Fort Langley Jazz Festival’s Lineup of Free Shows

The Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival has just announced an exciting lineup of 30 free shows this summer, in addition to a host of extraordinary arts programming. The Festival will feature an exciting and eclectic celebration of jazz, music, art and culture July 20-23, 2023.

Fort Langley Jazz Festival’s Lineup of Free Shows

It’s the most diverse line-up yet spanning cultures, genres and borders with extraordinary local, regional, national and international musicians performing across four outdoor stages.

Enjoy local bands like Two Much Guitars with Oliver Gannon and Bill Coon; Raagaverse, a collaborative Indo-Jazz fusion quartet; and Jasmine Jazz which blends the music of the Jodi Proznick Jazz Trio with traditional Chinese music. National acts include two-time Juno jazz vocalist Caity 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.

Cool Blues Shows (Ticketed)

The Festival will host a two-night blues show on Friday and Saturday, July 21 and 22 at Fort Community Park. Experience two unforgettable nights of incredible blues performances from around the world from 4:30pm to 10:00pm each night. 

2023 Cool Blues Show acts are:

Early bird weekend passes are available for just $100 until April 30, 2023. Single tickets and packages go on sale May 1, 2023. Regular Weekend Pass: $120; Single Tickets: $65/night; Youth Tickets (13 – 18 years of age): $30/night; 6 Pack Single Tickets: $340; 12 and under – free, accompanied by an adult.

The Cool Blues Shows will feature a licensed beer garden, food trucks, games area, vendors and more!

Free Events Around Fort Langley During the Festival

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 for free 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 22, 2023. 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. Dress in your best Mardi Gras attire and to arrive at 9:30am.

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 for free here.

On top of all of these wonderful performances, experience the Indigenous Art & Cultural Exhibition, multiple art vendor areas, a licensed beer garden, and more! Kids can enjoy creating harmonicas and participating in a drum circle workshop at the Kid Zone, while the Art Zone will host even more workshops and activities.

With fantastic music, art, and cultural activities throughout the village, the Fort Langley Jazz Festival promises to be a unique experience that celebrates the power of music and art to unite cultures and communities.

Follow along on Instagram and Facebook for all the latest news and updates from the Festival.