Hip-hop legends Wu-Tang Clan comes to the 2019 Vancouver International Jazz Festival.
In what is kind of a big deal, the 2019 Vancouver International Jazz Festival has announced a headlining show by legendary hip-hop act Wu-Tang Clan.
The group, whose 1993 album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) is considered one of the best hip-hop debuts ever released, plays the Queen Elizabeth Theatre June 23. Tickets for what is sure to be a sold-out show start at $69 and go on sale this Friday, May 3, at 10 a.m. at coastaljazz.ca.
The festival, which is going into its 34th year, runs June 21 to July 1. Other headliners include the Roots (June 28) and Herbie Hancock (June 29).
As usual, organizers Coastal Jazz are also presenting a ton of free concerts. Many of these are at the Vanccouver Art Gallery/Robson Square (June 22/23), David Lam Park (June 29/30), and Granville Island (for Canada Day Celebrations) July 1. Performers include King Ayisoba, Yonatan Gat and the Eastern Medicine Singers, Troker, and more. Find out more below.
Audrey Ochoa—The Edmonton trombonist mixes jazz, Latin, fusion, and pop with a playful sense of humour. Ochoa has played with Lew Tebackin, Dan Aykroyd, and the Temptations. (Sat., June 22 at 6:45, Robson Street Stage)
King Ayisoba—According to coastaljazz.ca, Ghanian singer King Ayisoba bridges traditional music from the Upper East Region of that country “with 21st century vibes.” He sings in Frafra, Twi, and English accompanied by the kologo, a two-stringed instrument with a calabash gourd resonator that “provides rhythm and melody lines alike to hypnotic and strangely groovy effect” (The Quietus). (Sunday, June 23 at 3:45 p.m., Georgia Street Stage)
Cousin Harley—Guitarist Paul Pigat and his Vancouver-based rockabilly trio are one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Fans love their mix of roots, vintage country and Western swing. (Sunday June 23 at 6:45 p.m., Robson Street Stage)
Théo Ceccaldi << Freaks >>—An experimental jazz sextet, Freaks bridges jazz-rock with avant-garde pop and punk rock. “Endearingly lurid, queer, and colourful,” says their write-up coastaljazz.ca. (Sat. June 29 at 7 p.m., David Lam Park)
Vancouver indie-rock band Joe Passed plays a show at the Imperial as part of the 2019 Vancouver Int’l Jazz Festival.
Star Captains—This Vancouver band released its debut full-length, Lightwork, earlier this year. They combine sultry grooves, synth-pop and hip-hop influences. (Sun. June 30 at 1:45 p.m., David Lam Park)
Troker—From Guadalajara, this trio of instrumentalists “create intricately layered post-rock that would make the ideal theme music to an engaging, bewilderingly complicated car chase scene. Jazz, rock, and psychedelia, plus some funk, and cumbia come together in a wild and propulsive thrill ride.” (Sun. June 30 at 8:45 p.m., David Lam Park)
For a complete list of free and ticketed shows visit coastaljazz.ca or pick up a Jazz Festival brochure beginning the first week of May at local coffee-shop chain JJ Bean, Vancouver Public Library Branches, Tourism Vancouver Visitor Centre (200 Burrard St.), Vancouver community centres, and various other businesses from Vancouver, B.C. to Washington State.
