Coastal Jazz | Vancouver International Jazz Festival

See You Now
2023-06-23 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Vancouver) | Ocean Artworks, 1531 Johnston Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V3E 2T1, Canada
A new ensemble that leans mystical, See You Now explores the kind of expansive territories travelled by Pharaoh Sanders, Sun Ra, Sonny Sharrock, and late-career John Coltrane.
Veterans of the West Coast improv scene, guitarist Tony Wilson and JUNO Award-winning bassist Russell Sholberg join some of its freshest voices in Gordy Li sax, Feven Kidane trumpet, and Kai Basanta drums.

Bill Coon Trio
2023-06-23 19:00 - 23:00 | La Fabrique St. George Winery, 7 E 7th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5T 1M4, Canada
The Bill Coon Trio explores jazz standards and originals, showcasing their shared love of improvisation, beautiful melodies, and groove-based songs. These three talented musicians relish creating music together and revel in the trio’s magical interplay. While Bill Coon’s playing is steeped in blues and post-bop, his sound and soulful approach are unique and engaging. Conrad Good plays bass with verve and precision, and when he solos, you hear that he’s a superb improvisor. Joe Poole is a drummer’s drummer, excelling in a diverse range of jazz styles, and always playing the perfect groove. His solos are full of wit and wonderful surprises. The Bill Coon Trio features Bill Coon archtop guitar, Conrad Good acoustic bass, Joe Poole drums.

Liturgy with BIG|BRAVE + Farida Amadou (solo)
2023-06-23 19:00 - 23:55 | Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5T 3C9, Canada
Liturgy
Sonically and conceptually dense, Liturgy’s ferocious and transcendental black metal exists in a liminal space between experimental music and sacred ritual; a place where the power and dynamism of symphonic forms, urgent sheets of distorted guitar, pummeling burst beats, and passionate, throat-strafing vocals manifest the ecstatic with breathtaking grandeur.
Founded in Brooklyn by vocalist/guitarist Ravenna Hunt-Hendrix, the group’s meticulous rhythmic complexity and unyielding, trance-inducing use of repetition is pushed to maximalist proportions on the new album 93696. With guitarist Mario Miron, bassist Tia Vincent-Clark, and drummer Leo Didkovsky, Hunt-Hendrix reflects the awe of the unknowable and celebrates what revelations and mysteries lie ahead.

BIG|BRAVE
Harnessing an earthen heaviness of distorted textural drones, austere bombast, and guitarist Robin Wattie’s heart-rending voice, BIG|BRAVE is at the forefront of reconfiguring the landscape of heavy music. With guitarist Mathieu Ball and drummer Tasy Hudson, the elemental Montréal ensemble brandishes density and sparseness like weapons in their emotional elegies for the disenfranchised.

Farida Amadou (solo)
Belgian bassist Farida Amadou uses electronics and extended technique to conjure abstracted sounds that move from miniscule to overwhelming.
Venue 19+ (No Minors)

Charly Lowry
2023-06-23 19:30 - 21:00 | West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Dr, West Vancouver, British Columbia, V7V 1J8, Canada
Musical powerhouse Charly Lowry wows listeners with her jaw-dropping vocal range. The proud Native American is passionate about raising awareness about the plight of her people, which pairs perfectly with her quartet’s potent blues, rock, soul and intense folk tunes. “She’s awesome! What a voice, what heart, what soul!” – GRAMMY winner Rhiannon Giddens.

Trumpet Summit with Drum Legend Roy McCurdy
2023-06-23 20:00 - 23:00, 2023-06-24 20:00 - 23:00 | Frankie’s Jazz Club, 755 Beatty Sreet, Vancouver, BC, V6B 2M4, Canada
Formed in 2010 after decades of musical mentorship, friendship and collaboration, the East-West Trumpet Summit is led by two of the more dynamic and versatile trumpeters anywhere, Ray Vega & Thomas Marriott. Continuing the tradition of fabled trumpet duos that include Joe Oliver & Louis Armstrong, Fats Navarro & Howard McGhee, and Freddie Hubbard & Woody Shaw, the East-West Trumpet Summit is a celebration of fellowship and teamwork. With Thomas Marriott and Ray Vega trumpet, John Lee bass, Tilden Webb piano and legendary Roy McCurdy drums.

The Fits
2023-06-23 20:30 - 21:00 | Ocean Artworks, 1531 Johnston Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V3E 2T1, Canada
A long-time project of pianist/vocalist Veda Hille and vocalist Patsy Klein, The Fits will take any song from anywhere and mash it up against six more. Tight harmonies, bouncy piano, and a general air of confusion follow The Fits wherever they go, whether they sing high, or whether they sing low. Short and sweet in so many ways, The Fits look forward to singing at you with abandon.

Anthem Sounds of Youth Stage
2023-06-24 - 2023-06-25 | Sounds of Youth Stage, Robson Square, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Come hear BC’s burgeoning young talent!
Music education is an essential part of the jazz ecosystem, and this initiative showcases some of the best high school jazz combos and big bands from Metro Vancouver and around the province. With great young players and dedicated educators stepping up to the Festival stage, it’s always a highlight of the Downtown Jazz weekend.
Saturday, June 24:
12:00PM | Magee Secondary Senior Jazz Ensemble
1:15PM | Holy Cross Senior Jazz Ensemble
2:30PM | Lord Tweedsmuir Senior Jazz Ensemble
3:45PM | École Salish Senior Jazz Ensemble
5:00PM | Semiahmoo Grade 11 Jazz Ensemble
Sunday, June 25:
12:00PM | Gleneagle Senior Jazz Ensemble
1:15PM | Robert Bateman Senior Jazz Ensemble
2:30PM | Gladstone Senior Jazz Ensemble
3:45PM | VSO School of Music Jazz Sextet
5:00PM | Langley Fine Arts Senior Jazz Ensemble
Presented by:

Jesse James Bonanza
2023-06-24 12:30 - 13:30 | Downtown – Georgia Street Stage, 850 W Georgia St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 2H7, Canada
Inspired by the Latin-infused ’70s “groove jazz” of Bobby Hutcherson and Joe Chambers, Jesse James Bonanza is a rich tapestry of beautiful melodies and energetic rhythms. Featuring James Danderfer sax/bass clarinet, Jesse Cahill drums, Chris Davis trumpet, Tilden Webb piano, Jodi Proznick bass, and Jack Duncan percussion.
The free Downtown Jazz concert series takes place outside the Vancouver Art Gallery and šxwƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25. The Georgia Street Stage sits near the corner of Hornby and West Georgia Streets.

Nazih Borish with Joutou/Silk Road
2023-06-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Civic Plaza (North Vancouver), 126 14th St W, North Vancouver, British Columbia, V7M 2M9, Canada
Enthusiasm for connections within the worlds of Arabic, flamenco, Indian and jazz music drives the dazzling performances of Montreal-based oud virtuoso Nazih Borish, whose new style of playing compliments collaborators for this show, Vancouver’s Joutou (also known as Silk Road) — whose own globetrotting music incorporates Asian, Middle Eastern and, for good measure, Quebecois traditions.

Brad Turner Trio
2023-06-24 14:00 - 16:00 | La Fabrique St. George Winery, 7 E 7th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5T 1M4, Canada
Trumpeter, pianist, drummer and composer Brad Turner is one of Canada’s most highly
esteemed jazz musicians. Brad has performed and/or recorded with such artists as Joe Lovano,
Bill Frisell, John Scofield, Renee Rosnes, Peter Bernstein, Ingrid Jensen, Peggy Lee, Dan Weiss,
Mike Murley, Seamus Blake, Christine Jensen, Charles McPherson, Quincy Davis, Scott Robinson
and Neil Swainson.
Brad is a three-time Juno Award winner for his work in the internationally acclaimed electric
jazz group Metalwood. Brad was awarded the 2006 Victor Lynch-Staunton Prize for excellence
in musical achievement and in 2014 was the recipient of the Vancouver Mayor’s Art Award for
music. Brad is a member of the jazz studies faculty at Capilano University in North Vancouver, B.C.

Mali Obomsawin Quartet
2023-06-24 14:15 - 15:15 | Downtown – Georgia Street Stage, 850 W Georgia St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 2H7, Canada
Award-winning bassist/vocalist/composer Mali Obomsawin couples dissonance with sanctity, Indigenous folk songs from her Odanak First Nation community with cutting-edge modern jazz and improvisation. With Evan Woodle drums, Magdalena Abrego guitar, and Allison Burik reeds, Obomsawin foregrounds distinctly Indigenous contributions to jazz music, giving audiences a unique opportunity to reflect on the Indigenous history of the eastern provinces and coastal US.
The free Downtown Jazz concert series takes place outside the Vancouver Art Gallery and šxwƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25. The Georgia Street Stage sits near the corner of Hornby and West Georgia Streets.

Brekky Boy
2023-06-24 15:45 - 16:45 | Downtown – Georgia Street Stage, 850 W Georgia St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 2H7, Canada
Montreux Jazz Award nominees Brekky Boy are a powerhouse electronic jazz trio from Sydney, Australia. Led by keyboardist Taylor Davis, their “bubbling, off-kilter grooves, displaced beats and superimposed time signatures” (Sydney Morning Herald) call to mind energy-conduit virtuosi like Tigran Hamasyan, GoGo Penguin, and Robert Glasper. Locked-in with bassist Ryan Hurst and Alex Hirlian drums, Brekky Boy’s grooves are mathy, invigorating, and damn fun.
The free Downtown Jazz concert series takes place outside the Vancouver Art Gallery and šxwƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25. The Georgia Street Stage sits near the corner of Hornby and West Georgia Streets.

Will Clements' COMPASS
2023-06-24 16:00 - 17:30 | Ocean Artworks, 1531 Johnston Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V3E 2T1, Canada
Formerly of Montréal, and before that Paraguay, Vancouver-based vocalist Will Clements explores love, placelessness, and home through a queer lens. With a fine quintet of local talents, plus global influences ranging from traditional swing music to South American-inspired sounds, Will’s “sense of swing as a singer is totally effortless and in-the-pocket” (CBC Music).

STORRY
2023-06-24 17:30 - 18:45 | Downtown – Georgia Street Stage, 850 W Georgia St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 2H7, Canada
STORRY is a queer, feminist, left-brained multidisciplinary artist whose debut concept album CH III: The Come Up was nominated for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year at the 2021 JUNOs. Though rooted in raw, honest R&B and soul, STORRY is at home in everything from opera to reggae (her 2020 JUNO-nominated single Another Man was produced by reggae royalty Sly & Robbie!).
The free Downtown Jazz concert series takes place outside the Vancouver Art Gallery and šxwƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25. The Georgia Street Stage sits near the corner of Hornby and West Georgia Streets.

Lido Pimienta
2023-06-24 19:30 - 21:00 | Downtown – Georgia Street Stage, 850 W Georgia St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 2H7, Canada
Toronto-based, Colombian-born Polaris Prize winner Lido Pimienta’s ecstatic hybridity and “bold, brash, polarizing” (Globe and Mail) politics of gender, race, and identity explode pre-conceived notions of what a Latine pop artist ought to be, while her mind-bending voice and live looping lead a musical journey from traditional Afro-Colombian percussion to global bass and darker avant-garde electronic sounds. With Brandon Valdivia (US Girls, Mas Aya) drums/percussion.
The free Downtown Jazz concert series takes place outside the Vancouver Art Gallery and šxwƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25. The Georgia Street Stage sits near the corner of Hornby and West Georgia Streets.

Sun Ra Arkestra
2023-06-24 19:30 - 22:30 | Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3R8, Canada
An enormous influence on generations of avant-jazz players—as well as artists ranging from Sonic Youth to Solange—the visionary Afrofuturism pioneer Sun Ra released over a hundred albums between the mid-1950s and his departure for Saturn in 1993. But the Sun Ra Arkestra continues to beam Ra’s cosmic messages around our humble planet, sometimes collecting mementos like a 2022 GRAMMY nomination for their album Swirling, which was called “challenging but intoxicating” by The Guardian, and “a total joy” by The Wire.
Known for melding Ellingtonian big band swing, transcendent free jazz, dancing, chanting, and lavishly-outfitted Afro-pageantry, the 13-piece Arkestra will touch down to make sure Ra’s “Afrofuturist ideas and concepts are still hurtling through space at light speed” (Rolling Stone).
—
The Sun Ra Arkestra features Noel Scott alto and tenor saxes, Vincent Chancey French horn, Elson Nascimento percussion/surdo, Tyler Mitchell bass, Wayne Smith drums, Cecil Brooks trumpet, James Stewart tenor sax, Tara Middleton vocals, D. Hotep guitar, Dave Davies trombone, Farid Barron piano, Beavin Lawrence baritone sax, Kevin Batchelor trumpet.

Molly Johnson
2023-06-24 20:00 - 23:00 | SFU’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 W. Hastings St., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Vocal shape-shifter Molly Johnson’s wonderfully instinctual blend of funk, soul and jazz recalls the deep vibe of Mavis Staples and the sassy edge of Betty Davis. Johnson’s fans include Nelson Mandela, Quincy Jones and the late Princess of Wales, who’ve attended her legendary shows. With Mike Downes bass and Robi Botos piano.

Nightcrawlers
2023-06-24 20:30 - 21:30 | Ocean Artworks, 1531 Johnston Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V3E 2T1, Canada
In Nightcrawlers, the vibe of the great 1960s Hammond B3 organ bands is very much alive and well. Inspired by Brother Jack McDuff, Big John Patton, and Booker T and the MG’s, this award-winning quintet’s gritty, soulful, swaggering music is all about stirring up a good time. Led by acclaimed drummer Jesse Cahill, this who’s who of the Vancouver jazz scene features Cory Weeds alto sax, Dave Sikula guitar, Jack Duncan percussion, and Chris Gestrin behind the hefty Hammond organ.
Ocean Art Works is sponsored in part by CMHC Granville Island and is part of the Granville Island Jazz series.

Late Night Open Jams
2023-06-24 22:30 - 2023-06-25 22:30 | Ocean Artworks, 1531 Johnston Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V3E 2T1, Canada
June 23-25 · Ocean Artworks @ 10:30PM · FREE
Opening weekend is jam packed, and in the case of Ocean Artworks late night, packed with jams. Each session kicks off with a host artist setting a tone of creative exploration before opening the stage up to visiting artists and local players alike. We really can’t say much more, since these novel collaborations will take thrillingly unpredictable shapes.
June 23: Feven Kidane Quartet
June 24: Tony Wilson w/Mali Obomsawin and Konrad Agnas
June 25: Mili Hong Trio

Dean Thiessen's Stranger Friends Orchestra
2023-06-25 12:30 - 13:30 | Downtown – Georgia Street Stage, 850 W Georgia St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 2H7, Canada
Composer/musical director Dean Thiessen’s 15-piece modern big band gathers some of the most creative and inspiring young voices in the West Coast music scene. With little resemblance to the ‘swing era’ sound, the SFO’s hyper-detailed compositions and spontaneous improvisations take inspiration from the cutting edge of contemporary jazz.
Brent Mah – alto saxophone
Ardeshir Pourkeramati – tenor saxophone
John Nicholson – tenor saxophone
Sofia Avelino – baritone saxophone
Rory Hislop – trumpet
Feven Kidane – trumpet
Thad Bailey-Mai – trumpet
Gregory Dent – trombone
Janine King – trombone
George McNally – bass trombone
Suin Park – piano
Chris Fraser – guitar
Wynston Minckler – bass
Todd Stewart – drums
Jason Winikoff – percussion
The free Downtown Jazz concert series takes place outside the Vancouver Art Gallery and šxwƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25. The Georgia Street Stage sits near the corner of Hornby and West Georgia Streets.

Steelin’ in the Years
2023-06-25 13:00 - 15:00 | Lynn Valley Village, 1277 Lynn Valley Rd, North Vancouver, British Columbia, V7K 2A1, Canada
“Is this Vancouver’s best cover band?” We hear you, Vancouver Sun. Steelin’ in the Years, a Steely Dan cover band based in the Lower Mainland, is 11 members strong and features some of the area’s finest players performing astonishingly accurate hits and deep cuts. If you’re at all a Steely Dan fan, this is a must-see bucket-list show!

Steve Kaldestad Trio
2023-06-25 14:00 - 17:00 | La Fabrique St. George Winery, 7 E 7th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5T 1M4, Canada
A resident of Vancouver since 2008, Steve Kaldestad has established himself as one of the most in-demand saxophonists on the scene, performing as a member of the Dan Brubeck Quartet, Jesse Cahill’s Nightcrawlers, the Jodi Proznick Quartet, the Jill Townsend Jazz Orchestra, and many other groups. Steve has released 4 CDs on the Cellar Live label to great acclaim including his latest, Live at Frankie’s, and New York Afternoon featuring Canadian jazz master Renee Rosnes. The Steve Kaldestad Trio features Steve Kaldestad sax, Steve Holy bass & Dave Sikula guitar.

Robin Layne & the Rhythm Makers
2023-06-25 14:15 - 15:15 | Downtown – Georgia Street Stage, 850 W Georgia St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 2H7, Canada
”Marimba is probably the most sensual and harmonious of all percussion instruments, and Robin Layne one of its best ambassadors.” — CBC
Rooted in global rhythmic traditions, Layne blurs lines between jazz, Latin music, Afro-beat, and folk with groove-heavy Rhythm Makers Liam MacDonald percussion, Wynston Minckler bass, Daniel Ruiz drums, Jocelyn Waugh trumpet, and Tim Sars baritone sax.
The free Downtown Jazz concert series takes place outside the Vancouver Art Gallery and šxwƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25. The Georgia Street Stage sits near the corner of Hornby and West Georgia Streets.

The History of Gunpowder
2023-06-25 15:45 - 16:45 | Downtown – Georgia Street Stage, 850 W Georgia St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 2H7, Canada
Named in the Top 10 Best Bands in Montréal by Cult Magazine, freak-rock ensemble The History of Gunpowder’s thrillingly unpredictable live shows constantly push the envelope. The now Vancouver-based sonic happening builds a wall of jazz and funk-informed horns, violin, and pedal steel for guitarist and masochist of the vocal chords Alex James Morison to run through.
The free Downtown Jazz concert series takes place outside the Vancouver Art Gallery and šxwƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25. The Georgia Street Stage sits near the corner of Hornby and West Georgia Streets.

Le Kors
2023-06-25 16:00 - 18:00 | Ocean Artworks, 1531 Johnston Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V3E 2T1, Canada
Co-led by pianist Jillian Lebeck and trumpeter John Korsrud (Hard Rubber Orchestra), Le Kors assembles six of Vancouver’s most adventurous players for beautiful atmospheric grooves, improv, and wide-ranging compositions by Lebeck, Korsrud, and vocalist Shruti Ramani (Raagaverse). An embarrassment of creative riches, Le Kors also features guitarist Aram Bajakian (Lou Reed, John Zorn), Andre Lachance bass and Todd Stewart drums.

Witch Prophet
2023-06-25 17:30 - 18:45 | Downtown – Georgia Street Stage, 850 W Georgia St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 2H7, Canada
Witch Prophet layers vocal harmonies, loops, and raps over irresistible hip hop, jazz, and soul-inspired beats from her partner, turntablist/producer Sun Sun. The Toronto-based queer East African singer-songwriter’s new album Gateway Experience takes the operatic soul and Erykah Badu-meets-Lauryn Hill-meets-Portishead alternative R&B of 2020’s Polaris-shortlisted DNA Activation to a whole new level.
Presented in association with Queer Arts Festival
The free Downtown Jazz concert series takes place outside the Vancouver Art Gallery and šxwƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25. The Georgia Street Stage sits near the corner of Hornby and West Georgia Streets.

Cimafunk
2023-06-25 19:30 - 21:00 | Downtown – Georgia Street Stage, 850 W Georgia St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 2H7, Canada
Cimafunk’s deliriously danceable “nonstop river of rhythm” (Chicago Tribune) takes cues from Afro-Cuban traditions, Funkadelic’s euphoric bounce, and the electro-grease synths of late-80s era Prince. Fronting a nine-piece band of Havana all-stars, Afro-Cuban rockstar vocalist Cimafunk is a GRAMMY-nominated force for keeping things fresh and funky.
The free Downtown Jazz concert series takes place outside the Vancouver Art Gallery and šxwƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25. The Georgia Street Stage sits near the corner of Hornby and West Georgia Streets.

The Ostara Project
2023-06-25 19:30 - 21:30 | Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3R8, Canada
Rhythm Changes presciently noted that “this supergroup should be a major player at Canadian jazz festivals this year”, and indeed The Ostara Project—spearheaded by award-winning musicians Jodi Proznick bass and Amanda Tosoff piano—is gracing ten of the country’s finest Summer fests with their lyrical contemporary jazz.
Showcasing the range and creativity of Canadian women in jazz, the group’s membership is fluid, calling on a Who’s-Who of top-tier musicians, composers, and bandleaders. What’s constant is the collective artistic heart that led to a 2023 Vocal Jazz Album of the Year JUNO nomination for their debut recording. In a genre and industry where women are severely underrepresented, the Ostara Project is a beautiful example of perseverance, community, and a deep love for the music. Like the Germanic goddess of spring the group is named for, Ostara is creativity rising out of darkness, reaching for light, propelled by hope.
Proznick and Tosoff are joined by Allison Au sax, Rachel Therrien trumpet, Valérie Lacombe drums, Laila Biali piano and Shruti Ramani voice.

Crossing Borders
2023-06-25 20:00 - 23:00 | Frankie’s Jazz Club, 755 Beatty Sreet, Vancouver, BC, V6B 2M4, Canada
Crossing Borders is an international jazz group led by the heralded Canadian jazz vocalist/pianist Jennifer Scott and San Francisco – Bay Area saxophonist Kristen Strom who is well–known for her melodic, engaging style. The music covers a broad source base: standards, pop, originals – all with a unique and heartfelt twist. The band includes guitarist Scott Sorkin (Count Basie Orchestra, Steve Turre & Michael Turre, Smith Dobson, Louie Bellson), bassist Rene Worst (Chet Baker, Joe Pass, Paul Horn, Freddie Hubbard), and great Canadian drummer Bernie Arai.
