Core Staff
Fatima Amarshi
Executive Director
Born and raised in Mwanza, Tanzania, Fatima first fell in love with jazz upon her arrival in Toronto in 1986 when she came across Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue”. Trained as a social scientist, the lure of the arts world couldn’t be held at bay for long. After a short stint in the world of cultural anthropology, Fatima made her way onto Toronto’s burgeoning arts and cultural scene cutting her teeth as an ED at the leading-edge Desh Pardesh Festival almost 12 years ago and ultimately managing one of Canada’s largest festivals – Pride Toronto, a 10-day event drawing over 1.2 million people annually – before making the move to Vancouver. Drawn by the allure of jazz in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, surrounded by a passionate team of staff, volunteers and board members, this East Coast gal has officially succumbed to the charms of BC and is thrilled to call Vancouver her new home.
Associate Director
Having spent over 20 years in the music business, 15 of them in Vancouver, Alex has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. Alex spent 11 years as a talent agent at Canada’s largest agency SL Feldman & Associates and then went onto program the contemporary music for the 2009-2010 Cultural Olympiad and the Olympic Live Sites. Alex joined Coastal Jazz in 2011 as Associate Director.
Ken Pickering
Artistic Director
Native Vancouverite & festival co-founder, Ken’s backstory begins in the late 60’s; Vancouver Jazz Society, travels to Berlin Jazz Fest & London, NYC, Black Swan Records, COOP Radio & improvised music concerts at the Western Front led to the VIJF. An untiring advocate dedicated to the ongoing development of national (Westcan Jazz, Jazz Festivals Canada) & international networks (International Jazz Festival Organization [IJFO], European Jazz Network [EJN], JazzAhead) has been key in bringing the festival global recognition for innovative programming.
Media Director
I’ve had the fever since my teenage years; fell in love with all manner of music but found the greatest source of pleasure and inspiration in jazz. Here was sensuality, spirit and intelligence all in one beautiful package. While in university at SFU I became the Vancouver correspondent for CODA jazz magazine. Along the way, got a dream gig as a jazz DJ with Vancouver’s glorious but short-lived 24-hour commercial jazz radio station CJAZ. At the same time I was hosting and continue to host a weekly afternoon drive jazz radio program on CFRO 100.5 FM called “The Wild Years.” At CFRO, with kindred spirits including great friend Ken Pickering, the idea of forming Coastal Jazz and the Jazz Festival came to fruition. The rest, as they say, is history.
Judie Dahl
Marketing Director
*Live Loud*Work Hard*Create*Innovate*Sing*Dance*Play Hard*Love*
Judie is a Marketing Executive who is driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for branding, deciphering consumer attitudes, innovation, creativity and the “art” of advertising. That passion has led her to the ongoing discoveries of Internet Marketing, Social Media and all things digital. She specializes in helping businesses build meaningful brands while increasing bottom lines. An exciting career has included gigs at Canada’s Wonderland, Cirque du Soleil, Labatt’s sports & music, The Vancouver Sun, HMV, Rick Hansen Foundation…
Rainbow Robert
Manager of Artistic Programming
Rainbow Robert has been involved with the jazz and creative music community in Canada for the past 14 years through her work with Jazz Festivals Canada (JFC) and Coastal Jazz and Blues Society (Coastal Jazz). Rainbow is fascinated by irreverent music, and will not avert her gaze when music and community collide. In her role as Executive Director of JFC, Robert continually strives to find new ways to support not-for-profit societies in presenting festivals that are dynamic and relevant within their respective communities. Rainbow sits on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Arts Presenting Association (CAPACOA) and the Vancouver Independent Music Centre (VIM). She has adjudicated for the Juno Awards, the Dorris Duke Foundation, and the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR). Rainbow is a relentless proponent of strange, beautiful, heavy music.
Eduardo Ottoni
Operations Director
Eduardo has worked for many arts organizations over the last 15 years. After moving to Vancouver from Montreal in 1994, he began his career at Coastal Jazz as a volunteer stage tech, has subsequently worked every position in Production, and is now the Operations Director. Eduardo is a musician; he loves good food, people and wine.
Jen Thomas
Operations Manager
Jen joined Coastal Jazz in 2009, entering the festival scene from a background in live event production, manufacturing, & catering. Now she stands against the forces of darkness, getting folks the stuff they need to do their jobs and reminding people that when their technology is behaving oddly, restarting almost always fixes it right up.
Kelly Creelman
Office Manager
Kelly started life in the interior of B.C. as part of a large musical family so it’s no surprise that she’s ended up as part of the Coastal Jazz scene. A Studio 58 Professional Theatre Production Grad, she has enjoyed the opportunity to work with many amazing local and international arts organization.
Phil Daum
Business Manager
I've been with Coastal in different capacities since 1989 as a transpo volunteer, crew chief, coordinator and, now, in finance. When I'm not putting beans into orderly piles I love to dance, train in martial arts, travel, experience live performances and enjoy adventures in the outdoors. I dig the work I'm doing, why I'm doing it and who I'm doing it with.
Jeff Turner
Accountant
Jeff has a long association with The Coastal Jazz and Blues Society dating back to his volunteer days for the 1986 Festival. From 1987-1999 Jeff was the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society's Business Manager and became the society's accountant in November 1999. Jeff is also owner of the Vancouver based booking agency/event promotion business The Jeff Turner Entertainment Group.
OUR JAZZ FRIENDS
