Local jazz impresarios Tim Reinert (Infidels Jazz) and Cory Weeds (Cellar Music) have joined forces to launch VanJazz ’26, a new kind of jazz festival launching this fall. Held at venues across the city of Vancouver, Burnaby, and North Vancouver, VanJazz ’26 reflects the spirit of collaboration that is a hallmark of the music and will feature over 100 concerts over the 11 days from October 14-25, 2026.

Featured visiting artists include Julian Lage, the Darius Jones Trio,  legendary bassist Buster Williams, New York trumpeter Adam O'Farrill, Chicago saxophonist Ken Vandermark with locals Kenton Loewen and James Meger, and avant-pianist Myra Melford Splash Trio. Granville Island’s Revue Stage features American vibraphonist and multi-instrumentalist Warren Wolf & drummer Carl Allen with the Vancouver Jazz Orchestra. The Fox Cabaret will host the cinematic soul-jazz of Chicago’s RESAVOIR with Gregory Uhlmann, and it’s party time at the American on Main Street with Chicago’s Dos Santos and the blue-collar organ jazz of Fonville x Fribush. Los Angeles-based saxophone legend Vinny Golia will also be presenting two special concerts. 

Local artists are a priority for this festival, with a diverse selection of the region’s finest talent. Highlights include the Beles Band led by trumpeter Feven Kidane and trombonist Nebyu Yohannes playing Ethio-jazz, vocalist Krystle Dos Santos paying tribute to Amy Winehouse, and Dawn Pemberton singing the Music of D’Angelo, all at the Rickshaw. Dawn also takes on the First Ladies of Jazz at the TELUS Theatre at the Chan Centre. The legendary VEJI is at the Revue Stage, and the American hosts freeform psychedelia from Earthball, performing with Peregrine Falls and a full-on Cuban celebration with Julio Avila and ensemble. Alliance Française Theatre hosts a tribute to the late and beloved Vancouver pianist Paul Plimley, as well as a album release concert by Saul Berson’s Asef. There will be a 10-night lineup at Frankie’s Jazz Club, including a closing night performance by Jodi Proznick with Mark McLean (October 25). Other highlights include The Rocky Horror Music Show at the Hollywood Theatre, guitarists Jocelyn Gould and Itamar Erez at Moberley Arts Centre, and Aretha Tillotson at Hero’s Welcome (October 18). The always-popular Ghibli Jazz Orchestra levels up with a concert at the Chan Centre (October 24), and Steve Maddock sings Tony Bennett at the Shadbolt Centre (October 15).

More concerts will be announced in the coming weeks, with a full line up and website expected by the end of August. 

VANJAZZ 2026 HIGHLIGHTS: