The Ottawa Jazz Festival has officially announced the lineup for its Winter Jazz Festival, from February 2 to 4, 2012 – a mixture of mostly Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa ensembles, with some familiar faces and some who haven't been here (at least not leading their own groups) for years.

The biggest concert will feature veteran jazz pianist Oliver Jones and his trio, playing at Dominion Chalmers United Church on Saturday evening (February 4). The quirkiest is likely to be the IMOO Orchestra, led by percussionist Jesse Stewart and building out of the regular Improvising Musicians of Ottawa/Outaouais Sunday free jazz nights (February 4, 3 p.m., Club SAW).

And there's one American group: the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, a group which combines jazz with more traditional African instrumentation and rhythms and originated in the Chicago free jazz movements in the 1960s. It will be making its annual February appearance at the Mercury Lounge, and is also included in the series (February 4, 9:30 p.m.).

Highlights for those looking for modern Canadian jazz from out of town include:

• Montreal alto saxophonist Rémi Bolduc and his Jazz Ensemble (February 2, 8:30 p.m., NAC Fourth Stage)
• Montreal alto saxophonist Christine Jensen and her sister, NYC trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, and their quartet (February 3, 8:30 p.m., NAC Fourth Stage)
• Toronto tenor saxophonist Quinsin Nachoff and his quartet (February 3, 10 p.m., NAC Fourth Stage)

There's also a number of accomplished local jazz artists on the roster, who have been well-received at the free local stages at the Jazz Festival:

• guitarist René Gely's Pulse Mondiale Group (February 2, 7 p.m., NAC Fourth Stage)
• tenor saxophonist Mike Tremblay and pianist/trombonist Mark Ferguson and their quartet (February 3, 7 p.m., NAC Fourth Stage)
• vocalists Megan Jerome and Renée Yoxon (February 4, 5 p.m., Café Paradiso)

In other Festival news, the Festival is offering a special Christmas deal on passes. For ten days, starting on Dec. 15, Gold Passes will be on sale at 2011 prices. The line-up of the festival will not be announced until 2012 (traditionally in April).

UPDATE December 15: The Festival is now saying that the advance sale on Gold Passes will only be available to Festival members.

UPDATE December 26: The Festival has announced special ticket packages for the Winter Jazzfest. You can buy tickets to any three concerts at the National Arts Centre Fourth Stage for $45 (essentially three for two). So you can see the entire Friday night, or mix and match. This deal is only available directly from the Festival and not online: phone 613-241-2633.

See also:

• Pulse Mondiale warms up the Winter 2012 Ottawa Jazz Festival
  
• Jensen / Geggie / Olin Trio: jazz flowing out into the quiet
  
• Jazzfest 2011: Megan Jerome brings unusual instrumentation and songs to Rendez-Vous Rideau Jazz Stage
  
• Jazzfest 2011: Renée Yoxon and René Gely
  
• Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra at the Ottawa Jazz Festival
  
• Sax concert attracts packed house