39th Vancouver International Jazz Festival Kicks Off with Eclectic Lineup

The 39th edition of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival is commencing on June 21, marking the first day of summer. The festival promises a diverse lineup and free concerts along with its signature eclectic programming.

Embodying its tradition, the Festival continues to strive in providing accessible concerts for all. The Downtown Jazz series, which is kicking off this weekend, will feature free concerts in downtown Vancouver, in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Georgia Street.

According to Edouardo Ottoni, the operations director at the Coastal Jazz & Blues Society, the organization behind the festival, the event is fundamentally a massive music celebration open to all music enthusiasts in the city of Vancouver.

Further free or low-cost concerts will take place throughout the festival on Granville Island and under the North Shore Jazz section of the program.

Renowned American jazz guitarist Julian Lage, nominated for the recent Grammy awards for his album ‘Speak To Me,’ will perform on June 25 at the Vancouver Playhouse. Mixing gospel hymns, rural blues, and distorted jazz in his music, Lage is set to deliver a unique performance.

Another highly anticipated artist, jazz and bebop vocalist Veronica Swift, known as one of the top jazz singers in recent years, will grace the stage at the Vancouver Playhouse on June 24 with her eponymous album exploring various genres.

One of the most surprising ensembles in the lineup is the American quintet Irreversible Entanglements, hailing from Chicago, their jazz music fuses elements of punk, rap, and electronic music. The group features poet Moore Mother reciting her poignant verses on socio-political issues.

American rapper and activist Killer Mike, celebrated for his socially conscious lyrics, will present his latest album ‘Michael,’ which was honored at the recent Grammy awards. Known for addressing social inequalities and systemic racism, Killer Mike’s concert on June 29 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre promises to be thought-provoking.

The jazz quartet Bellbird, consisting of two Vancouver-based and two Montreal-based musicians, will take the stage at Ocean Artworks on Granville Island on June 26. The group’s debut album ‘Root In Tandem,’ inspired by nature, showcases their unique blend of jazz with folk and rock elements.

As the Vancouver International Jazz Festival begins, the music scene is set to captivate audiences with a harmonious blend of genres and exceptional talent, offering a memorable experience for all attendees.