The Hopper Pass!

The Hopper Pass!
What a cool idea!
60 concerts for $75 bucks!

This is one sweet way to really maximize the Jazz Festival adventure without hitting up the bank manager for a major loan. I wish I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard someone say they’re going to some shows but would go to even more concerts if only they had the cash. That shouldn’t be a problem now.

 

The Lost Fingers

But, besides the incredible value here, the outstanding feature of the Hopper Pass is the flexibility it allows to check out artists and bands not yet on the personal radar. Discovering new bands is a big reason to take in the Festival in the first place and with five venues—many within walking distance– it’s super easy to ‘hop around’ and catch all kinds of local, national, and international jazz, funk, improv, world music, and alt/indie groups layin’ down their thing.

 

Trombone Shorty

Ever since the Jazz Festival started back in 1986 musical diversity and a hip vibe have been the main staples of the experience. The Hopper Pass is only going to make the experience even more exciting and memorable than it’s ever been. So Hoppers unite—get ready for some major music mashing!

The Bad Plus

Jazz History of Vancouver - Famous Artists

Vancouver has always been connected to Jazz music. Therefore, this article is all about the Jazz history of Vancouver divided into four parts. Today, we are going to present to you some of the most Vancouverite artists.


Harrison Lance (June 23, 1920- November 26, 2000)

Harrison Lance was a multi-instrumentalist Jazzman playing alto saxophone, banjo, clarinet and he was even a singer. He devoted his life to this art, playing within bands such as the Royal Canadian Air Force band during World War II, Dixieland Jazz or Red Beans and Rice band.
Harrison Lance was a real Vancouverite, performing for the most part of his life in Vancouver; that is possibly the reason why he is so special here in Vancouver.


Eleanor Collins (November 21, 1919— present)

"It's all music, really. Life is."
-Eleanor Collins

Eleanor Collins, born in 1919, was Vancouver’s first lady of Jazz. In 1939 she decided to move to Vancouver, where she sang in various vocal groups including The Three E’s or The Swing Low Quartet.
Eleanor Collins became famous with her own national music TV show called The Eleanor Show in 1955. Various well-known Vancouver musicians, for instance, Ray Norris Quintet, Fraser MacPherson, Dave Robbins or pianist Chris Gage performed at The Eleanor Show together with Eleanor Collins herself.
In 1975 she headlined the Dominion Day Ceremonies on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.


Chris Gage ( December 12, 1927 – December 27, 1964)

Chris Gage is known for his piano talent, he is considered Vancouver’s greatest pianist in the 1950s.
He was also a pianist at Vancouver’s first jazz club, The Cellar in the 1950s.
Additionally, he performed at The Eleonor show accompanying Eleonor Collins herself but also in other CBC TV programs.
His death by suicide was a real shock to the Vancouver Jazz scene as he was everybody’s favourite piano player.

Join the Jazz Education Program

"Hey kid, do you think you could lead a band?"

When you think of your musical heroes, it can be easy to feel that they were always destined for glory and a bit out of reach…But every star has a brave and uncertain start.

Vancouver Swing Legend, Dal Richards, recalls forming his first little band in high school after hearing Benny Goodman on the radio. In the early 1930s, he played clarinet in the Kitsilano Boys Band. After graduating from Magee Secondary, Dal went straight into the clubs as a working musician. He was a sideman at the Palomar Ballroom, when they asked him:

"Hey kid, do you think you could lead a band?" His response was… "Sure," and the rest is history.

Now Dal is opening the door for aspiring young talents through the Dal Richards Scholarship Fund.

2010 Dal Richards Scholarship Winner, Chelsea McBride, first caught our eye in the TD High School Jazz Intensive Program. Chelsea was thrilled to play live at the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, with her hero Dal, and is now starting her post-secondary music studies with a head start on tuition.

Another legendary musician and Scholarship Founder, Fraser MacPherson recalls a tentative start,

“I used to drive my father crazy I think…It really never occurred to me that one could make a living at this….I found myself in the Commerce Department. It seemed like a practical thing to do…I was in my 5th year…had a chance to play at the Palomar so I grabbed it!”

Visit Jazz Street Vancouver for more Jazz legends.

Aspiring ‘jazzers’ Audition Now! Catch your break at TD High School Jazz Intensive 2011.

TD High School Jazz Intensive AUDITIONS ARE NOW ON through April 15, 2011. A whole new round of jazz talents will ‘cut their teeth’ at the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Students (Grades 10, 11 and 12) are selected from across the Lower Mainland to form a Big Band of exciting young musicians. This is an amazing opportunity.

FREE Top Training & a Pro Gig… Band members get to learn from world-class jazz masters, rehearse with talented friends and enjoy workshops and concerts. Their residency culminates in a free, live performance at the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

Music Composition…Aspiring songwriters in the band, can enter our composition contest. The winning tune will be arranged by Artist-in-Residence/Conductor, Nicole Mitchell, and featured in the final TD High School Jazz Intensive Big Band Show.

Scholarships…Participants are also eligible for music scholarships –including the Dal Richards Scholarship, Fraser MacPherson Scholarship Fund and special Awards from our TD Sponsors.

Want to learn more and prepare your application? Visit us here:

STUDENTS! AUDITION NOW! High School Jazz Intensive (June 24-July 3, 2011)!

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Watch TD High School Jazz Intensive 2008 on SHAW TV

Questions? Please contact Zaena Campbell: zaena@coastaljazz.ca
Education, Outreach & Community Programs