Headlining artists for the TD Victoria International JazzFest include Booker T’s Stax Revue (Blue Moon Marquee), Ziggy Alberts, Twin Bill: Morgan James & Take 6, and Veronica Swift (Kjetil Mulelid Trio) .
An estimated 35,000 people are expected to attend the June 21-30 event, which the Victoria Jazz Society says has an economic impact of more than $5.5 million in the capital region.
The society bills the festival as “ten hot days and nights of the coolest music in town.”
Plans call for a total of 60 performances and four workshop/clinics on nine stages in downtown Victoria and Esquimalt’s Bullen Park.
More than 250 musicians in 54 bands are taking part, from Canada and the U.S. as well as Australia, Norway, Sweden, Cuba and Venezuela and other countries.
The headliners will appear at the Royal Theatre and McPherson Playhouse, while free performances will take place at the Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park and Bullen Park in Esquimalt.
The Funk & Soul in the Township series at Bullen Park will feature three evenings with Sunny Jain’s Wild Wild East (Avataar), MarchFourth (Tight Hair), and Five Alarm Funk (Grapefruit is Impossible).
Hermann’s Jazz Club will be a venue for eight nights. Performers in the lineup include: the Marc Atkinson Trio featuring Becky Prokova, Audrey Ochoa, Laura Anglade Quartet, Bellbird, Konrad Agnas Quartet, Eliana Cuevas & Jeremy Ledbetter, Hilario Duran Trio, and Scott Hamilton with Triology.
Wicket Hall in the Strathcona Hotel will showcase ex-Snarky Puppy keyboardist/vocalist Cory Henry, LA LOM, Lakecia Benjamin (Attila Fias Trio), and Ulysses Owens Jr. & Generation Y.
As well, the Fathom Lounge at Hotel Grand Pacific will be hosting eight nights of performances.
Free performances will happen June 22 -23 starting at noon each day at the Cameron Bandshell. B.C. artists and bands will be on stage.
Another eight free events are scheduled for June 29-30, beginning at noon each day, at Bullen Park.
In addition, four free workshop/clinics will be held at Esquimalt Rec Centre, hosted by touring artists performing at the festival, including Henry, members of vocal super-group Take 6, acclaimed saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, and prolific drummer Ulysses Owens Jr.
Free performances to mark the JazzFest’s 40th anniversary take place on June 27 in Bullen Park. Busty & The Bass, Blasé Blas, and Downtown Mischief will perform.
For the complete festival line up, artist bios and performance schedule, go to jazzvictoria.ca.
Festival tickets are on sale now.
