Nanaimo’s ‘Keep Right Band’ — who’ve been earning fans and followers playing The Lighthouse for months — have taken their tunes elsewhere since the closing of that establishment. They’ve found a new home in Nanaimo’s most popular special events venue — The Green Olive by Old City.
Join them for a regular Thursday night gig in this location on Skinner Street, next door to Old City. Plenty of parking, easy access, a warm and comfy space… and you can order off the Old City Station Pub menu!
Come down to enjoy this fun-loving quartet for an evening of energetic jazz tunes, stick around and see if a jazz jam emerges after 8. Help establish Nanaimo’s newest home for jazz and live music! No admission, no cover, no minimums, no excuses — see you there!

A reminder that Quadwrangle Music is combining forces with The Friends of the Nanaimo Jazz Society to bring the extraordinary Jacob Chung Quartet back to Nanaimo from New York at the Simonholt Restaurant Feb. 18th. 7:30pm.

For those who have not had the experience of seeing Jacob's Quartet in action, this is your chance! Tenor saxophonist Jacob moved from Toronto to New York City in 2022, after releasing his debut album Epistle, to study with Vincent Herring. He has since performed with Ken Peplowski, the John Pizzarelli Big Band, the Mingus Big Band, and Pasquale Grasso to name just a few. With the Cellar Music label, Chung has released two albums: The Sage, featuring Herring and drummer Joe Farnsworth, in 2024 and Live at Frankie’s Jazz Club in 2025. Jacob was also awarded “Outstanding Soloist” in Downbeat Magazine in 2024.

The show will open with a set by the Wellington Jazz Academy jazz students, under the leadership of Carmella Luvisotto, whose generous spirit and dedication to her students has resulted in some of Canada's leading players emerging from her focused tutelage.

Tickets are $30.00 (students, Quadwrangle Regulars and NIJFA subscribers $20.00), available from Simonholt (250) 933-3338, Fascinating Rhythm and online HERE

On another note…
 We are bringing from Chicago, the truly astonishing jazz guitarist  JOHN MOULDER, to play on Vancouver Island. John who will be playing with Ryan Oliver (saxes), Nick Peck (keys), Ken Lister (bass) and Jon Miller (drums) will be at Hermans 16th April, The Knox (Parksville) 18th, Simonholt 19th.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2026 | 7:15 PM

Experience the Essence: Waves of Latin Jazz at the Cuban Vibes Symphonic Festival

Get ready for an unforgettable second night of the Cuban Vibes: A Symphonic Festival, where the vibrant spirit of Latin Jazz merges seamlessly with the heart and soul of Cuba. The evening promises a dazzling array of mesmerizing performances by world-renowned musicians who have captivated audiences across global arenas.

Immerse yourself in the lush melodies and irresistible syncopated rhythms that fill the night air with an electric energy. This is not just a concert; it’s a jubilant celebration of culture, rhythm, and the transcendent language of music that speaks to all.

Guest Artists:
Mayquel González, , trumpet
Harold López-Nussa, piano
Ruy López-Nussa, drums
Lino Piquero Bueno, double bass
Roberto Vizcaino Jr., Cuban percussion
Miguel de Armas, piano
Miguel Valdés, trumpet, Cuban percussion
Phil Dwyer, saxophones

Tickets & full details:
https://vancouverislandsymphony.com/2025-cuban-vibes-a-symphonic-festival/

7:15 PM SALSA LESSONS | 8:00 PM CONCERT

Step into the spirited world of “A Night in Old Havana” at the Opening Night of CUBAN VIBES: A SYMPHONIC FESTIVAL. Experience the pulsating rhythms and vibrant energy of Cuba through exquisite performances by world-class Cuban jazz musicians. Let the fusion of spontaneity and tradition transport you to the heart and soul of Havana, creating unforgettable memories that will linger long after the music fades.

Hosted by dynamic VIS Artistic Director Cosette Justo Valdés, this event promises an electrifying atmosphere that’s both inviting and exhilarating. Escape the mundane, come in out of the rain and feel the warmth of Havana as it comes to life on the Port Theatre stage. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this magical evening!

7:15 – 8:00 p.m. In the Port Theatre lobby: Come early and learn to Salsa dance …to get you warmed up for the show; submit your favourite photo of a Cuban holiday (ahead of the show) and view it in a collage of Cuba photos and get your photo taken in the Old Havana Café with your friends and family.
8:00 – 9:00 p.m. A Night in Old Havana
Attire: Wear your summer dresses, shorts, skirts and flipflops as if you were headed off on vacation!

Tickets & full details:
https://vancouverislandsymphony.com/2025-cuban-vibes-a-symphonic-festival/

Multi-instrumentalist Roy Styffe has been wowing audiences for over 30 years. He has played with the greatest names in Canadian jazz and has recorded two cd’s under his own leadership, and with Duncan Hopkins, Free Flight Big Band, and the Juno award winning NOJO Big Band.

Don’t forget… members take $5 off the purchase price of every ticket for this event! Get your membership here: https://www.nanaimojazzfest.ca/membership.

Book reservations direct with the restaurant for this show: Ph - (250)933-3338

Nanaimo International Jazz Festival proudly presents Holly Cole’s Dark Moon Tour as our
2025 Fall Festival Headliner

Holly Cole is a renowned Canadian / International jazz singer who began her career in
1989 with the release of her 4-song EP ‘Christmas Blues’ under indie label Alert Music,
followed by her debut album ‘Girl Talk’ in 1990.

In 1992, she signed with Blue Note’s Manhattan imprint and released ‘Blame It on My
Youth’ which achieved Platinum + sales in Canada, over 200,000 copies internationally,
and based on the success of the single “Calling You”, a number 1 charted single and
album in Japan. The next album based on her hit rendition of Johnny Nash’s, “I Can See
Clearly Now” and its accompanying video cemented her success internationally setting up
her following release, the critically acclaimed, Temptation, an album made up of material
exclusively written by Tom Waits, one of Holly’s favourite songwriters.

With 12 albums to her name, Cole has achieved multi-platinum sales and received
numerous awards, including 2 Juno Awards (out of 8 nominations) and 2 Gemini Awards.
She has also won two Japanese Grand Prix Gold Disc Awards and the prestigious Ella
Fitzgerald Award from the Montreal Jazz Festival, joining the ranks of Aretha Franklin, Diana
Krall and Etta James. In 2014, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Queen’s
University.

In 2019, Holly Cole reunited the original Holly Cole Trio, with David Pitch on bass and Aaron
Davis on piano, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Festival International de Jazz de
Montreal. They performed at the cabaret Lion d’Or in Montreal, and these special shows
were recorded and became the 2021 album ‘Montreal’.
For Christmas 2022, Cole released a remastered compilation combining her holiday
releases from 1989 and 2001, titled anew ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside and I Have the Christmas
Blues’.

‘Dark Moon’ is available via Rumpus Room/Universal Music Canada.

Tickets and more information: https://www.porttheatre.com/event/nanaimo-international-jazz-festival-presents-holly-cole/

Jazz isn't a drag. Except when it is. 

Join local drag artist and VIU Jazz Program alum, Celeste, at The Nanaimo Bar this September as she takes you on a musical journey through the golden age of jazz.  

Order a cocktail, sit back, and be whisked away by Celeste's crystalline vocal performances of the infectious tunes of Rogers & Hart, the sultry sounds of Antonio Carlos Jobim, and the rich revelations of Nina Simone. Accompanied by a single piano, and peppered with touching stories throughout, this is a show you don't want to miss.  

Experience your favourite jazz classics in a brand new way — through the art of drag.  

Come one, come all, and know you are loved. 

 Don’t forget… members take $5 off the purchase price of every ticket for this event! Get your membership here: https://www.nanaimojazzfest.ca/membership

"Stealing Dan embodies the sound of Steely Dan: every note, voicing, nuance, harmonic and rhythmic element was delivered. This music crosses over so many genres, only the best musicians should play it...Stealing Dan is in that class of musicianship." Joelle Rabu, NIJF Operations Manager

The band is the result of a lifetime dream of lead singer Jim Papp. He reached out like-minded ‘Dan Fans’ from across Vancouver Island, starting with John Mang (keyboards) and Jeff Gillespie (guitar) and the journey began. They recruited superb saxophonists Claudio Fantinato and Rachel Cooper, Jeff Drummond on bass and Art Van Volsen on drums. With stellar background vocals from Colleen Brooks, Trish Horrocks and Miranda Hopkins, the picture was complete

Don’t forget… members take $5 off the purchase price of every ticket for this event! Get your membership here: https://www.nanaimojazzfest.ca/membership

Trombonist Nick La Riviere will be joined by pianist Attila Fias, bassist Brock Meades, and drummer Natasha Hoskins for an evening of exciting and improvisational jazz! They'll perform their own take on standards, originals, and other surprises. Listening, communicating, and coming up with musical ideas on the fly, you'll hear musical creation with a freedom that can only be expressed with some of the island's top musicians.

Don’t forget… members take $5 off the purchase price of every ticket for this event! Get your membership here: https://www.nanaimojazzfest.ca/membership

Brought to you by the Nanaimo International Jazz Festival in collaboration with "Busheikin/Villette Present". 

Band Members:

Steve Kaldestad - Tenor Saxophone

Julian Borkowski - Trumpet

Nick Peck - Piano

Kosma Busheikin - Upright Bass

Graham Villette - Drums/Leader

Graham Villette brings a stellar lineup of musicians and music to the opening concert of the 2025 Nanaimo International Jazz Festival. This concert will be held at the Lighthouse Bistro & Pub on Nanaimo's breathtaking waterfront where Villette and his colleague, Kosma Busheikin, present their monthly jazz concert series. For this special occasion Villette has curated a unique evening of music set to captivate, excite and wow the audience. What you can expect is an array of compositions by some of the greatest writers in jazz history such as Benny Golson, Horace Silver, Kenny Dorham, Hank Mobley and more!

Villette is honoured to be accompanied by some of BC's finest musicians for this event. 

Don’t forget… members take $5 off the purchase price of every ticket for this event! Get your membership here: https://www.nanaimojazzfest.ca/membership

Victoria based David Santana is an extraordinary jazz guitarist whose style crosses many musical borders but maintains a soulful and articulate grasp of the jazz genre. Here playing with a jaw-dropping band featuring, Miguelito Valdes (trumpet), Nick Peck (keys), Louis Rudner (Bass) and John Lee drums at the Simonholt Restaurant, Sunday August 31st. 7:30pm.

The David Santana Quartet is a fiery and dynamic jazz ensemble led by David Santana, a Chilean-born, Canadian jazz guitarist and composer. Winner of the Chilean national electric guitar competition Solo para Bravos (2006), David has become a prominent voice in Canada’s jazz scene, performing regularly at top venues and festivals.

​This cutting-edge group features some of the most sought-after jazz musicians in the country: Nick Peck (keys), Miguelito Valdés (trumpet), Louis Rudner (bass) and John Lee (drums).

Together, they bring fresh interpretations to their favorite jazz standards, delivering a powerful blend of passion, creativity, and world-class musicianship. Don’t miss this unforgettable night of music!

Tickets are $30.00 (Students $20.00, Quadwrangle Regulars and NIJFA subscribers $25.00) available from Simonholt (250) 933-3338, Fascinating Rhythm, or online at

Tickets are $35.00 (students, NIJFA subscribers and Quadwrangle regulars $25.00) available from Simonholt (250) 933-3338, Fascinating Rhythm, and online at: ONLINE HERE!

Sounds of Summer present this free, live performance with DOC FINGERS at Heritage Mews in the Old City Quarter.

Sounds of Summer present this free, live performance by John Gogo at Heritage Mews in the Old City Quarter.

Busheikin/Villette are proud to present the one and only Noah Becker. The quartet will also feature Brent Jarvis on the Fender Rhodes. In 2023 this group recorded an album "Mode For Noah" which showcased Beckers original music. Becker has continued to explore the tunes from his album at live shows and always brings a new perspective. For our show at the Lighthouse, we will present a mixture of Beckers tunes and arrangements of classic jazz repoirtoire.
Noah Becker -Saxophone
Brent Jarvis -Fender Rhodes
Kosma Busheikin -Upright Bass
Graham Villette -Drums
About Noah Becker:
Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1970, Becker's family moved to Canada. Becker first moved to New York City from Canada in 1997 but being a dual citizen of Canada and the US, never lost touch with the music and musicians of British Columbia. Eventually living and touring on both coasts and in Europe, Becker has opened up many new listeners and audiences for his music. In addition to his international reputation as a saxophonist, Becker is a talented visual artist.

Tickets are $20 ($15 for students) and can be bought at the door with credit/debit, cash or etransfer. Reservations are easy to make and free through the Lighthouse website, just put down your name, number of seats and date/time of reservation. The show starts at 530pm but we recommend you arrive around 5pm to get seated.
www.lighthousebistro.ca

*The Lighthouse is an all ages venue and will have its kitchen and bar open for service throughout the show.

Sounds of Summer present this free, live performance by B’BOON at Heritage Mews in the Old City Quarter.

Sounds of Summer present this free, live performance by DAVE TEICHROEB at Heritage Mews in the Old City Quarter.

Join the KEEP RIGHT QUARTET & FRIENDS most Thursday evenings at The Lighthouse on Nanaimo’s downtown waterfront. No cover charge and a full menu. All ages setting.

Sounds of Summer present “SOL ARAVENA” a soft Latin ensemble performing at Heritage Mews in the Old City Quarter. A FREE Performance.

The formidable Kirk MacDonald (tenor sax.) and Bruce Barth (Stanley Turrentine - keyboards ) duet! Featuring Kirk MacDonald (tnr. sax.), Bruce Barth (keys), Toronto-based saxophonist, composer, and educator Kirk MacDonald will be joining forces with renowned New York pianist, composer, and educator Bruce Barth for a series of duet and quintet performances across Canada. Their tour will span from coast to coast, with the duo performing in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Ontario from late July through mid-August. The quintet will be featured in select performances in and around Toronto. A Quadwrangle / Nanaimo Jazz Festival show. Tickets $30.00 (students, Quadwrangle Regulars and NIJFA Subscribers $25.00). Tickets: https://square.link/u/nU1FMdtJ

Join us for Parksville Museum’s 2025 concert season featuring live blues and jazz. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the show in our beautiful outdoor courtyard. Gates open at 5 pm. Food Trucks, Beer & Wine Sales, cash and card accepted. Advance tickets at the Museum or online: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/music-the-museum-presents-andrew-greenwood-quintet-tickets-1379087049489?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

The very talented Victoria-based saxophonist and composer, Andrew Greenwood and his quintet will be performing a soulful, captivating selection of music including that of Eddie Harris and Stanley Turrentine.  This exciting jazz concert promises a thrilling conclusion to our fundraising concert series. Concert goers can expect an unforgettable night filled with rich melodies and vibrant rhythms delivered in style.  Don't miss this intimate setting and the opportunity to experience the incredible talent of these artists.

Featuring: 
Andrew Greenwood-Tenor Sax
Owen Chow- Trumpet
Tony Genge-Piano
Ross MacDonald- Bass
Kelby MacNayr- Drums

More info: andrewgreenwood.ca

Sounds of Summer present this free concert with versatile musician Josh Gellman & Band at Wesley Square in the Old City Quarter.

Join us for Parksville Museum’s 2025 concert season featuring live blues and jazz. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the show in our beautiful outdoor courtyard. Gates open at 5 pm. Food Trucks, Beer & Wine Sales, cash and card accepted. Advance tickets at the Museum or online: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/music-the-museum-presents-brandon-isaak-tickets-1379062526139?aff=oddtdtcreator

Anyone who has listened to a Brandon Isaak album or watched this three-time Juno Award nominated bluesman perform live, knows that he's a gifted, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and performer. Isaak delivers an unforgettable set of traditional style blues with modern themes and clever twists to bring this vintage style new fresh life. His spontaneous stage presence is rife with off the wall humor with, sometimes, dramatic and outrageous physical stage moves.  He is a true presence and has the musical mastery, power and nuances to back it up.  With a varied mix of blues styles blended with his physically entertaining stage moves he always keeps the blues fans engaged and responsive.
 
"I believe Brandon is one of Canada's most talented roots and blues artists today"
-Holger Petersen/ CBC's Saturday Night Blues
 
"The States have Keb Mo', Sweden has Eric Bibb, and now Canada has Brandon Isaak"
-John The Rock Doctor

More info: brandonisaak.ca

Born & raised on Vancouver Island, Josh Warren (Toronto) and Sarah Stevenson (Montréal) are back in town and joining forces for a spectacular one-night-only show at Simonholt. Expect to hear a wide variety of sounds drawing from traditional jazz, latin/afro-cuban music, modern grooves and more. Featuring a star-studded and multi-generational lineup, this isn't one you'll want to miss. Josh and Sarah will be joined by Roy Styffe (saxophone), Nick Peck (piano), and Ryan Bennett (drums).

Tickets are $25.00 (students, Quadwrangle regulars and NIJFA subscribers $20.00). Available from Simonholt (250) 933-3338, Fascinating Rhythm and online HERE

All the proceeds from ticket sales goes to the musicians. We are very appreciative of your support!

Sounds of Summer present a free concert with Joel Lee Band live.at Wesley Square in the Old City Quarter.

Busheikin/Villette are especially excited to present their next show featuring "the hardest working man in Jazz business" Cory Weeds. Weeds is an integral pillar of the Vancouver jazz community and helps connect it with the wider world by bringing internationally acclaimed players to the city. This has built a strong audience for jazz in Vancouver given countless opportunities to up and coming players. His work has also been a big part of our inspiration to start this series at the Lighthouse so we are particularly pleased he can join us for this show. Weeds also happens to be an exceptional musician and has recorded over 20 albums as a leader. He has also performed with countless Jazz legends including Christian Mcbride, Joey Defrancesco and Harold Mabern. For this show we are also featuring the great organist Chris Gestrin who is a long time collaborator with Weeds. Gestrin has worked on a staggering 483 albums and is a top call organist in the BC music scene. Expect a mix of soul, groove, grease and driving swing from this show at Nanaimo most picturesque venue, the Lighthouse Bistro.

Cory Weeds -Saxophone
Chris Gestrin -Hammond Organ
Kosma Busheikin -Upright Bass
Graham Villette -Drums

Tickets are $20 ($15 for students) and can be bought at the door with credit/debit, cash or etransfer. Reservations are easy to make and free through the Lighthouse website, just put down your name, number of seats and date/time of reservation. The show starts at 530pm but we recommend you arrive around 5pm to get seated. www.lighthousebistro.ca
*The Lighthouse is an all ages venue and will have its kitchen and bar open for service throughout the show.

Sounds of Summer presents this free, live performance by JAMES VICKERS & CARSON MAERTZ at Wesley Square in the Old City Quarter.

Join us for Parksville Museum’s 2025 concert season featuring live blues and jazz. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the show in our beautiful outdoor courtyard. Gates open at 5 pm. Food Trucks, Beer & Wine Sales, cash and card accepted. Advance tickets at the Museum or online: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/music-the-museum-presents-jim-byrnes-tickets-1379047370809?aff=oddtdtcreator

Jim Byrnes is a legendary blues icon, an actor of note, and that artist who lights up every stage with songs and stories, tried and true. Jim Byrnes was born in St. Louis, Missouri – that's blues country. He grew up on the city's north side. One of the neighbourhood bars had Ike and Tina Turner as the house band. As a teenager going to music clubs, he and his buddy were often the only white people in the place. "We never had any problems. We were too naïve and had too much respect for the music and culture – they knew it, they could tell."

By age thirteen, Jim was singing and playing blues guitar. His first professional gig was in 1964. Over the years, he has had the great good fortune to appear with a virtual who's who of the blues. From Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker to Taj Mahal and Robert Cray, Jim has been on the blues highway for 45 years.

More info: jimbyrnes.ca