Richard Bona Asante Trio
2025-06-23 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Vancouver Playhouse, 600 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 2P1, Canada
Richard Bona is a Grammy-winning musician, one of the most accomplished international bass players, composers and multi-instrumentalists. With his unique sound and vocal gift he is continuously representing his African origins. Bona’s music addresses the continent’s traditions, culture, beauty and issues. His purpose, and the way he connects with his audience has turned him into a staple name in world, jazz and Afropop music.
Bona’s new group, Asante Trio, is testament to his philosophy of cultural collaboration. Joining Bona is pianist Jesus Pupo, who pays tribute to the “piano Cubano” style and its vibrant Afro-Cuban rhythmic and melodic heritage. Percussionist Harvel Nakundi provides the groove and layered rhythmic complexity inherent to the many styles that influence the group’s sound. In their collective fusion of jazz, Afro-Cuban, and African styles, Asante Trio embodies the transatlantic musical affinities that trace their roots back to the African continent.
Richard Bona has toured, composed, recorded, and created musical forms of art with the greatest: Herbie Hancock, Harry Belafonte, Steps Ahead, Quincy Jones, Chick Corea, Buena Vista Social Club, Cesária Évora, Sting, Mike Stern, Pat Metheny, Stevie Wonder, Bobby McFerrin, Chucho Valdés, George Benson, Oumou Sangaré and many more. Along the diverse notable collaborations Richard has also taught Jazz Improvisation at NYU and is constantly teaching and mentoring young talents throughout the world. He’s also a TED speaker and ambassador for various non-profit projects. He is currently producing and recording for Latin and Brazilian artists in the realm of pop, Brazilian songbook, Flamenco and Caribbean music.

Mick Flannery
2025-06-23 19:30 - 21:30 | BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts at Capilano University, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver, British Columbia, V7J 3H5, Canada
Irish singer-songwriter star Flannery has an undeniable knack for putting the layered aspects of the human condition to verse. Renowned for having a voice for the ages, The Sunday Times states he “conjures up exquisite story-telling.” The singer-songwriter’s chart-topping eighth studio album, Goodtime Charlie, is the first international release on the late John Prine’s Oh Boy Records.
Presented in association with North Shore Jazz.

Arvind Ramdas Quintet
2025-06-23 20:00 - 23:00 | Frankie’s Jazz Club, 755 Beatty Sreet, Vancouver, BC, V6B 2M4, Canada
Arvind Ramdas is a dynamic young jazz drummer based in Vancouver, recognized as one of the city’s busiest percussionists. Over the years, he has had the privilege of performing alongside many of Vancouver’s jazz legends and trailblazers in Brad Turner, John Gross, Steve Kaldestsd, Cory Weeds to name a few. In 2025, he brings his quintet to the International Jazz Festival, showcasing some of the most talented young musicians in the city. The group features Noah Franche-Nolan on piano, David Caballero on bass, Spencer Drody on trumpet, and Tamas Balai on alto saxophone. Offering a thrilling night of hard-hitting, swinging compositions and arrangements from the Great American Song Book.

Just a Season
2025-06-23 21:00 - 23:30 | Guilt & Co., 1 Alexander Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6A 1B2, Canada
Just A Season is a Vancouver folk-rock band fronted by singer-songwriter Scott Smith. Smith has been a key player in Vancouver’s roots scene for a couple decades, playing guitar and pedal steel with artists such as Barney Bentall, Rich Hope, The Real Ponchos, and Aaron Pritchett. Influenced by Gram Parsons, Ryan Adams, Neil Young and country period Grateful Dead, Just A Season’s songs recall a time when folk, rock and country met in a sun-baked embrace.

Chris Fraser Quartet
2025-06-23 21:30 - 23:00 | Tyrant Studios, 1019 Seymour St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M3, Canada
Buy advance tickets here
Vancouver guitarist Chris Fraser’s soulful and electrifying original compositions take far-ranging inspiration from Kenny Wheeler, John Scofield, Joni Mitchell, and Stephen Sondheim, to name just a few. His new quartet features John Nicholson tenor saxophone, Todd Stewart drums, and Conrad Good bass.
Open Jazz Jam to follow, hosted by Chris Fraser Quartet.

Parlour Panther
2025-06-24 16:00 - 18:00 | Dunsmuir Patio at Bentall Centre, 1025 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V7X 1L3, Canada
Parlour Panther is a nonbinary-led indie rock band from ‘Vancouver’ known for exceptional harmonies, luscious guitar tones, groovy riffs, and spacey synths. Their third album, BLOOM, “boasts a vibrant mix of blues-inflected vocals, playful synths and an energetic low-end that’ll have you moving your hips and shoulders in the midst of your soul-searching” (Exclaim!)
Frankie Brave guitar/vocals, Lee Brave bass/synths/vocals, Jen Foster drums, Sophie Foster guitar/synth.

Scott Hills
2025-06-24 18:00 - 21:00 | Prophecy, 801 W Georgia St. (Entrance on Howe St.), Vancouver, BC, V6C 2E5, Canada
Scotty Hills is a singer-songwriter from Saskatoon whose sound blends country blues with soulful sophistication. Influenced by Marvin Gaye, Taj Mahal, and Gerry Rafferty, his music weaves introspective lyrics with earthy melodies and rich arrangements.
Starting as a drummer with alt-blues band The Perpetrators, he co-wrote their Juno-nominated album The Gas and the Clutch. After releasing his debut solo album Wonderland Urgency, he relocated to the West Coast and produced Year of Septembers, leading to a publishing deal with Ole Indie and writing sessions at Westlake Studios for Rihanna.
Raised by musician parents and shaped by weekends on the farm, Scotty’s music reflects his roots—drawing from R&B, country, and classic rock. This duality shines on Nature Girl (2017), where traditional country meets lush R&B ballads.
Following a year in Nashville, Scotty is back on the West Coast finishing his fourth album The Great Regression and preparing for a UK tour. He currently lives in Vancouver and is pursuing a Master’s in Music Education at UBC.

The Lesley Branton Trio
2025-06-24 18:00 - 21:00 | Coquette Brasserie, 2685 Arbutus Street, Vancouver, BC, V6J3Y4, Canada
Based in Vancouver, this trio features Lesley Branton vocals, Jason De Couto piano and Alvin Brendan guitar. Influenced by an array of artists and genres, this trio is passionate about sharing their love of music. Having recently met via Vancouver’s vibrant music scene, these musicians have melded their talents, and together have produced a unique and uplifting sound.
Lesley is a versatile vocalist, who grew up listening to artists including Carole King, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt and Joni Mitchell. Also inspired by the Peggy Lee records her parents would play, and the timeless voice of Ella Fitzgerald, Les set out to follow her dream of becoming a professional singer. Alvin is one of Vancouver’s most sought-after guitarists, celebrated for his dynamic performances and versatility both live and in the studio. Notable artists Brendan has collaborated with include Katie Tupper (Juno Award Nominated), Tiny Habits, Ayla Tesler-Mabé, and Mikey Jose, among many others. Jason de Couto is one of the most in-demand keyboardists in town, performing with such acts as Meridian, Rain City 6, Side One, and the Steely Dan tribute band Steelin’ In the Years. The Lesley Branton Trio plays a variety of jazz, pop, and blues tunes which are as diverse as their audiences.

Pressley Murillo Trio
2025-06-24 18:20 - 21:00 | 2nd Floor Gastown (at the Water St. Café), 300 Water St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B1B6, Canada
Pressley Murillo is a Vancouver-based Mexican-American vocalist and band leader in her fourth year of the Capilano University Jazz Studies program. With deep love and respect for the tradition of Black American Classical music, she draws inspiration from Iconic Jazz artists such as Sarah Vaughan, and Betty Carter and Latinx artists like Celia Cruz and Chavela Vargas, which influenced her growing up in Southern California. You can find her in various Jazz venues around Vancouver like; Frankie’s Jazz Club, The Fairmont Hotel, Water St. Cafe, and Is That French?, playing tunes from the great American songbook and Latinx songs from her childhood.
Set times:
1st – 6:15pm – 7:45pm
2nd – 8:30pm – 9:45pm

Early Show: The Black Space Jam feat. ebonEmpress
2025-06-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Guilt & Co., 1 Alexander Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6A 1B2, Canada
ebonEmpress is an emcee and keyboardist spreading a message of unity through poignant lyrics and head-bobbing, infectious hip hop, jazz, and R&B. In every facet of her life, she’s committed to sharing her lived experience as a woman of African descent, raising awareness about the injustices faced by racialized communities, and showcasing the positive impact that people of African descent have on Canadian and global cultures.

Bill Frisell Trio with Thomas Morgan & Rudy Royston
2025-06-24 19:30 - 21:00 | Vancouver Playhouse, 600 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 2P1, Canada
Bill Frisell’s career as a guitarist and composer has spanned more than 40 years and many celebrated recordings, whose catalogue has been cited by Downbeat as “the best recorded output of the decade.” His first appearance at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival was in 1986, and we’re thrilled to host his return for our 40th anniversary.
In the trio format he’s favoured throughout his career, Frisell has always projected an orchestral scope — through his remarkably complete sense of harmony, a unique gift for melodies that remain with you long after a performance, and a keen feel for how dynamic range can be used to convey emotion. But on his new double album, his fourth release for Blue Note Records, he makes those symphonic evocations a reality. Produced by Lee Townsend, Orchestras documents two inspired concert-hall engagements arranged by Michael Gibbs for Frisell’s long-standing trio with bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Rudy Royston: one featuring the nearly 60-piece Brussels Philharmonic, conducted by Alexander Hanson; and one with the 11-piece Umbria Jazz Orchestra, under the musical direction of Manuele Morbidini.
As he’s often done over the past four decades, Frisell uses a straightforward concept and a familiar songbook to bring about stirring revelations. To start, these 16 tracks showcase a level of comfort and interactivity that far transcends the vast majority of “with strings” projects on the jazz record shelf. Gibbs’ sweeping, singular orchestration, with its shades of Gil Evans and landmark film scores, moves nimbly within and around the trio’s telepathic rapport, and Frisell’s shimmering trademark tone melds gorgeously with strings and brass.

Feven Kidane Plays Charles Tolliver
2025-06-24 20:00 - 23:00 | Frankie’s Jazz Club, 755 Beatty Sreet, Vancouver, BC, V6B 2M4, Canada
Trumpeter Feven Kidane is delighted to perform the music of Charles Tolliver’s archival release on the Cellar Live music label, Live at the Captain’s Cabin, recorded 1973 live in Edmonton, Alberta. She is proud to present this music alongside her quartet.
With Quincy Mayes piano, Milo Johnson bass, and Todd Stewart drums.

The Rocket Revellers
2025-06-24 21:00 - 23:30 | Guilt & Co., 1 Alexander Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6A 1B2, Canada
The Rocket Revellers give you an energetic mix of western swing, jump blues, and rockabilly. Members of the band have toured with Ray Condo and Petunia & The Vipers.
Featuring: Dennis Brock vocals, Stephen Nikleva guitar, Mike Van Eyes piano, Joseph Lubinsky-Mast bass, and Paul Townsend drums.

MUSICMUSICMUSIC
2025-06-24 21:30 - 23:00 | Tyrant Studios, 1019 Seymour St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M3, Canada
Buy advance tickets here
“No rules, just fun” – All About Jazz
With a passion for experimentation and an ever-present joy for playing, MUSICMUSICMUSIC takes on classic jazz compositions as well as originals by the group’s “Jazz in Sweden” prize winning pianist, Fabian Kallerdahl. One of Sweden’s most adventurous contemporary jazz groups, MMM is acclaimed for their refreshing humour, resistance to convention, and performances that reach audiences far beyond the traditional borders of jazz.
The members of the trio have been the same since they formed in 2003, with Fabien alongside bassist Josef Kallerdahl and Michael Edlund drums, and that’s how they’ll perform at Tyrant Studios.
Open Jazz Jam to follow, hosted by MUSICMUSICMUSIC.

Bruno Hubert Trio with Brad Turner
2025-06-25 14:00 - 16:00 | Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3R8, Canada
Bruno Hubert is one of Canada’s most expressive jazz pianists, with a deep sense of swing and melody that evokes Erroll Garner, Herbie Hancock, and Bill Evans—while always remaining unmistakably Bruno! A key fixture on the Vancouver jazz scene for over twenty years, Hubert’s trio with bassist André Lachance and drummer Joe Poole is joined by one of Canada’s most esteemed and in-demand jazz musicians, multiple JUNO Award-winning trumpeter Brad Turner (Metalwood, Reneé Rosnes, John Scofield).
Presented in association with Queer Arts Festival. Special thanks to the Alan and Gwendolyn Pyatt Foundation.

Eve Risser Artist Talk (Moderated by Dylan van der Schyff)
2025-06-25 15:30 - 17:30 | Western Front, 303 East 8th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5T 1S1, Canada
Eve Risser is among the most prominent creators on the European scene, and her solo prepared piano album Après un Rêve (on Clean Feed Records) is almost Zen in its organic, dreamlike developments. “There’s a sense of open-ended experimentalism to her approach. Like setting a Rube Goldberg machine in motion, if half the machine was unassembled at start, and the project consisted of Risser assembling the rest in front of our eyes” (Free Jazz Collective).
Moderated by Dylan van der Schyff.
In association with Western Front.

Tony Wilson's Hellhound on My Trail
2025-06-25 16:00 - 18:00 | Ocean Artworks, 1531 Johnston Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V3E 2T1, Canada
Hellhound on My Trail reimagines classic blues compositions by Robert Johnson, Son House, Huddie Ledbetter, Ornette Coleman, and others, mixing in a twist of the avant garde and the unmistakable sonic signature of West Coast guitarist Tony Wilson. A brand new group formed especially for the Festival, Tony Wilson’s Hellhound on My Trail features Dominic Conway sax, Joshua Zubot violin, Russell Sholberg bass, and Kai Basanta drums.

Colin Sankey Band
2025-06-25 16:00 - 18:00 | Dunsmuir Patio at Bentall Centre, 1025 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V7X 1L3, Canada
Colin Sankey is a bassist, composer, and arranger from Vancouver whose use of extended techniques, such as tapping and harmonics, creates lush harmonies and infectious grooves that sound almost orchestral, while drawing comparison to low-end wizards like Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, and Alain Caron.
Colin recently went viral, reaching over 15 million views with his arrangements of Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky’, “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, and the Mario theme. The award-winning bassist continues to share his inspiring take on jazz, funk, rock, and Latin music with his 229,000+ followers across all social platforms as well as on stage with Sebastian Chamney guitar, Eliot Doyle drums, Winston Matsushita keyboards, and Brent Mah tenor saxophone.

Forever Stories of: Moving Parties
2025-06-25 17:00 | Revue Stage, 1601 Johnston Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H3R7, Canada
Cellist Peggy Lee and guitarist Cole Schmidt are composers compelled to write for improvising musicians; that is, they conceive inspiring frameworks to bring out essential, novel contributions from some of creative music’s most vital voices.
Their latest album, Forever Stories of: Moving Parties, features an array of international guests, including Erika Angell, Wayne Horvitz, Frank Rosaly, and Sunny Kim. Drawing on themes of change, connection, and the evolving nature of creative expression, and touching on jazz, experimental, classical, rock, and noise, they create music that’s both intentional and spontaneous. As Lee says, “it’s about welcoming change, blame, mercy, and the agency to try things differently”.
In this case, their guests are artful agents JP Carter trumpet, Meredith Bates violin, Brian Horswill piano, and Mili Hong drums.

Adam Robert Thomas Trio
2025-06-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Prophecy, 801 W Georgia St. (Entrance on Howe St.), Vancouver, BC, V6C 2E5, Canada
Adam Robert Thomas performs a diverse array of music from favourite radio hits of this year all the way back to music from the jazz and big band era, and a wide array of classics in between.
His unique sound combines elements of soul, jazz, indie and top 40 music. His band’s funky, groovy rhythms and soulful vocals will keep the party going on night long!
Aside from his own compositions, his song book includes hits by artists such as Sam Smith, Drake, Norah Jones, Coldplay, Al Green, Radiohead, Stevie Wonder and many others, all covered with sweet soulful taste.

Bonnie Northgraves Quartet
2025-06-25 18:00 - 21:00 | La Fabrique St. George Winery, 7 E 7th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5T 1M4, Canada
Bonnie Northgraves is a trumpet player/vocalist/composer based in Vancouver, BC. Renowned for her dynamic performances and engaging stage presence, Bonnie captivates audiences with her rich, emotive voice and joyful trumpet playing. Specializing in vintage jazz from the 1920s and 1930s, she breathes new life into classic tunes while also sharing her own compositions that blend modern influences with a timeless sound.
Bonnie’s trumpet playing spans a wide emotional range, moving effortlessly from playful and exuberant to deep and reflective, creating a captivating atmosphere that resonates with listeners. Her vocal style, similarly versatile, dances between playful whimsy and heartfelt depth, enchanting audiences with its rich texture and expressive phrasing.
Featuring: Bonnie Northgraves trumpet/vocals, Kevin Jackson trombone, Wynston Minckler bass, and Dean Edward Thiessen piano.

Paul Caldwell
2025-06-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Coquette Brasserie, 2685 Arbutus Street, Vancouver, BC, V6J3Y4, Canada
Irish singer-songwriter Paul Caldwell has the ability to seamlessly blend the soul of Irish ballads with the nuance of Canadian folk music. His live performance can have you hanging on to every word or swaying to unforgettable melody’s.

Lucy Lambert Trio
2025-06-25 18:20 - 21:00 | 2nd Floor Gastown (at the Water St. Café), 300 Water St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B1B6, Canada
Lucy Lambert is a jazz pianist, accordionist, singer, violinist, and music producer based in Vancouver. Her romantic and dreamy songwriting, classy swing and hot jazz ambiance, and virtuosic piano and accordion playing add a beautiful feminine presence to all events. She is the bandleader and creative director of her jazz quintets albums and music videos. Her jazz band, “Lucy Lambert’s Violet Drift”, features a rotating cast of some of Canada and Americas best jazz players, such as John Nicholson, Seb Chamney, Noah Gotfrit, Kevin Romain, Juliette Malgrange and Joe Abbott. Lucy’s singing is influenced by the great vocalists of early jazz music. Her unique voice is often compared to jazz singers such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, and Bessie Smith.
She has performed extensively across Canada, in Vancouver and Montreal, as well as having toured and performed throughout Europe and America, traveling to both New Orleans and New York city in the last six months to perform in iconic venues and be influenced by the lineage of jazz in american music.
Lucy is currently releasing Violet Drift’s second full length jazz album.
Set times:
1st – 6:15pm – 7:45pm
2nd – 8:30pm – 9:45pm

Early Show: Cassandra Maze
2025-06-25 19:00 - 20:00 | Guilt & Co., 1 Alexander Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6A 1B2, Canada
Music brings people together, and for that reason Cassandra Maze has made it her lifelong pursuit to connect those around her through the power of words and songs. She embodies the meaning of “one-woman-band” with her multi-instrumental abilities and live looping skills, attracting thousands of viewers on her YouTube channel. As an old soul with a fresh perspective, Maze blends classic with modern (from Carole King to Dua Lipa), and plays songs you love in a way you’ve never heard them before.

New Jazz Underground
2025-06-25 19:30 - 21:00 | Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3R8, Canada
“These Juilliard-trained musicians clearly know the jazz tradition, but push at the corners of hard bop and hip-hop. Classy and classic.” – NPR
New Jazz Underground has been blowing up online and on stage, garnering tonnes of acclaim for their distinctive merging of traditional jazz sensibilities with modern influences like hip-hop, house/afro-beat, and Afro-Cuban music. The core of the group met at Juilliard and began playing in NYC parks during 2020’s lockdowns, before viral videos like “Harlem to Havana”, “f**k/s**t/c**t/jazz”, and “they can hate but we still swingin” introduced the band’s exuberant chemistry and ambitious musicality to millions of music fans around the world. Vancouver jazz lovers and hip hop heads will giddily unite when the quartet kicks into “MF DOOM SUiTE”, their harmonically imaginative, coolly grooving tribute to the late metalfaced rap icon.
Each NJU member is a prodigious artist in their own right. Bassist/composer Sebastian Rios is a 2024 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award winner and a long-time student of bass legend Ron Carter. Rios and drummer TJ Reddick have been sidemen for the likes of Jon Batiste, Sullivan Fortner, Emmet Cohen, and ELEW. Winner of the 2023 Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition, Noah Halpern has been a creative force on the New York jazz scene with his own quartet and work with Wynton Marsalis, Jason Moran, KNOWER, Ulysses Owens, Lalah Hathaway, and many more. A Juilliard alumn and now faculty member, pianist Isaiah J. Thompson is known for his work with the John Pizzarelli Trio as well as performances with Christian McBride, Steve Turre, Catherine Russell, Buster Williams, and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
New Jazz Underground have dedicated their lives to the legacy of jazz and the promise of dynamic new creative paths. The future of Jazz will come from Underground.
This is an accessible venue. If assistance is required please contact: boxoffice@coastaljazz.ca
Please Note: Seating is limited with a mix of seating and standing room. Arrive early for seating. Box Office & Lobby open at 6:30 PM; House opens at 7:00 PM; the show starts at 7:30 PM
We are grateful for the support of the Alan and Gwendoline Pyatt Foundation.

Brad Turner Trio Plus One
2025-06-25 20:00 - 23:00 | Frankie’s Jazz Club, 755 Beatty Sreet, Vancouver, BC, V6B 2M4, Canada
Turner is a three-time Juno award winner and considered one of Canada’s most in-demand and highly esteemed jazz musicians. Described as a “triple threat,” Turner is also an accomplished trumpeter, drummer, and composer. His last recording, North Star, was a hit on streaming platforms all over the world and his recently released It’s All So has received rave reviews.
With Darren Radtke bass, Bernie Arai drums, and Jack Duncan percussion.

Thanya Iyer + Elisa Thorn
2025-06-25 20:30 - 22:30 | Ocean Artworks, 1531 Johnston Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V3E 2T1, Canada
Thanya Iyer
Montréal’s Thanya Iyer is an enigmatic songwriter whose sparkling experimental pop music embraces mindfulness, aesthetic beauty, and the interconnectedness of all things. Iyer’s 2025 release, TIDE/TIED, expands on the future-folk of their 2020 Polaris Prize long-listed album KIND. With washes of jazz-inflected pop and ensemble ambience courtesy of Daniel Gélinas’ meditative drumming, Pompey’s adventurous multi-instrumentalism, and the celestial harp of Emilie Kahn, Thanya Iyer builds a layered musical world that Pitchfork described as “a lucid daydream that’s constantly melting at its edges.”
Thanya Iyer Workshop • June 24 • Tom Lee Music Hall
Thanks to the Canada Council for the Arts.
Elisa Thorn
Known for her charming off-the-cuff humour and distinctly contemporary use of the instrument, harpist/vocalist Elisa Thorn draws from indie, jazz, chamber pop, and post-rock to create a meditative, psychedelic, and energizing sound that’s all her own. Thorn’s an insatiable collaborator in projects that include Gentle Party, HUE, and The Giving Shapes, but she’s currently focusing on her solo work, including the 2025 release of her debut album, xiik.
Called “experimental folk for the bathtub,” Elisa’s intriguing sounds have been found to be equally impactful on sinks, basins, and people.

Hot Jazz Wednesday feat. Josh Roberts
2025-06-25 21:00 - 23:30 | Guilt & Co., 1 Alexander Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6A 1B2, Canada
Vancouver-based guitarist Josh Roberts has performed across North America, Europe and the Caribbean. He leads a group playing the swinging hot jazz of the 1930s and 40s. The band features New Orleans-inflected clarinet, driving rhythm, and electric guitar inspired by early masters Charlie Christian, Barney Kessel and Eddie Durham.

Let's Make the Water Turn Black - Frank Zappa Tribute
2025-06-25 21:30 - 23:00 | Tyrant Studios, 1019 Seymour St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M3, Canada
Buy advance tickets here
Zappa fanatics Tony Wilson and Daniel Deorksen have concocted a new sextet to tackle some of the prolific and idiosyncratic 20th-century composer’s most beloved hits (and, well, anti-hits). The bewitching and bewildering bedlam will be brought by Tony Wilson guitar and Daniel Deorksen guitar and vocals, alongside esteemed and sought-after Vancouver musicians John Korsrud trumpet, Robin Layne marimba, Russell Sholberg bass, and Kenton Loewen drums.
Open Jazz Jam to follow, hosted by Let’s Make the Water Turn Black.

François Houle & Gordon Grdina with Izumi Kimura & Gerry Hemingway
2025-06-25 21:30 - 23:00 | Revue Stage, 1601 Johnston Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H3R7, Canada
You know the old saying “it takes one to know one”? In this case, it takes two to know two, as a pair of long standing duos connect in empathic, searching, and virtuosic collaboration.
The creative lives of basset clarinettist François Houle and guitarist/oud player Gordon Grdina have intertwined for over twenty years, in a wide variety of projects. As HELIOTROPE, they tap seamlessly into global traditions, avant-jazz, western classical music, and free improvisation to create “an interesting form of ‘art song’, full of melodies that are elegantly pared down and also elaborately latticed, with the deeply haunting oud quarter tones providing both a sense of solace and gravitas” (Jazzwise).
Irish-based Japanese pianist Izumi Kimura and US-born, Switzerland-based drummer/vocalist/vibraphonist Gerry Hemingway began working as a duo in 2016 developing their shared language through a series of residencies and performances in Ireland (as well developing further in a trio context with bassist Barry Guy). A refined language of formal structures, spontaneous invention, and unique interpretations of song was presented in their 2023 debut Kairos, “demonstrating that music can link effortlessly across time, genres, and any preconceptions in the hands of the right performers.” (Sammy Stein, Platinum Mind) This tour is coordinated with the release of their second album, How the Dust Falls released on Auricle Records.
Don’t miss two of creative music’s most alchemical duos combining for sublime and unrepeatable sonic shaping.
MORE: Izumi Kimura and Gerry Hemingway will also participate in TIME FLIES: Night One, June 26th at Revue Stage.
This performance made possible in part due to support from the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia and Culture Ireland.
