June 20-July 1
Various Venues
Summer is the season of festivals, and one of the biggest jazz fests in the world comes from our neighbors to the north.
Since its inauguration in 1986, the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival has been one of the most critically acclaimed of its kind. With more than 300 concerts (half of them free) at over 30 venues and with help from more than 1,000 volunteers, the festival draws more than half a million people each year and is the largest music festival in British Columbia.
This year, the festival will run June 20 to July 1. Headlining the event are Bobby McFerrin, Maceo Parker, Arturo Sandoval, Hiromi: The Trio Project, Jill Barber, Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood, and the Charles Lloyd Quartet.
Artists will perform at venues throughout the city, including parks, community centers, concert halls, clubs, public plazas, and even to the streets. Ticketed events will be held at The Vogue and the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, as well as at new venues like Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Seventeen 89, and Fortune Sound Club, where avant-garde artists such as Royal Canoe and King Khan & The Shrines will perform.
The festival recently announced details of its downtown opening weekend, which takes place June 21-22 at Robson Square. Featuring a total of 32 performances, the weekend will see local Canadian acts such as Dal Richards and his Orchestra, Florence K, Laila Biali, The Boom Booms, The High Bar Gang, and more, on three stages surrounding the Vancouver Art Gallery.
This year, a nine-foot by 12-foot LED screen will broadcast the performers on the Georgia Stage, opposite the gallery’s fountain. Additionally, there will be a new installation called the Tonal Interactive Media Experiment (TIME), which explores innovative uses of the guitar effects pedal through sonic and visual art. The opening weekend will also hold a family zone and artisan market, both of which were successes last year.
“The downtown jazz weekend is now one of the most anticipated events [of] the jazz festival,” said John Orysik, co-founder and media director of the festival, as reported by The Vancouver Sun. “Everything from the cool site design to the exceptional calibre of artists, to the thrilling vibe generated by large, enthusiastic audiences speaks to the success of the festival’s capacity to animate the heart of our city.”
So make sure your passport is up-to-date before venturing north this summer.
Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood
Friday, June 20, 9pm
Vogue Theatre, $45
Keyboardist John Medeski, drummer Billy Martin, and bassist Chris Wood play with legendary guitarist John Scofield for an evening of avant-groove funk and psych-jazz. Gordon Grdina Trio opens.
Hiromi: The Trio Project
Saturday, June 21, 9pm
Vogue Theatre, $50
Japanese pianist/composer Uehara Hiromi performs with bassist Anthony Jackson (Chick Corea, Steely Dan) and drummer Simon Philips (Al DiMeola, Jeff Beck). Sekoya featuring Amalia opens.
Hiromi: The Trio Project performs at the Victoria JazzFest on Friday, June 20, at 7:30pm at the Royal Theatre.
Bobby McFerrin
Sunday, June 22, 8pm
Orpheum Theatre, $65
Ten-time Grammy winner Bobby McFerrin takes the stage to perform his latest album, spirityouall, which features familiar tunes like “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” and “Every Time I Feel the Spirit” alongside original songs. “This is fully realized music. This is music that heals,” writes C. Michael Bailey in All About Jazz. With The Sojourners.
Bobby McFerrin performs at the Victoria JazzFest on Saturday, June 21, at 7:30pm at the Royal Theatre.
Arturo Sandoval
Monday, June 23, 9pm
Vogue Theatre, $55
Mentored by Dizzy Gillespie, trumpeter Arturo Sandoval is a nine-time Grammy Award-winner, Emmy winner, and US Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree who’s played with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Gloria Estefan, and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Jill Barber with special guest Royal Wood
Tuesday, June 24, 9pm
Vogue Theatre, $35
Canadian singer Jill Barber has won numerous awards and has been nominated for two JUNOs. She is set to release her sixth album, Fool’s Gold, on June 17th. Opening is Royal Wood, a fellow Canadian singer and JUNO nominee.
Jill Barber performs at the Victoria JazzFest on Wednesday, June 25, at 7:30pm at First Met United Church.
Maceo Parker
Wednesday, June 25, 9pm
Vogue Theatre, $45
Saxophonist Maceo Parker was a sideman for James Brown for 20 years, so you can be sure this will be one funky, soul-filled evening. He has also lent his talents to George Clinton, Prince, Ray Charles, and even Dave Matthews Band and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The Nightcrawlers featuring Dawn Pemberton open.
Maceo Parker performs at the Victoria JazzFest on Monday, June 23, at 9:30pm at Sugar Nightclub.
Charles Lloyd Quartet
Friday, June 27, 9pm
Vogue Theatre, $55
Charles Lloyd is an adventurous, lyrical saxophonist who moves from hard swing to subtle ballads and has played with the likes of Keith Jarrett, The Beach Boys, and more. Performing with him are Gerald Clayton on piano, Joe Sanders on bass, and Gerald Cleaver on drums. Chris Gestrin Trio opens.
For more information, visit www.coastaljazz.ca. Tickets are available by phone at (855) 551-9747 (US) or (604) 569-1144 (local), or online at www.northerntickets.com.
TD Victoria International JazzFestCoinciding with the Vancouver Jazz Festival is another great music event held in British Columbia’s capital. The TD Victoria International JazzFest has also been a premiere festival since its inception in 1985. This year, it runs June 20-29 and features a variety of artists, including several who are performing at Vancouver such as Hiromi: The Trio Project, Jill Barber, and Arturo Sandoval. Venues range from Victoria’s historic Royal Theatre and downtown plaza Centennial Square to various clubs and restaurants throughout the city. The festival also features plenty of free concerts as well as workshops with visiting artists. For more information, visit jazzvictoria.ca/jazz-fest.
