Fort Langley Jazz Festival

The Fort Langley Jazz and Arts Festival is a music festival in the summer each year. Some of its events are free and others are ticketed.

In 2023 the performances run from July 20th until July 23rd.

This article contains the following information about the festival:

Fort Langley Jazz Festival in 2023

In 2023 the Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz Festival runs from Thursday, July 20th, until Sunday, July 23rd. This year the festival happens in-person with live entertainment. There are indoor and outdoor stages with free and ticketed shows.

Last year’s event featured over five dozen different bands and 300 musicians. About 15,000 or so people attended the festival in 2022. The 2023 festival will likely be similar.

Click Fort Langley Jazz for the festival’s official website.

Where and When

The Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival takes place at a number of venues in Fort Langley. The main venue is at the Community Hall which is located at 9167 Glover Road in the heart of the village. Other stages are scattered around the town. See further below for details.

The community of Fort Langley itself is located on the Fraser River in the northern part of the Township of Langley on the opposite side of the river from Maple Ridge.

In 2022 the festival ran from July 21st until the 24th. Performances took place at various venues including at Chief Sepass Theatre, the Fort Langley Community Hall, Fort Langley Historic Site and various other locations around town.

The 2023 festival runs from Thursday, July 20th, until Sunday, July 23rd. The festival once again has its free outdoor stages including the Main Stage in front of the Community Hall, the Youth & Emerging Stage, Indigenous Art & Culture Exhibition, and the Art Zone. There is also the opening free big band concert inside the hall.

New for 2023 is a headliner Jazz act at the new Cultural Centre in Fort Langley on July 20th. Then, on the weekend of July 21st and 22nd, there is a ticketed, gated area for two nights of Roots & Blues featuring a couple of stages, a beer garden, food trucks and vendor area. It’s going to be awesome!

Click Fort Langley Jazz for the festival’s official website.

Fort Langley Jazz with Christine Jensen

Tickets and Schedule

Ticket prices and performance details for the 2023 festival are to be confirmed. For an idea of what to expect, continue reading the 2022 details below.

The 2022 festival was the biggest one yet! A Jazz Concert Series took place each night at the Chief Sepass Theatre located at 9096 Trattle Street. There was also a Friday Night Blues Show & Dance happening at the Fort Langley National Historic Site on July 22nd with food trucks, picnic-style seating and performances by Sue Foley and other musicians.

Free concerts also took place outside the Fort Langley Community Hall at 9167 Glover Road. There were half a dozen or so outdoor stages at various locations around the town with free entertainment on the weekend last year.

2022 Ticket Prices

Early-bird tickets for each of the 2022 nightly concerts at the Chief Sepass Theatre started at $32 per person including online fees. Regular (non-early-bird) ticket prices were about $10 or so more. Tickets at the door cost about $50 per person.

Packs of tickets were also available online. Watching two shows on the same night cost about $76 per person. Attending any four shows cost about $148 per person.

The Thursday Night Opening Gala Event cost $120 to attend. Early-bird tickets for the Friday Night All-Star Blues Show started at about $80.

Below is part of the festival’s schedule from 2022. The first list is of last year’s ticketed events. The second list is of free live concerts that took place outdoors.

Jazz Concert Series Schedule

The following concerts take place at Chief Sepass Theatre in 2022. They were great events and required tickets.

(Note: Exact details were subject to change.)

Thursday, July 21st, 2022

7:00 pm – Zappostrophe’
9:00 pm – Steelin’ in the Years

In addition to the above, there were also ticketed concerts at the Fort Langley Community Hall with the Grand Slam Jazz Band at 6:00 pm and the Rugcutter Dance Orchestra from 7:00 until 10:00 pm.

Friday, July 22nd, 2022

7:00 pm – Molly Johnson
9:00 pm – The Shuffle Demons

In addition to the above, the Friday Night Blues Show took place at the Fort Langley Historic Site from 6:00 until 10:00 pm. Featured artists included Sue Foley, the Mojo Stars, Brent Parkin and Terminal Station.

Saturday, July 23rd, 2022

7:00 pm – Michael Sarian Quartet
9:00 pm – Champian Fulton Quartet

Sunday, July 24th, 2022

7:00 pm – Junior Santos
9:00 pm – Warren Dean Flandez (Cancelled)

Click Fort Langley Jazz for the festival’s official website.

2022 Free Concerts

The following events were free and outdoors in front of the Fort Langley Community Hall.

Thursday, July 21st, 2022

1:00 pm – Rugcutter Dance Orchestra (TBC)

Saturday, July 23rd, 2022

10:00 am – RazzMaJazz
12:00 pm – Nick La Riviere and The Best Laid Plans
2:00 pm – The Leading Ladies Little Big Band
4:00 pm – Laurie Morvan Band

In addition to the above, the Mardi Gras Strolling Parade happened on Saturday, July 23rd, from 9:00 until 9:30 am. It went from the site of the Fort Langley Farmers Market at St. Andrew’s United Church and made its way down Glover Road. Participating in the parade were the Noxious Obs Society Band and the RazzMaJazz Ensemble.

Also on the Saturday, there was live music and other things to see and do at the CN Station Stage, River Stage, Art Zone Stage, Kids’ Zone Stage and Kwantlen Cultural & Art Exhibition. See below for more information about the free activities at these other venues from 2022.

Sunday, July 24th, 2022

10:00 am – Hugh Penner Quartet
12:00 pm – John Stetch Trio
3:00 pm – The Paul Perry Jazz Orchestra featuring PJ Perry and Brad Shigeta
4:00 pm – The Universal Gospel Choir

In addition to the above, there was also free live music and other entertainment all over town on the CN Station, River, Art Zone and Kids’ Zone stages as well as at the Kwantlen Cultural & Art Exhibition.

Jazz Musicians Outside Fort Langley Train Station — Mardi Gras Parade outside the Station Museum

2022 Pop-Up Stages

Live music also took place on a number of smaller stages around the village in 2022. Crowds at these venues are generally smaller, but the music is all very good. Musicians played at the CN Station Stage, River Stage, Art Zone Stage, Bedford Plaza Stage and Kidz Zone Stage. See below for details about each location.

CN Station Stage

The CN Station Stage was in front of Fort Langley’s CN Station located at 23245 Mavis Avenue. It showcased youth and emerging artists. In 2022 live music at this venue included the following:

Saturday, July 23rd, 2022

11:00 am – The Imus and Geddes Quintet
1:00 pm – Fourtet
3:00 pm – Maya & Ben

Sunday, July 24th, 2022

11:00 am – The Ethan Lawrence Quartet
1:00 pm – Maya & Ben

River Stage

The River Stage was by the water across the street from the Fort Pub & Grill at 9272 Glover Road. This venue wasis set up as an outdoor patio beer garden which made it especially nice. Performances here in 2022 included the following:

Saturday, July 23rd, 2022

11:00 am – Michelle Marley & Friends
1:00 pm – Quinn, Schulz and Shakur
3:00 pm – Ari Lahdekorpi Trio

Sunday, July 24th, 2022

11:00 am – The Shannon Lee Quartet
1:00 pm – Slim Sandy and the Hillbilly Boppers
3:00 pm – Daryl Jahnke Trio

Click Fort Langley Jazz for the festival’s official website.

Ashley Pater Trio — Ashley Pater Band on Fort Park Stage

Art Zone Stage

The Art Zone Stage was at the intersection of River Road & Mavis Avenue in the picnic area next to the National Historic Fort. In addition to the stage there were food trucks and other vendors of different kinds. Also in the area, as the venue’s name suggests, there was lots of beautiful art on display. 2022 performances included the following:

Saturday, July 23rd, 2022

12:00 pm – John Gilliat Trio
2:00 pm – Brave New Band
3:30 pm – Noedy HD Quintet
5:00 pm – The New Groovement

Sunday, July 24th, 2022

11:00 am – Fran Jaré Quartet
1:00 pm – Itamar Erez Quartet
3:00 pm – Attila Fias Trio
5:00 pm – The New Groovement

Click Fort Langley Jazz for the festival’s official website.

Noxious Obs Society Band at Fort Langley Station — Noxious Obs Society at the CNR Station

Kidz Zone Stage

The Kidz Zone Stage was located across the street from the Fort Langley Community Hall at 9167 Glover Road. Along with the music there were designated children’s activities with hands-on fun like a drum circle, instrument-building and painting. Performances here in 2022 included the following:

Saturday, July 23rd, 2022

11:00 am – Penny Pom Pom
12:00 pm – The SuperFun StiltWalking Family
2:00 pm – Norman Foote
3:30 pm – The SuperFun StiltWalking Family

Sunday, July 24th, 2022

11:00 am – Penny Pom Pom
1:00 pm – Norman Foote
3:00 pm – Peter G-G

Kwantlen Art & Cultural Stage

The Kwantlen Art & Cultural Stage was located at Bedford Landing at 9271 Glover Road. The area was where you could also see Indigenous artifacts and exhibits, along with beading and weaving demonstrations, all shared by Kwantlen First Nation. Performers in 2022 included the following:

Saturday, July 23rd, 2022

11:00 am – Wild River & Michell Family Pow Wow Dancers
1:00 pm – Wild River & Michell Family Pow Wow Dancers
3:00 pm – Curtis Clear Sky & the Constellationz

Sunday, July 24th, 2022

11:00 am – Wild River & Michell Family Pow Wow Dancers
1:00 pm – Wild River & Michell Family Pow Wow Dancers
3:00 pm – The Spiritual Warriors with Russell Wallace

Click Fort Langley Jazz for the festival’s official website.

Fort Langley's Bedford Plaza — Bedford Plaza Stage

2022 Music in the Fort

In addition to all of the above venues, live Jazz also happened at various bars and restaurants around town. Below is the schedule of Jazz in the Fort entertainment from 2022.

Friday, July 22, 2022

The Daryl Jahnke Duo – at Saba Bistro at 9220 Glover Road from 3:00 until 6:00 pm.
Nuvo Zydeco – at Beatniks Bistro at 9194 Glover Road from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.
Emily Best – at the Trading Post Eatery at 9143 Glover Road from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Laura Crema and Bill Coon – at Saba Bistro at 9220 Glover Road from 3:00 until 6:00 pm.
Brent Parkin – at Beatniks Bistro at 9194 Glover Road from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.
John Gilliat – at the Trading Post Eatery at 9143 Glover Road from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.

Sunday, July 24, 2022

Michelle Marley & Friends (Doug Louie & Ron Thompson) – at Mangia e Scappa at 23238 Mavis Avenue from 6:00 until 9:00 pm.

History of the Jazz Festival

The Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz Festival is a fabulous event! It’s fun, family-friendly and affordable, and it takes place in a beautiful setting. It also features amazing Jazz musicians and concerts.

Since its beginning in 2018, the festival took place as a live event in its first two years and then as a primarily virtual event in 2020. In 2021 it ran as a hybrid festival with a mix of pre-recorded, live-streamed and in-person concerts and events. In 2022 the festival was back with lots of in-person activities. The same is the case in 2023.

Jazz Festival Video

To give you an idea of what to expect, check out the following video that features the sights and sounds of the festival from a past year. As you’ll see, there is lots of live music as well as art displays and food to enjoy.

Featured in the video are Mike Vaneyes (in the distance), Blues Hoodoo, the local Rotary Club (at the pancake breakfast), and the Conga Cartel.

Concerts and Venues

Live music performances take place at various venues around town during the festival most years. There is usually a ticketed event each evening and concerts on the lawn in front of the Community Hall on the Saturday and Sunday.

Other smaller venues featuring live music over the course of the weekend usually include the Bedford Plaza Stage, Fort Park Stage, CNR Stage and River Stage.

Click Fort Langley Jazz for the festival’s official website.

Fort Langley Jazz Festival Activities

In addition to the various Jazz performances, other activities at the festival in 2019 included an All “That Jazz Art” Exhibit and a Kidz Zone area for children. In 2022 the Kidz Zone returned, in addition to the Kwantlen Art & Cultural Exhibition, Art Zone and more.

Kwantlen Art & Cultural Exhibition

The Kwantlen Art and Cultural Exhibition was at Bedford Landing and was a showcase of works by Kwantlen First Nations artists. There were art pieces, cedar weaving and carving exhibitions, music and more.

On the weekend of July 23rd and 24th, 2022 you could purchase salmon BBQ, bannock and Indian ice cream from the exhibition.

The Festival Kidz Zone

As the name suggests, the Kidz Zone in 2022 was an area with child-friendly activities. In the Kidz Zone there was a selection of workshops that involved music, crafts and other activities on top of live music.

In the Kidz Zone there was live entertainment, instrument-making workshops, face painting and other activities at various times. It was a nice area for young families to hang out.

Art Zone and Challenges

Another free component of the 2022 Fort Langley Jazz Festival was the Art Zone. It was an area full of creativity and art activities for all.

There was also an Opus Outdoor Painting Challenge last year. Participants got a free painting surface and map of places to choose from. In addition, there was a collaborative Art Mural Project covering an area of 98 square feet. Everyone was welcome to do their part in a paint by number format.

Fort Langley Jazz Festival Crowds — On the lawn outside the Community Hall

Tips and Advice

Below are some tips and suggestions to help you make the most out of your Fort Langley Jazz Festival experience.

TIP #1 – You can park for free on various streets in the town of Fort Langley. Go early though to improve your chances of finding a spot that doesn’t require you to walk too far. Parking is also available at 8870 Glover Road (in the parking lot of the Fort Langley Evangelical Free Church) and at 9095 Glover Road (at Living Waters Church).

TIP #2 – Take your own blanket or chair to sit on. Seating is available at the Saturday dance and Sunday’s Soul & Gospel Choir Concert, but not at the other events (or at least that was the case in 2019).

TIP #3 – If it’s a sunny day, don’t forget to take a hat, sunscreen and bottle of water.

TIP #4 – Don’t spend the whole time by the main stages in front of the Community Hall. Walk around and explore the area. Great bands play at the other venues too!

TIP #5 – So long as he or she is on a leash, dogs are permitted at the festival. You are also welcome to bring your own food. There are food trucks though, so you can buy your meals and snacks on site or around town too.

TIP #6 – The festival venue is a smoke-free environment. That includes vaping as well as other products recently legalized in Canada.

TIP #7 – If you like Jazz, be sure to also check out the Vancouver Jazz Festival (in late June). A few Metro Vancouver churches also offer free Jazz performances on Sunday afternoons. Click Vancouver Jazz Vespers for details.

Jazz Festival Crowds in Fort Langley