Rising jazz stars invited to apply for Fort Langley jazz festival awards

Two winners will receive scholarships of $1,000 and a performance opportunity at the festival

The Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival is pleased to offer a unique opportunity for two talented jazz students to become the 2023 Rising Jazz Star Award winners. The award will support the development of emerging young jazz artists by providing an opportunity to perform at the 2023 festival and receive a $1,000 scholarship.

This year they have expanded the awards program to offer two categories for their 2023 Rising Jazz Star Musician Award – Secondary School Category and Post-Secondary Category.

Festival organizers established the annual award in 2019 to recognize outstanding jazz students who demonstrates a high level of performance ability and will be pursuing a professional career in jazz music.

“One of our key goals is to support youth and emerging artists and the award is a wonderful opportunity for up-and-coming jazz students to perform with and be mentored by established artists, while also receiving financial support for their education,” says Festival co-founder and Artistic Director Dave Quinn.

Last year’s award winner, Capilano University music student Hugh Penner, said the recognition “was a huge honour”, adding “to be able to perform alongside some of the Lower Mainland's jazz giants was exciting and inspiring.”

Award submissions are open to all secondary and post-secondary music students from the Metro Vancouver area until March 31, 2023 on the festival website.

“We are committed to continuing to provide opportunities for jazz musicians to connect with new and existing audiences, to provide jazz fans with world class talent, to innovate and adapt, and to provide opportunities to support young and emerging jazz artists,” said Quinn.

The Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival wishes to thank the Fort Langley Community Hall and Coast Capital Savings for sponsoring these awards.