Get Excited for the Vancouver International Jazz Festival

Jonny Tobin, Photo: Matt Taylor/Coastal Jazz

Jazz lovers, get ready to kick off summer by heading to the 39th edition of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival (VIJF) at various indoor and outdoor venues across the city from June 21-30. Once again featuring a mix of free and ticketed performances, 2024’s ten-day festival promises a wide array of jazz programming with plenty of choices for concertgoers to choose from.

Headliners

Lido Pimienta, Photo: Matt Taylor/Coastal Jazz

Highlighting the variety of VIJF’s roster, the 2024 festival will be anchored by a headlining performance from Grammy-winning rapper, advocate, and entrepreneur Killer Mike at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on June 29.

Other key festival performances include guitarist Julian Lage (June 25), vocal jazz singer Veronica Swift (June 24), and post-metal supergroup SUMAC featuring an opening set by poet/musician Moor Mother (June 21).

Free Jazz Around Town

Tom Wherret, Photo: Matt Taylor/Coastal Jazz

Looking for some accessible jazz shows? Try Free Jazz Around Town‘s lineup featuring programming at six favourite downtown live jazz music venues, including La Fabrique St. George Winery, Frankie’s Jazz Club, Guilt & Co., Tyrant Studios, Vivace on the Drive and Water St. Café, as part of the Club Series in addition to five North Shore locations for the North Shore Jazz Series.

Another option for free jazz includes the return of Downtown Jazz, VIJF’s big concert series of twenty shows on two stages outside the Vancouver Art Gallery at šxwƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square, taking place from June 22-23 with sets beginning at noon until the last performance of the night at 7:30pm.

There are also plenty of Free Public Workshops available for those looking to shore up their jazz knowledge and education.

Granville Island Jazz

Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few, Photo: Matt Taylor/Coastal Jazz

Granville Island Jazz will again be the hub for festival activity, with full days of free and ticketed shows planned at intimate venues and clubs across the island throughout the festival.

At Ocean Artworks, enjoy free 4pm performances from June 22-30 by Biboye Onanuga Quartet, Sister Jazz Quintet, Cat Toren, John Korsrud Quintet, Sam Wilson Trio, Taras Luka Sextet, Chris Gestrin Trio Celebrates Shirley Scott, and the Sharon Minemoto Quartet.

Hit up Performance Works when six artists take over the venue for free afternoon performances between June 26-30. Don’t miss the closing night performance by the renowned Wayne Horvitz Electric Circus on June 30.

Drop by the Revue Stage for VIJF’s Innovation Series from June 26-30. The series of ten performances features a selection of established creative jazz ensembles and new improvisation collaborations with pay-what-you-can 5pm performances and ticketed 9:30pm evening sets.

Lido Pimienta, Photo: Matt Taylor/Coastal Jazz

The annual Vancouver International Jazz Festival attracts over a hundred thousand attendees yearly. Organized by the Coastal Jazz & Blues Society since 1985, the festival is committed to establishing Vancouver as a cultural centre for exchanging sounds and ideas between local, national, and international music communities.

To purchase tickets or browse the festival guide, visit Coastal Jazz’s website.