It’s fast becoming one of the most celebrated jazz festivals in the world, and it’s all ours.
Tomorrow the first wave of roughly 500,000 visitors and musicians is expected to descend on the city for the 24th annual TD Canada Trust Vancouver International Jazz Festival.
John Orysik, a festival spokesman, said it is the province’s biggest music event, and journalists from around the world are coming to review it.
“We’re everywhere,” Orysik said. “We’re in all the major theatres, night clubs and restaurants, parks and community centres. We close Gastown for the street festival (and) there are free concerts at Granville Island.”
Around 1,800 musicians will be partaking in 400 performances at 40 indoor and outdoor free and ticketed venues until July 5.
Highlights include award-winning saxophonists Sonny Rollins and David Sanborn, as well as Derek Trucks, who was named one of the 100 best guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.
Orysik said the festival also supports emerging artists.
“There’s really something for everybody.”
