Some performances leave you with a favourite song. Others leave you remembering how the whole room felt.


At the Rocena Kidney Foundation’s 4th Annual Gala on October 3, 2026, Ottawa saxophonist Jay Wura gave guests plenty of both.


Held at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre, the evening’s African Night theme found a fitting soundtrack in Jay’s performance of three modern Afropop hits. His warm saxophone sound carried familiar melodies through the room, and the response was immediate: guests dancing in their seats, movement in the aisles, and phones coming out to record the moment.

Woman in vibrant red African print dress and green heels smiles at an elegant indoor banquet event.
Woman in red floral off-shoulder dress and blue headwrap poses at elegant banquet hall event.
Guests seated at decorated tables during a formal banquet event, with table number 10 visible in a large hall.
Diverse group of elegantly dressed guests smiling at a round banquet table decorated with yellow flowers at a formal event.

From behind my camera, those reactions were a delight to capture. A photograph can show a musician performing, but the surrounding faces tell you how that performance landed. During Jay’s segment, there was plenty happening on both sides of the lens.


His set also earned praise from the evening’s MC, Tony Francis, adding to the appreciation already visible throughout the room.


What stood out to me was how naturally Jay’s music complemented the occasion. At a gala bringing people together around community and purpose, he created a shared moment of celebration. Guests could enjoy the songs, move with the music, and carry a little of the evening home on their phones.

Man playing alto saxophone on a wooden dance floor at an indoor event with seated guests in background.
A saxophonist performs for guests at an elegant banquet hall event with white chair covers and decorative draping.
Man in gray outfit playing alto saxophone on wooden dance floor at an elegant event with decorative backdrop.
Saxophonist performing live at an elegant banquet hall dinner event with guests seated at round tables.
A saxophonist performs at an indoor event, with motion-blurred guests seated at white-draped tables in the background.
Saxophonist performing at an elegant banquet hall event with balloon decorations and seated guests.

Having photographed Jay before, it was a pleasure to see him delight another room. For anyone considering live saxophone music for an Ottawa gala, wedding, or cultural celebration, this performance offered a memorable glimpse of what he can bring.


Three songs. A room full of movement. Plenty of reasons to remember the night.