In 2015 Coastal Jazz embarked on a big year – its 30th as a nonprofit arts organization, and the 30th anniversary of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. By this point there had been many milestones and trips down memory lane along the way – at ten, 20, 25. Still, media recounted the Coastal Jazz origin story (which you can start here, and likely hear again at our 40th this June), its legacy and some of the legendary performances that had in the years since become, well, legend. Those usually began with “The Showdown” in 1986 between Miles Davis and Wynton Marsalis. You can read about it here.
“Those opening concerts in 1986 with Miles Davis and Wynton Marsalis,” co-founder John Orysik told the Vancouver Sun. “The late, great Ornette Coleman who performed here in 1986. Watching Diana Krall’s career explode from being a local artist to a major international star.” Krall’s first Festival performances were on free stages in Gastown, long before the opening weekend’s festivities moved to its current downtown location. She quickly ascended from cobblestone streets to the Vogue and soon after, back-to back-sold out nights at the Orpheum.
There was Sun Ra in 1989. And who could forget the countless shows with Han Bennink. And there were homegrown artists like Vancouver’s avant-garde players like cellist Peggy Lee, drummer Dylan van der Schyff, guitarist Tony Wilson, and clarinetist Francois Houle, who became jazz fest regulars.
Coastal Jazz wasn’t just looking back. They took 2015 as a chance to double down on their mission, adding two days of free shows to the Downtown Jazz opening weekend, creating the Coastal Jazz Foundation, and, after a post-recession break, returning to year-round programming. In 2015 they brought a legendary local series, Cory Weeds’s Cellar Jazz, into the fold – with regular shows at the VSO’s Pyatt Hall. They snagged a major coup by presenting Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett for two shows at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, just a few weeks before the jazz festival kicked off on June 18.
The 30th edition of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival ran June 18 to July 1 and featured 300 shows. Half were free of charge. Buddy Guy, Erykah Badu, Pink Martini, The Roots, and Chris Botti headlined with shows at the Orpheum and the River Rock Casino. Coastal Jazz also partnered with the South African Ministry of Arts and Culture to spark a showcase of South African musicians. The concert series – including South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim at the Vogue, all held in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, said co-founder and artistic director Ken Pickering.
The South African connection to the 2015 Festival had a direct through line to the Coastal Jazz volunteer team. According to Pickering, Kim Jawanda had a good time while volunteering at the Festival some 15 years prior. When it came time to export some of South Africa’s finest to Canada, Jawanda – then living in Brooklyn and working with South Africa’s cultural ministry – picked Vancouver.
Head to Instagram or Facebook to view the entire 2015 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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