and performer you won’t forget.