The Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival, known for uniting jazz, art, and music fans from near and far, will feature 30 FREE shows in addition to a host of other free programming at this year’s festival, July 20th -23rd.
With attendance surpassing 15,000 people last year, festival organizers have worked tirelessly to ensure the 2023 rendition of the Festival has a broad appeal and a wide array of performances, art and cultural activities.
The Festival will feature an exciting and eclectic celebration of jazz, music, art and culture. Local bands like Two Much Guitars with Oliver Gannon and Bill Coon, Raagaverse, a collaborative Indo-Jazz fusion quartet and Jasmine Jazz which blends jazz with traditional Chinese music will perform alongside national artists like two-time Juno jazz vocalist, Kaity Gyorgy, Indigenous artist and 2020 Juno award winner, Celeigh Cardinal and the high-energy nine-piece group, Apollo Suns that combine instrumental, jazz, rock and psychedelic music.
The Festival will also feature artists and bands from around the world including Gabriel Palatchi Trio, an Argentinian pianist and composer.
In addition to the free musical line-up, this year’s festival also has a diverse range of art and cultural activities for all age groups and interests.
Festival goers can experience the Indigenous Art & Cultural Exhibition featuring workshops, Pow Wow singers, drummers and dancers, and Indigenous-led bands. Kids can enjoy creating harmonicas and participating in a drum circle workshop at the Kid Zone, while the Art Zone provides opportunities for art workshops and fun activities.
And of course, the Festival wouldn’t be the same without the popular ticketed blues show, Cools Blues Show, that will be take place on July 21 and 22 from 4:30pm – 10pm at the Fort Community Park and the free community performances that have become mainstays of the event:
- The festival kicks off Thursday afternoon with a free community concert inside the Fort Langley Community Hall, with Echoes of the Big Band Era featuring the Dal Richards Orchestra. Dal Richards was a mainstay of the big band orchestra era in Vancouver for many years. This concert is expected to draw a big crowd so make sure to register here as there will be limited seating available.
- Launching the weekend’s incredible free festivities will be a crowd-favourite – the New Orleans-style Mardi Gras Strolling Parade on Saturday morning, July 22nd. After making its way from the Fort Langley Farmers Market to the Community Hall Main Stage, the festival’s official opening ceremony will take place. The strolling parade will feature two high energy New Orleans style bands: RazzMaJazz Ensemble and Noxious Obs Society Band. Attendees are encouraged to dress in your best Mardi Gras attire and to arrive at 9:30 am.
- Sunday’s Jazz AWE (Alternative Worship Experience) gives a musical twist to the Sunday church experience. Live jazz music is woven into readings, reflection and conversations. Hosted by Rev. Sophia Ducey, this year’s Jazz AWE features the Circle of Voices Gospel Group, with the incredible vocals of BC Entertainment Hall of Fame Star, Candus Churchill, Leora Cashe, Joseph Chappel and Will Sanders with Jaye Krebs on piano. Register here.
For information, tickets to the Cool Blues Show and to view the full lineup visit here!