Three headlining acts have been announced for the 2019 Fort Langley Jazz and Arts Festival that takes place July 26 to 28.
Opening the festival on Friday night inside the Fort Langley National Historic Site is an all-star blues show featuring the award-winning Steve Kozak Band, announced Dave Quinn, artistic director of the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival.
Later in the evening, some of Vancouver’s top blues musicians including Harpdog Brown, Wailin’ Al Walker, Murray Porter, James Buddy Rodgers, Brandon Isaak, Dalannah Gail Bower, Lisa Dunn, Joani Bye and more will perform.
“It will be an amazing show in a very special venue,” said Quinn.
“We’ll have the best of the best blues musicians playing inside the walls of the historic Fort, which has a natural amphitheatre and is beautifully lit at night. It will be magical and something that you don’t want to miss.”
A tribute to Frank Sinatra by the swinging big band called Swing Aggregation will be featured on Saturday at the community dance that takes place in the Fort Langley Community Hall.
And closing the festival on Sunday evening is the multi-award-winning gospel trio, the Sojourners, and the 50-voice jazz and soul choir, the Marcus Mosley Chorale at the Chief Sepass Theatre.
“Parks Canada is pleased to welcome festival attendees to Fort Langley National Historic Site,” said Brigitte Wieronski, Fort Langley National Historic site and visitor experience manager.
“Through unique events like these, we can encourage more people to visit our cherished national historic sites, hear the stories of the people and events that helped shape Canada, and learn about our heritage.”
Quinn added that early-bird ticket packages are limited.
The full lineup and other festival activities including a Kidz Zone will be announced in the spring.
For show times, more information, and to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.fortlangleyjazzfest.com/tickets/
Along with these headliner ticketed acts, this year’s summer festival will feature more than 20 free outdoor performances on two outdoor stages with some big names from the Vancouver jazz music scene and up and comers, something that Quinn said is important to the festival.
“Our goal is to present a quality line-up of jazz acts from seasoned professionals to emerging talent that people will say, wow, I discovered some new music that I love, saw some of my favourite bands and learned a lot about how diverse jazz music can be,” he explained.
The second annual festival is accepting applications from jazz bands interested in performing at the festival until Jan. 31. The online application can be found here.
“We’ll be announcing the full line-up in the spring along with other festival activities including a new kidzzone with music and art workshops,” said Quinn. “Festival attendees won’t be disappointed with the world-class level of entertainment they’ll be able to see, hear and enjoy at the 2019 festival.”
The Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival is a not-for-profit organization with a mandate to enrich cultural life in the Fraser Valley by bringing emerging and established jazz acts and visual art together to Fort Langley for all to enjoy.
Established last year, the festival drew thousands of residents and visitors to the streets of Fort Langley during the last weekend in July.
