From June 21 – July 1, 2013 the Vancouver International Jazz Festival continued its musical domination of the city with 1,800 musicians and over 300 concerts (half of them 150 free).
A 73-year old Herbie Hancock headlined, and over “a two-and-a-half hour set that stunned the senses,” proved by why he is the master. (Vancouver Sun) Hancock just may be the modern godfather of jazz, going so far as to help found International Jazz Day on April 30th in 2011.
His appearance in this week’s Festival flashback is fitting given we’ve just entered the month of April, also referred to as Jazz Appreciation Month. In celebration we’ve created a line of eCards for you to share with fellow music lovers in your life. Each one supports Coastal Jazz. For as little as a $1 donation, you can spread the love of jazz while helping us with our mission to connect, transform, inspire and nurture artists and audiences through the joy, passion, and power of jazz.
Back to 2013.
The Vogue Series featured the a knockout line of contemporary artists like Michael Kaeshammer on a double bill with Latin music sensation Alex Cuba, Grammy winning singer/bassist Esperanza Spalding, the John Scofield Überjam Band, jazz legend,“sax titan” David Murray’s Infinity Quartet with the distinctive vocals of Macy Gray and Dr. John & the Nite Trippers. The latter had just resurfaced on the scene after winning a Grammy for Best Blues Album “Locked Down” album, produced by Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach.
Pianist Vijay Iyer’s trio played Performance Works where “Iyer displayed a rich left hand, keeping the ground shifting under each piece.” (Vancouver Sun). Gregory Porter displayed his smooth and smoky baritone in a show billed as “An Evening with…” while pianist/vocalist Patricia Barber brought her prodigious skills to the stage. (Fun fact – her father played in Glenn Miller’s band.)
Toronto’s BADBADNOTGOOD had just gone viral thanks to a shout-out from Tyler the Creator (of infamous hip hop collective Odd Future), so their show on the free stage at the Festival’s Downtown Jazz Weekend would have been a real treat for early fans in the know. Twelve years later they’d return to the Festival to play a sold-out show at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
The 2013 Innovation Series offered an impressive 22 concerts at Ironworks and the Roundhouse, presenting music at the creative edges of the global jazz scene with artists from Canada, Brooklyn and beyond. Mind blowing saxophonist Colin Stetson was back with a solo set at the Venue, as well as collaborating with Gordon Grdina’s Trio. And as the Vancouver Sun noted, “Vancouver talent (from Peggy Lee and Brad Turner to Ali Milner, David “Boxcar” Gates, Pugs & Crows and the V. Vecker Ensemble) was peppered throughout.” (Vancouver Sun)
International highlights included a “Made in the UK” series featuring acts like the Julian Arguelles Quartet and Phronesis, considered one of the most imaginative and exciting piano trios of the day. A Spotlight on French Jazz offered up French American Peace Ensemble, featuring Francois Tusques joined by three French improvisers.
⚠️ Trigger warning ⚠️
In retrospect, there’s one element of the 2013 fest that didn’t age well, and that was its theme – Vitamin J. Illustrated by a bottle of white pills spilling onto a surface, each one bearing the Coastal Jazz logo, the explanation that “clinical results show it guards against bad taste in music and reduces boredom, while increasing your rhythm quotient and appreciation of all things jazz” feels beyond cringe-worthy today. But in fairness, it was a different time. While the fentanyl crisis had already started to take root then, Vancouver was still years away from it being declared a public health emergency. We recognize the devastating toll it has taken since then on countless families in B.C. and across Canada.
Head to Instagram or Facebook to view the entire 2013 Festival schedule.
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Mark your calendars for the 40th anniversary Vancouver International Jazz Festival this June 20 – July 1, 2025. Catch up on all our festival flashbacks here. Do you have a great festival memory? Share your story with us.
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