What's New

amanda tosoff quartet... coming to Hermann's Jazz Club! “This group exemplifies so many of the great and positive things that young jazz musicians
have going for them;compositional talent, instrumental talent, and the devotion o the music!” Kattie Malloch (CBC Radio’s “ Jazz Beat”)

Date: Friday, September 24 – 8pm
Venue: Hermann’s Jazz Club (753 View)
Tickets: $15.00 incl. HST Advance/VJS Members ($18.00 incl. HST @ the door)
Available:Royal & McPherson Box Office and its outlets (250-386-6121 or online at(www.rmts.bc.ca), Lyle’s Place, Hermann’s Jazz Club and the Victoria Jazz Society office (250-388-4423). [more info]

Vancouver Island Blues Bash....may be singing the blues itself!

With no additional cash sponsorships secured for next year, the Vancouver Island Blues Bash may be cancelled in 2011!


The Victoria Jazz Society is reaching out to the Victoria business community and the general public in search of potential sponsorship and donations for the Vancouver Island Blues Bash. With the current changes to the application criteria for the B.C. Government’s “Community Gaming Grant”, the VJS and its programs will not qualify for any future funding. The Vancouver Island Blues Bash will face its final year in 2010 with no ongoing corporate cash sponsorships and this anticipated loss of financial support from the Provincial Government.

Current supporters of the 16th Annual Vancouver Island Blues Bash (Sept 4-6) include government grantors: Canadian Heritage, Province of British Columbia (Community Gaming Grant), The City of Victoria and the Capital Regional District. Corporate sponsors include: Times Colonist, 100.3 The “Q”, Arbutus RV & Marine Sales LTD., Hotel Grand Pacific, Pacific Audio Works and Big Rock Brewery.

Darryl Mar, Executive/Artistic Director of the Victoria Jazz Society states “The reality is that the 2010 festival will be the last for the Vancouver Island Blues Bash without a significant cash sponsorship for next year’s festival. With the anticipated loss of funding in future years from the province’s Community Gaming Grant and the lack of cash sponsorships, the Vancouver Island Blues Bash will be facing a funding deficit of $15,000 for the 2011 festival. As the Vancouver Island Blues Bash breaks even in a good year, cancelling this festival in the future is the only viable alternative if cash sponsorships cannot be secured.”

With the demise of many festivals and arts events province-wide, the Victoria Jazz Society believes that it is important to sustain this favorite event of many Victorians and visitors to our city, as it is the longest running festival on Vancouver Island which presents blues in all its forms in a multi-day format. Over 15,000 people attend the Vancouver Island Blues Bash annually.

The VJS will be holding a fundraising effort to replace the anticipated $15,000 loss prior to the festival, by looking for corporate sponsors as well as donations from individuals to sustain current levels of programming for the 2011 Vancouver Island Blues Bash.

For further information about possible sponsorships please contact the VJS at 250-388-4423.

Click here - Blues Bash Survey!!! Take a minute to fill out our survey for the 16th Annual Vancouver Island Blues Bash 2010 and you could find yourself sitting in the hottest seats in the house at one of the Victoria Jazz Society's upcoming Concert Series Presentations. It only takes a minute!!! [more info]

BLues Bash is Fast approaching...Tickets on sale now!

Celebrate the end of summer by rockin’ and groovin’ to live R&B, blues and more at the 16th Annual Vancouver Island Blues Bash located right on Ship Point on Victoria's majestic Inner Harbour!

Headliners for the ticketed evening performances are world renowned blues guitarist Coco Montoya($28) and legendary harmonica player James Cotton and his “Superharp” Band($28).
The 2010 Vancouver Island Blues Bash also presents three afternoons of free admission performances from 12pm – 5:15pm September 4, 5 & 6 featuring some of Vancouver Island’s best blues and R&B bands.

*SAVE BIG!
Ticket Combo for both James Cotton “Superharp” Band and Coco Montoya only $45! (HST incl.)
Ticket Combo (one ticket to each show) only available through the VJS office.

Tickets: McPherson Box Office and its outlets (250-386-6121 or online at http://www.rmts.bc.ca), Lyle’s Place and the Victoria Jazz Society office (250-388-4423).

Ira Smolkin...Winner of the "Jazz Ensemble Handbill" contest!!

Ira Smolkin is the lucky recipient of 4 tickets to see Ola Onabule & Meshell Ndegeocello @ Centennial Square- Saturday, July 3 @ 7pm. There are still some tix available so come and join us for what will prove to be one of the best shows of the festival!

Congratulations to WEs Carol- 2010 Darryl Mar Scholarship winner!!!

The Victoria Jazz Society is pleased to announce that this year’s Darryl Mar Music Scholarship will be awarded to Wesley Caroll-Preyde, a 17-year-old student graduating this year from Mount Douglas Secondary School in Victoria.

The Darryl Mar Music Scholarship is a cash award of $1000 given to a music student graduating from a public high school in the Greater Victoria area. The award is to be used for continuing the student’s studies in jazz, blues or world music at a post-secondary level of their own choice.

The scholarship will be presented to Wes Carol on Friday, June 25 during the opening night of the TD Victoria International JazzFest on stage at the Royal Theatre prior to the George Benson concert.

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