Fort Langley Jazz Fest Headlining Acts Announced

Tickets for all headline shows on sale April 30th - International Jazz Day

Fort Langley, BC – The Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz and Arts Festival is thrilled to announce the headlining acts for its 2022 in-person festival - blues guitarist and singer Sue Foley; jazz vocalist Molly Johnson, jazz-funk band The Shuffle Demons, jazz trumpeter Michael Sarian, jazz pianist and singer Champian Fulton, Afro Dominican Latin Jazz percussionist, Junior Santos and soul-gospel performer, Warren Dean Flandez - among others.

“This year’s festival will be our largest yet, with over 60 bands and 300 musicians performing across eight indoor and outdoor stages,” said Festival co-founder and Artistic Director Dave Quinn. This includes a four-night Jazz Concert Series at Chief Sepass Theatre from Thursday to Sunday, July 21 – 24 with two headlining ticketed shows each night.

“We are beyond excited about the diverse line up of outstanding jazz and blues musicians from across BC, Canada, and internationally,” he added. “There will be something for every jazz fan from blues, big band  and the music of Frank Zappa and Steely Dan to award winning jazz vocalists and musicians, jazz-funk fusion, Afro Dominican latin jazz and soul-gospel.”

The full list of 2022 Festival headlining acts include:

Friday Night Blues Show, Fort Langley National Historic Site, July 22nd

· JUNO and multi-Maple Blues Award-winning blues guitarist and singer Sue Foley is the featured act at the popular Friday Night Blues Show inside the rustic Fort Langley National Historic Site. Opening the four-hour blues show is international blues artist, Smiling Jack Smith & The New Panama Limited and local bands Terminal Station and the Mojo Stars. This outdoor festival-style event will feature food trucks, an outdoor bar and picnic style seating areas.

Jazz Concert Series, Chief Sepass Theatre: July 21st – July 24th, 7pm and 9pm shows

Thursday, July 21st:

· 7pm show: Zappostrophe' featuring the music of Frank Zappa reimagined. Vancouver-based Zappostrophe' performs the music of the iconoclastic composer with verve, precision, and humour. 

· 9pm show: Steelin’ in the Years, a tribute to the music of Steely Dan gathers together some of the West Coast’s most accomplished musicians who share a passion for the music of Steely Dan. 

Friday, July 22nd:

· 7pm show: Molly Johnson,  jazz vocalist  Juno Award winner and Order of Canada recipient for her musical contributions, is known as one of Canada’s greatest vocalists. Molly and her band will bring an explosion of funk, soul, and groove to this highly anticipated night of jazz. 

· 9pm show: The Shuffle Demons, a high-energy band featuring some of Canada’s most talented musicians, blends virtuosic jazz and funk playing with eye-catching costumes and over the top stage antics to produce an incredible show. 

Saturday, July 23rd:

· 7pm show: Michael Sarian, Canadian born, New York based, Michael Sarian is a jazz trumpeter and composer praised for his “unique compositional and instrumental voice.” 

· 9pm show: Champian Fulton, Jazz pianist and vocalist and a mainstay on the New York jazz scene, she is known for her swinging style and charismatic performance. 

Sunday, July 24th:

· 7pm show: Junior Santos, Afro Dominican Latin Jazz percussionist and Juno Awards Nominee 2021 for Best Jazz Album.

· 9pm show: Warren Dean Flandez, a Canadian gospel and rhythm and blues singer, and a two-time Juno Award nominee for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year.

Kicking off the festival on Thursday afternoon from 1 – 3pm is a free community concert at the Fort Langley Community Hall featuring a performance by the Rugcutter Dance Orchestra a 15-piece ensemble specializing in original arrangements in the style of the great dance orchestras of the twenties, thirties, and forties. 

The Rugcutter Dance Orchestra will also perform at the Festival’s Thursday evening Gala Event that will start with a Great Gatsby/art deco themed outdoor cocktail reception, food stations and the Grand Slam Jazz Band playing traditional New Orleans on the lawn of the historic hall. Attendees will then transition into the community hall which will be reminiscent of a 1930’s prohibition-style speakeasy club featuring a three-hour big band show and dance in the ballroom.

Early bird tickets will go on sale Saturday, April 30.

The line-up for the six free outdoor community stages will be announced in May.

Sponsors:

The Fort Langley Jazz & Arts festival wishes to thank its title sponsor Odlum Brown Limited, along with other valued partners. 

Presenting sponsors: Conwest/Vicini Homes, Fort Langley Community Improvement Society, Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, proudly representing the Port of Vancouver

Supporting sponsors: Ayreborn Audio Visual, Bedford Dental Centre, Chartwell Retirement Residences, Langley Community Music School, and Telus 

Funders: Government of Canada, Government of BC, BC Arts Council, BC Touring Council, Creative BC, Metro Vancouver, Township of Langley

About the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival:

The Fort Langley Jazz and Arts Festival is a not-for-profit cultural organization that makes accessible the highest caliber of jazz music and arts programming to a wide variety of audiences through the presentation of year-round concerts and events and an annual music and arts festival.

FOR TICKET INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: www.fortlangleyjazzfest.com

FOLLOW THE FORT LANGLEY JAZZ & ARTS FESTIVAL: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

MEDIA TOOLS:
WATCH/SHARE 
the 2021 Best of the Fest video HERE. VIEW/CHECK OUT high-res photos HERE

Here’s a link to our YouTube channel where the 2021 Best of the Fest and our 2021 highlight video is available. 

MEDIA CONTACT:  Laura Ballance  Laura@LBMG.ca 604.771.5176

Saira Bandeali