Cultivating Shared Experiences, Cohesion and Connection at the 2024 Festival
Announcing the 2024 Free Festival and Ticketed Events!
The Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, diverse musical line-up, fun activities for the entire family, workshops and cultural expressions - and this year will be no exception.
As the Festival gears up to kick off our 2024 rendition from July 25 - 28, we're excited to share a few changes and additions we've rolled into the mix!
This year's focus on streamlining and centralizing activities and performances in the centre of the Village means attendees get even more opportunities to experience everything the Festival offers.
“As always, you’ll get to listen and enjoy local, regional, national and international bands, support young and Indigenous musicians and take in more arts and culture than ever before,” said the Festival’s Artistic Director and Co-Founder, Dave Quinn.
“By bringing every aspect of our dynamic event closer together, the Festival is reimagining its approach to epic experiences in music, art, culture and community,” says the Festival’s Executive Director and Co-Founder, Karen Zukas. “It will be the same wonderful experience that we’ve always provided, with a free, diverse program of great music, art and culture, and the addition of more free workshops for all ages.”
Our goal is to create a cohesive and immersive experience for all. Check out what's in store below!
Thursday: A Tribute to Duke Ellington with the Fred Stride Jazz Orchestra
Sponsored by Fraser Valley Beltone
On Thursday, July 25 from 1 - 3 pm, swing by the Fort Langley Community Hall for an incredible big-band jazz concert featuring the music of Duke Ellington performed by the Fred Stride Jazz Orchestra!
Composer, arranger, and award-winning director, Fred Stride will lead his 16-piece jazz ensemble with a dedication to authentically performing the music of the one and only, Duke Ellington.
Duke Ellington, a jazz, swing, and big-band legend, is renowned for crafting and recording some of jazz music's most beloved standards, including "It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got that Swing)," "Far East Suite," and "Mood Indigo,” added Quinn.
Under Fred Stride's direction, the jazz orchestra will deliver a performance true to the original renditions of Duke Ellington's compositions, utilizing authentic instrumentation and capturing the distinctive sounds of the Duke Ellington Jazz Orchestra.
Don’t miss out on tickets for only $25! Limited seating.
Friday: The Cool Blues Show is a feast for the senses
Presented by The Georgia Straight
The first night of Festival fun will kick off on July 26 from 4-11 pm with the unmissable Cool Blues Show at the Fort Langley Community Park! Showcasing an impressive lineup of five of some of the biggest names in blues music, you won't want to miss this unforgettable night!
Get your dancing shoes ready for our headliners:
Tom Lavin & The Legendary Powder Blues Band
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
Miss Emily
Silent Partners, a tribute to B.B. King,
Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne
The Cool Blues Show won't just be a treat for the ears. Prepare for a symphony of flavours from our lineup of food trucks, fun games, a captivating art installation, artisan vendors, and more! We also have a beer garden featuring refreshing craft beer from Trading Post Brewing and our Blues and Brews Hangout seating area by Freybe Gourmet Foods.
Get your tickets here.
Saturday & Sunday: A free lineup of diverse performances, bountiful activities and engaging workshops!
Celebrate the beginning of the FREE festival performances and activities with our traditional Mardi Gras Strolling Parade on Saturday, July 27 from 9:30 - 10:00 am! Immerse yourself in the camaraderie that makes this event so special as you shuffle, groove, shake or shimmy along with the RazzMaJazz Ensemble from the Fort Langley Farmers Market to the Community Hall and Conwest Stage (our new main stage at the Community Hall).
Once at the Conwest Stage, check out the Indigenous PowWow drumming, dancing and singing that follows the Festival's opening remarks.
Then it’s time to get into it!
This year, our incredible line-up of free performances will take place on two stages in front of the Fort Langley Community Hall: the Conwest Stage and the Rising Spirit Stage (our secondary stage).
The Conwest Stage will act as a primary performance area with a plethora of jazz genres and perspectives to explore. “There will be everything from Latin jazz and vocal jazz to big band and more,” continued Quinn. This includes, among others:
Juno Award-winner and Grammy nominee, Danae Olano, best known for starting the all-female band, Jane Bunnett and Maqueque. Her talent on the piano is sure to enthrall attendees! Learn more: https://www.laolanopiano.com/home
The Hutcheson Andrew Trio will celebrate their first album release by performing a tribute to Tommy Banks. This performance will feature special guests like PJ Perry, Al Muirhead and Mallory Chipman! Learn more: https://chronographrecords.com/artists/hutchinson-andrew-trio/
Wild Blue Herons with Horns are the magnetic husband-and-wife duo of BC Entertainment Hall of Famer, Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper. Adding horns to their lineup, they play groove-oriented jazz with a funky gospel twist. Collectively, this team of musicians has played with everyone from Ray Charles to Celine Dion. Learn more: https://www.wildblueherons.com/
John Korsrud, a Vancouver composer and trumpet player is ready to impress attendees with an exciting tribute to Canada’s composer and trumpet and flugelhorn player, Kenny Wheeler. Learn more: https://www.johnkorsrud.com/
The Rising Spirit Stage will showcase talented Indigenous performers and emerging young musicians, including the winners of this year's Rising Star Jazz Awards.
Sponsored by Langley Community Music School and Metro Vancouver
Check out incredible acts like James Vickers, a 14-year-old Indigenous blues sensation from Vancouver Island, Metis blues musician, Pat Calihou, rising Indigenous singer-songwriter, Hayley Wallis, the family-based drum group Wild River Singers and Dancers, Canadian Indigenous singer/songwriter Norine Braun and of course our Rising Jazz Star winners!
For our full FREE line-up, please scroll down to the end of the blog!
You can also look forward to the rest of our free programming…
Art Zone: Peruse the talented artwork at this year's art vendor market! Their impressive wares will be available for sale, so pick your favourites to take home as Festival souvenirs! Centrally located on Mary Street across from the stages. The Art Zone will also include the Opus Outdoor Painting Challenge and an art workshop tent!
Kidz Zone: The perfect place for your youngest artists and musicians to soak in activities curated just for them! Located across from the Art Market on Mary Street.
Sponsored by Valiant Insurance
Workshops and demonstrations: Awaken your creativity and imagination with free art, music, and cultural activities for people of all ages and abilities! Check out our drum circle, watercolour and acrylic painting workshops, instrument workshops, and Indigenous culture workshops, Located at the Workshop Tents on Mary Street and St. George’s Anglican Church.
Eats and treats: Meander the Village to explore our local cafes, restaurants and ice cream shops. (You may even catch a strolling band!). Or check out the Lion's Club BBQ in front of the Community Hall all day on Saturday and Sunday!
Strolling Band: Catch one of the most authentic and entertaining Punjabi band experiences in Western Canada, The Vijay Brass Band, as they stroll the Village all weekend long. The group has over 30 years of experience and has brought together many of the finest and most diverse musicians in Vancouver to play an energetic blend of Bollywood tunes, Punjabi pop, and traditional Indian music.
Saturday night: Jake and Elwood’s Blues Brother Revue!
If you're a Blues Brother fan, you won't want to miss Jake and Elwood's Blues Brother Revue show featuring a smokin’ showband, high-voltage dance routines, top-notch vocals and hilarious skits.
Bring your fedora and sunglasses for a non-stop, high-octane tribute to the Blues Brothers and be ready for great music and dancing from 8 - 11 pm at the Fort Langley Community Hall Ballroom.
Cash bar. Get your tickets here for only $40!
Sunday: a Jazz AWE finale
Presented by the United Churches of Langley
The festival will close out once again with a Jazz AWE (Alternative Worship Experience) at the United Churches of Langley (9025 Glover Road, Fort Langley, BC). Jazz AWE 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 by-donation performance on Sunday, July 28 at 4:30 pm will feature the Maureen Washington Quartet.
Canadian-International jazz singer, Maureen Washington is one of Vancouver Island’s most sought-after vocalists. Her rich tones and captivating emotions have cultivated large audiences with her styling that encompasses the soul of Etta James, Carmen McRae and the modernity of Holly Cole. And yet she remains a voice of her own.
Learn more about them here: https://www.maureenwashington.ca/home
By donation. Registration is required due to limited seating. Register here.
Leading up to the Festival
Presented by the Ton Quo Vadis Foundation in partnership with the Langley Heritage Society
We have even more great music in store leading up to the Festival. Check out free concerts with our Youth Concert Series Showcase, happening every Sunday from May 26th until July 14th from 1 - 3 pm in the gardens of the Fort Langley Historic CNR Station.
Read about the Series here.
Our 2024 FREE Festival Line-up
Danae Olano
Dino and The Sound of Soul
Ensemble Gergana
Hayley Wallis
Hutchinson Andrew Trio
James Vickers Band
John Korsrud
Maureen Washington Quartet
Norine Braun
Pat Calihou
RazzMaJazz Ensemble
South Van Big Band
Wild Blue Herons with Horns
Wild River Singers and Dancers
Vijay Brass Band
Plus, our two Rising Jazz Star Winners - TBA!
Learn more about the Free Festival weekend and about each of the bands and artists here
Thank you to our funders including the Government of Canada - Heritage Canada, the Province of BC, Metro Vancouver and sponsors, Conwest, Chartwell Retirement Residences, Freybe Gourmet Foods, Langley Community Music School, Valiant Insurance and Wave 98.3.