By Mary Ancheta
Dear Fellow Jazz Enthusiasts,
Happy JAM! Or Jazz Appreciation Month! Since 2001, April has been the official “Jazz Appreciation Month” to recognize the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz.
As April unfolds and Spring blossoms, I write to you to celebrate the incredible jazz scene we have created and cultivated in our beautiful city of Vancouver.
For the past 20 years, I’ve been a proud Vancouverite, but I still remember moving here all the way from Hamilton, Ontario as an emerging jazz musician. The Vancouver International Jazz Festival was one of the first moments that helped me fall in love with this city. I’ll never forget my first Jazz Fest and all the friends and colleagues I’ve met from that day.
Thanks to Coastal Jazz, artists and audiences alike are fortunate to experience the diversity of jazz and blues throughout the year. Coastal Jazz has been instrumental in providing local artists with opportunities to showcase their talent on both small and big stages. As a musician who has performed with Coastal many times, I can attest to the invaluable role they play in nurturing and promoting jazz in our community. These opportunities allow artists like me to develop our craft and build our audience over time in our beloved city.
Coastal Jazz’s commitment to supporting local artists extends beyond the stage. From providing logistical support to offering promotional opportunities, they are dedicated to helping artists thrive in their craft at every stage of their career. Every time I’ve performed with Coastal, I’ve felt the care, support, and commitment to supporting artists at every level.
From the dedicated organizers and passionate volunteers to the talented musicians who grace our stages, each person plays a crucial role in keeping the jazz spirit alive and flourishing, right here in our beautiful city of Vancouver. ❤️
This Jazz Appreciation Month, I celebrate the incredible team at Coastal Jazz that has done so much for our local talent, including myself. As we prepare for a brilliant season of jazz and live music this summer, I encourage everyone to come with an open mind and an open heart. Remember – supporting live music starts right in your own backyard. Go out to a local show outside of the festival and support the amazing local musicians who help keep Vancouver’s arts and music scene alive and well beyond the festival season. And support local organizations like Coastal who work year-round to keep Vancouver’s live music scene thriving.
Here’s to the transformative power of this genre. And here’s to you, the audience who makes it all worthwhile.
Thank you,
Mary Ancheta
The Mary Ancheta Quartet performs a free show June 21 at the West Vancouver Memorial Library as part of the North Shore Jazz Series. Information is available here.
