Vancouver Jazz Festival battles challenges to make a comeback for 41st season

Rising star Tomoki Sanders plays the 41st Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Photo by Erik Bardin /CoastalJazz

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It’s both a big year and a challenging one for the Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

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While celebrations are in order for the centennials of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, as well the death of jazz greats such as Sonny Rollins, organizers have faced several hurdles when preparing for the local event’s 41st year.

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The major challenge has been going up against the World Cup and the FIFA Fan Fest, which take place from June 19 to July 5, dates that coincide with the jazz festival.

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“How to negotiate the FIFA restrictions and address the increasing challenges of staging a multi-day event, from rising costs to available artists, has been extremely hard,” said Nina Horvath, executive director of Coastal Jazz, which produces the annual event. “There is always discomfort bringing in major global events like World Cup, which you acknowledge while having to find ways to mitigate their impacts on events like ours.”

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Horvath says the weak Canadian dollar compared with the U.S. dollar has also pinched the proceedings.

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“The 30 per cent hit from the exchange rate is really burning us too,” she notes.

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But the show must go on. And they’ve found a way to move forward. Drawing on a long legacy of expertise means this year’s festival is still loaded with excellent music for local listeners to enjoy.

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Despite admitting securing marquee acts was another difficult challenge, Horvath is extremely happy with this year’s variety in the lineup.

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Rising international stars such as Tomoki Sanders, with the Todd Stewart Trio (June 25, The Birdhouse, 8 p.m.), and others are sure to make an impression. Plus, the local scene is better than ever and packed with talented new artists. They’re showcased this year like never before at ticketed venues, as well as the free shows and Downtown Jazz weekend at Vancouver Art Gallery/šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square on June 27 and 28.

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The Downtown Jazz Georgia Stage at the Vancouver Art Gallery is a highlight of opening weekend.

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Accessible events are a key pillar of the jazz festival programming, according to Horvath.

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“There has been a well-reported shift where people are either spending huge amounts on a Taylor Swift show or going to low-cost events, but the middle is losing out,” she said. “We want music to be accessible to all economic levels and the free and lower-cost performances are a foundational part of the festival.”

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Keyon Harrold presents his tribute to Miles Davis at the jazz fest. Photo by Kwafu Alston /Coastal Jazz

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Performances honouring the foundation of the genre this year include trumpeter Keyon Harrold’s Foreverland and Songs For Miles (June 30, Vancouver Playhouse, 7:30 p.m.), and saxophonist Isaiah Collier’s Collier Plays Coltrane (July 1, Vancouver Playhouse, 7:30 p.m.).

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Vancouver’s very own Grammy-winning label Cellar Live is also being showcased. The Cellar Live 25th Anniversary with Cory Weeds’ Little Big Band, featuring Jerry Weldon and the Noah Fanche-Nolan Trio show (July 3 at Performance Works, 7:30 p.m.), is a milestone for Vancouver tenor saxophonist Weeds.