Jazz Festival organizer, Howard Rees—a Toronto-born, New York-trained jazz pianist with deep ties to Bay of Quinte Country reached out to the City of Belleville, Bay of Quinte Tourism, the Quinte Arts Council, and the Belleville BIA who embraced his vision with enthusiasm. Based on earlier success directing festivals in the Distillery District of Toronto, and a vocal jazz collaboration with the Hastings Prince Edward School Board in 2019, Howard felt the time was right.