The Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival Celebrates a Successful Weekend

Preparation Now Begins for the 2025 Show

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
July 29, 2024

Fort Langley, BC – The Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival wrapped up this Sunday with resounding success, drawing in more than 10,000 visitors, selling out multiple shows, and delivering outstanding performances over its four-day run. From July 25 to July 28, attendees enjoyed a diverse lineup of jazz music, workshops, and family-friendly activities set against the picturesque backdrop of Fort Langley.

A total of 23 bands played over the course of the festival, with several shows selling out and filling their venues to capacity. Attendees of all ages enjoyed the Kidz Zone and a variety of art, music, and Indigenous culture workshops at the Art Zone, many of which also saw record numbers and full capacity. The festival’s organizers also wish to acknowledge the 100+ volunteers who helped make the show such a success.

“This year’s Festival was a tremendous success, and from the music to the workshops, the last four days were a whirlwind of incredible music, art and community spirit,” said Co-Founder & Executive Director Karen Zukas. "As we wrap the 2024 Jazz Fest, we’re already looking forward to building on this  year’s success and making 2025 bigger, bolder, and even more unforgettable, with new artists, expanded workshops, and innovative performances."

Kicking off with a Tribute to Duke Ellington by the Fred Stride Jazz Orchestra, the festival set a high standard right from the start. This performance filled the Fort Langley Community Hall with timeless jazz classics, delighting jazz aficionados and music fans from throughout the Lower Mainland.

The Cool Blues Show on Friday night was another standout event, featuring stellar performances from Tom Lavin & The Legendary Powder Blues Band, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Miss Emily, Silent Partners (tribute to B.B. King), and Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne. The atmosphere in Fort Langley Community Park was electric, with a sold-out crowd enjoying the vibrant blues music under the stars. Fans were also treated to an epic 15-minute encore “Jam Session” that featured members from all five bands together on stage for an incredible musical performance, the likes of which may never be seen again.

Saturday's Mardi Gras Strolling Parade brought a burst of colour and excitement to the festival, leading a joyful procession from the Fort Langley Farmers Market to the Fort Langley Community Hall. The parade set the tone for a day filled with free performances on two outdoor stages, featuring artists like Hilario Duran, Hutcheson Andrew Trio, and Wild Blue Herons with Horns.

Saturday night’s Jake and Elwood’s Blues Brother Revue at the Fort Langley Community Hall ballroom was a high-energy, sold-out event that had the audience on their feet, dancing and singing along to classic hits from the legendary musical comedy.

The festival wrapped on Sunday with the Jazz AWE, an Alternative Worship Experience at the United Churches of Langley. The Maureen Washington Quartet provided a beautiful blend of live jazz music and spiritual reflection, offering a serene and soulful end to the weekend’s festivities.

Artistic Director Dave Quinn shared his enthusiasm, saying, "This year's festival was truly special, thanks to the incredible performances and the amazing community spirit. We are deeply thankful to everyone who joined us and contributed to making it such a memorable event."

The festival extends its gratitude to the sponsors and partners who made the event possible, including the Government of Canada/Heritage Canada, the Province of BC, Metro Vancouver, Township of Langley, Conwest, Chartwell Retirement Residences, Coast Capital, Expedia Cruises, Fort Langley Community Improvement Society, Fraser Valley Beltone, Founders Original Cocktails, Freybe Gourmet Foods, Langley Community Music School, Precision Auto Service LTD., Tourism Langley, Trading Post Brewing, Valiant Insurance, Wave 98.3 and Vancouver’s Best Places,

The Fort Langley Jazz and Arts Festival will return in 2025 from July 24 to July 27. Applications for performers will open October 1 and run until December 31, 2024.
Stay tuned on everything Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival by visiting: FortLangleyJazzFest.com.

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

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.

Media Inquiries
Brendan Quinn- LBMG
bquinn@lbmg.ca
604-805-4821