June 2025 gigs: Vancouver Jazzfest Edition
World record holder for most Chris Fraser in a jazz fest
It didn’t really hit me until I was recording the outro of the latest episode of Rhythm Changes that I am, in fact, playing a significant amount of music this year for the jazz fest.
Four groups. Five shows. All in one week. Let’s go.
JAZZ SALVATION ORGAN TRIO (link)
with Mary Ancheta and Biboye Onanuga
SUNDAY, JUNE 22
Hero’s Welcome, 2PM
This is the group formed just for the jazz fest, as Biboye is based in Edmonton. I got to play with Biboye for the first time last year as he was passing through Vancouver for another show. Tim Reinert helped us arrange our first show together for the Frankie’s After Dark series, and we’ve kept in touch since, even recording a podcast episode together a few months ago. This is my first time performing with Mary Ancheta however, so I’m looking forward to that. The three of us agreed to play a set of gospel and gospel-adjacent tunes since we’re playing on a Sunday afternoon. Both of these musicians are NOT to be missed, so $10 admission is as good as you can ask for during the jazz fest.
TARAS LUKA GROUP
SUNDAY, JUNE 22
GUILT & COMPANY, 9PM (LINK)
&
SATURDAY, JUNE 28
CIVIC PLAZA (NORTH VANCOUVER), 1PM (LINK)
Taras is an incredible accordionist from Ukraine. Very excited to be playing two dates with him for the festival. We will be playing his original and some handpicked selections from the libraries of Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and more. Expect to dance.
CHRIS FRASER QUARTET (AND JAM SESSION)
MONDAY, JUNE 23RD
TYRANT STUDIOS, 9:30PM (LINK)
This is going to be a great show. I know this band is going to sound awesome in this room. The jam session afterwards will obviously be amazing too (it’s right after Richard Bona’s show). NO BRAINER if you ask me.
JOHN NICHOLSON QUINTET (LINK)
THURSDAY, JUNE 26TH, 4PM
OCEAN ARTWORKS (GRANVILLE ISLAND)
This is John’s debut at the jazz festival as a band leader. We got to beta test this set at Frankie’s a few weeks ago. John’s tunes are absolutely fantastic. The band is brilliant. This will be one for the books.
And of course, don’t just go to the jazz fest for my shows only. This year is the 40th anniversary of the Vancouver international jazz festival, so go to as much music as you can to show your support for the best event in the city!
See you there!