By 2002 the Jazz Festival had blossomed into “one of the continent’s finest annual musical events” (The Wire, UK). The Vancouver Sun called it “Ten Days of Heaven.”
Welcome to peak jazz fest.
The sheer volume of programming seemed to explode from the previous year, which had drawn 415,000 visitors to its shows. Coastal Jazz had booked more than 400 shows at 40 venues across the city. It’s the first time we see the stages at Vancouver Art Gallery, and a significant expansion to the North Shore.
“One of the finest international music showcases in the world. For ten days, the Vancouver International Jazz Festival offers the sights and sounds of the music’s edge pushers, mainstayers and international ambassadors in a panoramic city sweep that keeps the focus on the music and the vitality of Canada’s West Coast urban cultural Mecca.” (Jazz Review)
The festival’s calendar was applauded for its balance and depth. Some noted the organization had clearly listened to criticisms in reaction to 2001’s booking of artists who hailed from country, pop and rock genres. This year, diversity was on display but jazz was “unequivocally at the core of the program.” (Vancouver Courier) The headliners in 2002 included singer Dianne Reeves, the Bueno Vista Social Club with vocalist Omara Portuondo, the Dave Brubeck Quartet and The Music of Gavin Bryars featuring Holly Cole among others, all at the Orpheum Theatre.
The European contingent featured Vienna Art Orchestra, German reedmen Frank Gratkowski and Gebhard Ullman, French guitarist Marc Ducret and several groups from Scandinavia. Vancouver’s progressive NWO Orchestra celebrated its 25th anniversary with guest pianist Marilyn Crispell. Other highlights included pianist Kenny Werner, Bill Frisell International Quartet, Dave Holland Quintet and Charlie Haden.
Performance Works continued its successful New Groove series while the North Shore expansion included free and ticketed shows at theatres and other venues. In fact, free shows were everywhere in 2002 – Gastown, the Roundhouse, David Lam Park, all over Granville Island, Pacific Centre Plaza, Metrotown, the Vancouver Art Gallery and something called the CBC Jazz Café. (Which sounds awesome. Can they bring this back, please?)
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Mark your calendars for the 40th anniversary Vancouver International Jazz Festival this June 20 – 29, 2025. Catch up on all our festival flashbacks here. Do you have a memorable festival memory? Share your story with us to win a 2025 Jazz Fest experience.
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