Supporting and promoting Vancouver’s vibrant and emerging jazz scene

KneeJerk at Tyrant Studios

KneeJerk has quickly become one of the most exciting Free Jazz groups in Canada, with Brian Horswill (piano), Karlis Silins (bass), and Kenton Loewen (drums) thrilling audiences both with their dynamic live performances, and with their debut album, released in 2023 on the Infidels Jazz label. Now with the inclusion of Cole Schmidt on guitar, they’ve added new complexities to their sound, while keeping the chaotic minimalism that has become a hallmark of their performances.

Feven Kidane Quartet at the Painted Ship

Feven Kidane is a jazz trumpeter whose vision in the Black American Music practice is one of tradition, focus, and spirituality. Tunes and arrangements chosen for this special performance at the Painted Ship will be by some of the greats, as well as originals by Kidane. Recent shows by Kidane at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, the Vancouver International Film Centre, and Chill X Studios have all sold out, so make sure you get to the Painted Ship early on this one. Tickets won’t be sold in advance, and it’s first come, first serve.

Kokoroko North American Tour

Acclaimed Afrobeat fusion band KOKOROKO is coming to Vancouver! Featuring 8 of the most exciting Jazz musicians on the London scene, and fresh off of several fantastic releases on Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood label, this band is coming to Vancouver for the first time ever at the legendary Hollywood Theatre!

Bruce Freedman Quartet at Zameen Art House

Transposing his cut-up visual art practice over to music, saxophonist Bruce Freedman disassembles and reassembles musical elements in ways that can surprise the musicians as much as the audience. With Josh Zubot violin, James Meger bass, and Cesar Chew drums, Freedman’s controlled chaos cuts from intense energy to spacious reflection. Bruce Freedman’s Collage album was released earlier this year through Infidels Jazz.

Rocky Horror Music Show at the Fox Cabaret

The Rocky Horror Picture Show has become a global phenomenon, thrilling audiences at movie theatures all over the world for almost 50 years. For this special performance at Vancouver’s legendary Fox Cabaret, a 13 person live band will perform the soundtrack to this iconic film. Plus a special set of Halloween music peformed by the Cryptkeepers! Seating will be limited.

Mat Maneri & Lucian Ban at Pyatt Hall

American violist Mat Maneri & Romanian pianist Lucian Ban are two of the international improvising community’s brightest stars. They have been performing together for many years, and in August of 2024 are releasing their second album on ECM, a revisit of the Transylvanian folk music that inspired the great composer, Bela Bartok.

For this very special performance at Pyatt Hall, they will be exploring the Transylvanian folk music that this album stemmed from, as well as other Bartok themes.

Postcards From Zambia at Hero’s Welcome

Postcards From Zambia are a polyrhythmic fusion of modal jazz and traditional percussion music from various Zambian cultures. Though the group draws inspiration from all over this central/southern African country, their repertoire is especially focussed on Luvale (and related) music from Zambia’s Northwestern Province. In essence, the Postcards recreate a traditional ngoma ensemble through the orchestration, improvisation, and arranging tendencies of the jazz idiom. Percussionist Jason Winikoff and drummer Chris Blaber recreate the tightly interlocking rhythmic foundation while Feven Kidane (trumpet), Dean Thiessen (piano), and Noah Gotfrit (bass) fill the roles of a call-and-response choir. The result is an energetic, grooving, joyful, and powerful musical meditation that can be enjoyed from the contemplative comfort of your seat or the dancefloor. Bandleader and arranger Jason Winikoff has spent years studying under, performing alongside, and working with various elite Zambian dance troupes such as Lenga Navo, Likumbi Lya Mize Chibolya, and Chota. He is a student of the renowned cultural custodians Kapalu Lizambo, Josephine Sombo Muzala Chipango, William Vunda, and Douglas Mwila as well as a proud partner of the Likumbi Lya Mize Cultural Association. He is honored to bring a slice of Luvale culture to Vancouver with the help of this scene’s most creative and sensitive musicians.

Gals & Pals with the Leading Ladies at the Pearl

For over five years, 11-woman big band The Leading Ladies have been thrilling audiences all over the Lower Mainland with their unique blend of modern cool and classic swing, all under the direction of Casey Thomas-Burns. On Sunday, November 10th, The Ladies make their long awaited debut at the Pearl on Granville with Gals & Pals, a brand new show featuring some of the city’s top R&B & Pop vocalists and bands, including Dawn Pemberton, Krystle Dos Santos, Club Sofa, Tess Anderson, with more surprises to be announced in the coming weeks!

The Ladies will be dipping into the more contemporary side of their repertoire for this special show, with familiar R&B & Pop hits sung by some of your favourite local singers.