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.