The Medicine Hat JazzFest announces its new Executive and Artistic Directors!
Gerry Hebert will be the new Executive Director and Kodi Hutchinson will be the new Artistic Director.
As the production team for Calgary’s JazzYYC Festivals, Gerry and Kodi bring years of experience to these positions in booking, managing and presenting a jazz festival. Both are well known in the jazz world, not only for their roles with JazzYYC, but as two of the top jazz musicians in western Canada.
As long-time members of the Jazz Festival’s Canada network that includes all of the major jazz festivals across Canada, both Kodi and Gerry are well positioned to take advantage of the synergies of running two closely associated festivals.
Of his new position as Executive Director of the Medicine Hat JazzFest, Gerry says “I am thrilled to step into the role of Executive Director for the Medicine Hat JazzFest. This festival has a rich history of bringing incredible music and community together, and I am excited to continue this great tradition. With the support of our amazing team and community, I look forward to building on the festival’s success and creating unforgettable experiences for all who attend.”
Regarding his new role as Artistic Director of the Medicine Hat JazzFest, Kodi says, “I am so excited to be a part of this amazing festival that Lyle and his team have worked so hard to make an important part of the community. With my long-standing connections to the city and under Lyle’s guidance, I look forward to bringing continued amazing experiences to Medicine Hat!”
Medicine Hat JazzFest founding member and long-time Executive/Artistic Director, Lyle Rebbeck, will also be staying on the team as Administrative Advisor.
Lyle says, “I have worked closely with both Kodi and Gerry for many years, and having them take on the production of our festival is the best possible scenario. With their vast professional experience in festival production, their connection to the other Canadian jazz festivals and jazz artists around the world, the Medicine Hat JazzFest is well poised to continue its great tradition and its position as one of the major jazz festivals in Canada.”
Gerry and Kodi are assuming their roles with the Medicine Hat JazzFest immediately, and are anxious to get to work preparing JazzFest 2025!
Medicine Hat JazzFest 2025 runs June 17-22, 2025.
Gerry Hebert
Gerry Hebert served as Artistic Director of the Beat Niq Jazz & Social Club in Calgary from 2001 to 2012. He has managed and directed the Calgary Youth Jazz Band. He served two terms as president of the Calgary Musician’s Association and was on the board of JazzYYC for 8 years before assuming his present position as Operations Manager in 2022.
Gerry started the saxophone in the school bands in Fort McMurray. After attending Grande Prairie Regional College, completing a 2-year diploma in music performance, he graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Calgary in 1990. Gerry has also studied saxophone in Paris and at the Banff Centre. He is a founding member of the Swinging Bovines, a professional Saxophone Quartet that recorded and toured for many years. He has released 3 CD’s with his own quartet and appeared on 25 other recordings.
Kodi Hutchinson
Kodi Hutchinson is one of the most active double bassists in Western Canada and professionals in the Canadian Jazz scene. In addition to serving as the Executive Artistic Director for JazzYYC, Kodi leads his own musical group, the Hutchinson Andrew Trio, hosts the CKUA radio show “A Time For Jazz,” and runs his JIUNO-winning record label, Chronograph Records.
Kodi’s journey into jazz began during his time at the University of Calgary, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce. However, his true passion led him to pursue a full-time career in music. After several stints at the renowned summer jazz program at the Banff Centre for the Arts, Kodi established himself as one of Alberta’s top call bassists. He is a recipient of the prestigious TD Grand Jazz Award from the Montreal Jazz Festival and an 8-time Western Canadian Music Award nominee, both as an artist and industry professional.
Kodi is no stranger to Medicine Hat audiences, having performed here multiple times over the years with notable artists like Lee Konitz, Laila Biali, Tommy Banks, Jens Lindemann, and with his own Hutchinson Andrew Trio. He has also frequently served as the MC for JazzFest shows and has hosted the JazzFest media launch on several occasions.
The name Hutchinson may be familiar to Medicine Hat residents. Kodi’s father, Ken Hutchinson, ran Hutchinson Architect Ltd. in Medicine Hat for over 25 years and was instrumental in designing and facilitating numerous buildings throughout the city, including the Medicine Hat Public Library Expansion, The Big Marble Go Centre, Holy Family Parish, and the Saamis Teepee, a landmark in Medicine Hat.