HOT PICKS [FRIDAY]

. . . and all that jazz!

June 22, 2007

It’s hailed as one of the best jazz festivals in the world and it’s right here in our town, B.C.’s largest annual music festival – the TD Canada Trust Vancouver International Jazz Festival brought to a venue near you courtesy of the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society, the guiding force behind this musical masterpiece. From June 22nd to July 1st more than 400,000 jazz enthusiasts turn out to pack more than 400 concerts – 130 of which are free!

The festival, the highlight of the city’s cultural calendar for many, doesn’t restrict itself to any strict definition of ‘jazz.’ Artists as diverse as electronic legends Kid Koala and Amon Tobin, local favourites Five Alarm Funk and Brickhouse and Freddie Cole, younger brother of the late, great Nat King Cole, give everyone a resounding reason to check out the score. Contemporary stars such as Norah Jones and jazz legends like Sonny Rollins are also on the festival’s playbill, along with other jazz, swing and big band artists.

All over the city, jazz artists at the top of their form will be swinging at concert halls and nightclubs as well as parks, community centres and neighbourhood streets. You can’t miss it and you shouldn’t!

Find all the Jazz Fest details on their website: www.coastaljazz.ca

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