Headliner list unveiled for Fort Langley's jazz fest
Musicians launched the free 2024 Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival with a traditional Mardi Gras strolling parade from the Fort Langley Farmers Market to the Fort Langley Community Hall. (Langley Advance Times files)
Langley Advance Times
Organizers of the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival have unveiled the 2025 line-up, promising a summer weekend of unforgettable music, art, culture, and community spirit in one of B.C.'s most popular historic destinations.
From July 24 to 27, the village of Fort Langley will come alive with the sounds of world-class jazz, blues, soul, and fusion performed by acclaimed local, provincial, and national artists, announced Karen Zukas, the festival's co-founder and executive director.
There will be more than 50 Canadian groups performing on three outdoor stages, and in addition to all the free music, there's an iconic Mardi Gras strolling parade, art and Indigenous culture workshops, roaming bands, vendor art market, the Lions Club barbecue, and more, Zukas enthused.
"This year, we're doubling down on our commitment to spotlight Canadian talent and fuelling our local economy," she said, noting last year’s festival drew more than 10,000 attendees to Fort Langley and generated $1.5 million in local economic activity.
"As arts organizations across the country grapple with rising costs and fewer funding opportunities, events like ours are vital platforms for artists and audiences to connect," she said, saying that from its inception in 2018 the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival has been an event geared at celebrating the power of live music and creativity.
“For our 2025 event, we’re building on that momentum with more stages, more artists, and more reasons to enjoy live music, art and culture,” interjected Dave Quinn, event co-founder and artistic director.
Reiterating that there will be three outdoor stages set up throughout the village, he revealed some of the performing artists who will be spotlighted during the weekend. They include Andrea Superstein, Jon Bentley Quartet, John Nicholson Quintet, Raagaverse, Feelin' Alright: A Tribute to Joe Cocker, plus more.
In addition to the free entertainment being offered during the festival weekend, organizers have also lined up a variety of ticketed headline events. Those include a big band matinee concert and evening concert/swing dance with the Vancouver Legacy Jazz Orchestra; the Cool Blues Show featuring six powerhouse acts (Bywater Call, Angelique Francis, Steve Marriner, Brandon Isaak, Jimmy D. Lane, and Robert Conelly Farr); the Soulful Las Vegas-Style Show and Dance (a tribute to Aretha Franklin) by the Siobhan Walsh Group; as well as a gospel show called Jazz AWE: Alternative Worship Experience with The Arias.
The festival is also expanding its youth concert series, showcasing B.C.’s rising jazz stars with performances on the festival weekend, as well as on July 13 and 30, Quinn said.
"At a time of economic uncertainty, there's no better way to support Canadian culture and community than by supporting a local music festival," added Zukas, pointing to meaningful ways of helping, such as buying a ticket, attending a show, volunteering one's time, or simply spreading the word.
For the full line-up and other festival happenings, people can visit the festival website at: www.fortlangleyjazzfest.com or follow their updates on Facebook @fortlangleyjazzfest.
Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival is made possible thanks to sponsors and community partners, including Beltone Hearing Care Centre (Fort Langley), Bria Communities, Conwest, Expedia Cruises (North Langley), Fort Langley Community Hall, Freybe Gourmet Foods, Langley Community Music School, Langley Heritage Society, Macdonald Realty North Langley, Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Sitelines Architecture, Tony Quo Vadis Foundation, Valiant Insurance Services, Wave 98.3, and Wescraft Homes.
"Their contributions help ensure the festival remains free, accessible, and deeply rooted in the spirit of community," said Quinn.