2021 festival runs Sept 2 - 5 + will host in-person audiences for free outdoor shows on Saturday, Sept 4th
The Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival is excited to announce the headlining acts for the 2021 festival, which will be held from Thursday, September 2nd to Sunday, September 5th. The four-day festival will include free outdoor performances on Saturday, September 4th in front of the Fort Langley Community Hall and live-streamed and in-person ticketed shows each evening. Ticket packages for streamed shows are on-sale on Saturday via fortlangleyjazzfest.com.
Here is the 2021 line-up of the headliner streamed ticketed shows:
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd - HIP-HOP/JAZZ SHOW
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd - BLUES SHOW:
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th - JAZZ SHOW:
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th - R&B DANCE PARTY:
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th - SOUL/GOSPEL SHOW (CO-PRESENTED WITH MUSIC HEALS):
“We’re excited to bring our jazz music fans a combination of online and live performances featuring local musicians and musicians from across BC,” said Dave Quinn, artistic director for the festival.
“When the COVID-19 pandemic forced live music events to shut down last year, the festival carried on with our first live-streamed format,” said Quinn. “Then earlier this year we moved the festival forward from July to the September long weekend due to ongoing province-wide COVID-19 restrictions. After navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic for the past year, it will come as no surprise that our theme for the 2021 festival is the power of music and how music heals.”
Music Heals Canada joins the festival as a charity partner and co-presenter of the Sunday Soul Gospel show this year. Tickets to the Soul Gospel show will be by donation to support Music Heals’ mission to raise awareness and funds for the healing power of music and the festival’s youth initiatives (Rising Star, Jazz Education Workshop and supporting up-and-coming youth performances). Music Heals is a charitable foundation that supports a wide range of music therapy services in communities in BC and across Canada.
“Music Heals is thrilled to be the charitable partner of the 2021 Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival,” said Taryn Stephenson, Music Heals Director of Brand Partnerships and Sponsorships.
“Prolonged social isolation due to the pandemic has caused a major spike in mental health related issues such as depression and anxiety. But despite all odds, the world found a way to keep the music alive. From live streams, to outdoor concerts, to mobile stages on the back of pick-up trucks, musicians continued to bring people together through innovative ways. We have seen first hand how music brings people together - even while apart. And now as the world begins to open up we are looking forward to celebrating the resilient, unifying, healing power of music in person.”
Festival Title Sponsor, Odlum Brown Limited notes, “Our core values are to give back where we live and work and to be an integral part of our community, and we are very pleased to be part of the festival once again.” Paul Donaldson, Branch Manager, Director and Portfolio Manager at Odlum Brown Limited added, “With organizations like the festival, we are more connected and I can’t think of a better event to bring us all together.”
The 2021 Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival will announce more additions to the festival in the upcoming weeks. Here are a few of the highlights:
THE 2021 RISING STAR JAZZ MUSICIAN AWARD
The recipient of the 2021 Rising Star Jazz Musician Award is Amber Tsang, a 5th-year music student from Capilano University. As a young vocalist emerging into the Vancouver jazz scene, Amber combines her classic inspirations such as Ella Fitzgerald and Chet Baker with her contemporary influences to deliver her fresh take on time-honoured standards. Amber aspires to encourage representation and equality with her music for young women of colour in the Vancouver jazz scene. As a recipient of the award, she will be performing with her trio at this year's festival.
THE INDIGENOUS JAZZ FUSION CONCERT
The Kwantlen First Nations group, Stomi:x Shweli (Warrior Spirit) and jazz trio,Triology will perform in a commissioned, unique Indigenous jazz-fusion concert that will be streamed to viewers around the world on Saturday, September 4th at 6pm. The concert will feature the performance and interviews with Warrior Spirit and Triology artists on the making of this video by former CBC radio host, Mark Forsythe. This concert is presented by Kwantlen Polytechnic University and supported by the First Peoples’ Cultural Council and Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, proudly representing the Port of Vancouver.
JAZZ EDUCATION WORKSHOP
A full day in-person jazz education workshop for BC high school and college musicians on Sunday, September 5th, 10am - 4pm. The Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz and Arts Festival is giving BC high school and college musicians the chance to enhance their skills, industry knowledge and relationships to thrive in the music industry, through the 2021 Jazz Education Workshop The workshop is supported by the Province of BC and BC Touring Council.. Register here.
Look for more exciting announcements about the 2021 festival in the next few weeks. There are a variety of ticket options available for the festival this year, including streaming packages and streamed single tickets for headliner shows. Tickets for in-person shows will be available in mid-July. Visit fortlangleyjazzfest.com to see all available options and ticket packages.
