Nanaimo’s ‘Keep Right Band’ have a new home in Nanaimo’s most popular special events venue — The Green Olive right beside the Old City Station Pub in downtown Nanaimo.
Join them Thursday evenings for energetic jazz tunes in an informal atmosphere with a great vibe. Help grow Nanaimo’s newest home for live jazz! Plenty of parking, easy access, a warm and comfy space… and you can order off the Old City Station Pub menu! No admission, no cover, no minimums, no excuses — see you there!

Nanaimo’s ‘Keep Right Band’ have a new home in Nanaimo’s most popular special events venue — The Green Olive right beside the Old City Station Pub in downtown Nanaimo.
Join them Thursday evenings for energetic jazz tunes in an informal atmosphere with a great vibe. Help grow Nanaimo’s newest home for live jazz! Plenty of parking, easy access, a warm and comfy space… and you can order off the Old City Station Pub menu! No admission, no cover, no minimums, no excuses — see you there!

Horace Silver was born in Norwalk Connecticut on September 2nd, 1928. As a pioneer of the Hard Bop style, Silver composed and recorded some of the greatest known jazz recordings of his time. Songs like Song for My Father, Sister Sadie, Nica’s Dream and of course the Preacher are just a few of the many compositions that helped Silver leave his mark in the jazz world. In addition, he is partly responsible for popularizing ‘Latin Jazz’, weaving the rhythm and harmony into his compositions and arrangements. The success of his bands can in part be attributed to a combination of engaging music and top notch players. When listening to Horace Silver’s music you can expect three things; soulful blues, hard swinging groove and masterful writing.

Featuring:
James Darling - Piano
Kosma Busheikin - Upright Bass
Graham Villette - Drum set

Busheikin/Villette Presents” is a monthly jazz concert series that brings the best in live jazz straight to Nanaimo. As longtime friends and musical collaborators, the curators of this series, drummer Graham Villette and bassist Kosma Busheikin wanted to create an experience for the community of Nanaimo. As they join forces with local and visiting artists, their mission is to bring great music and unforgettable nights to the many jazz lovers of Nanaimo.

TICKETS are available at the link below:
https://Busheikin_Villette_HoraceSilver.eventbrite.ca  

Nanaimo’s ‘Keep Right Band’ have a new home in Nanaimo’s most popular special events venue — The Green Olive right beside the Old City Station Pub in downtown Nanaimo.
Join them Thursday evenings for energetic jazz tunes in an informal atmosphere with a great vibe. Help grow Nanaimo’s newest home for live jazz! Plenty of parking, easy access, a warm and comfy space… and you can order off the Old City Station Pub menu! No admission, no cover, no minimums, no excuses — see you there!

Nanaimo’s ‘Keep Right Band’ have a new home in Nanaimo’s most popular special events venue — The Green Olive right beside the Old City Station Pub in downtown Nanaimo.
Join them Thursday evenings for energetic jazz tunes in an informal atmosphere with a great vibe. Help grow Nanaimo’s newest home for live jazz! Plenty of parking, easy access, a warm and comfy space… and you can order off the Old City Station Pub menu! No admission, no cover, no minimums, no excuses — see you there!

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. Their new home? Nanaimo’s most popular special events venue — The Green Olive by Old City.
Join them for regular Thursday night gigs on Skinner Street, next door to Old City. Enjoy this fun-loving quartet and an evening of energetic jazz tunes, stick around and see if a jam breaks out. Help grow Nanaimo’s newest home for jazz and live music! Plenty of parking, easy access, a warm and comfy space… and you can order off the Old City Station Pub menu! No admission, no cover, no minimums, no excuses — see you there!

Carl Mayotte is an Award Winning electric bassist and is playing with his Quintet featuring: Carl Mayotte (bass and compositions), Gabriel Cyr (guitar), Damien-Jade Cyr (saxes), Francis Grégoire (Keys) and Stephane Chamberland (drums). Believe me, there are no passengers in this superb band! This is jazz fusion at its very best and a special look out for guitarist Gabriel Cyr, who is a superb player in the Larry Carlton style.

Winner of the 2020-2021 Jazz Radio-Canada Revelation title, Carl Mayotte is one of the most prominent young bassists and jazz musicians in Quebec and Canada at the moment. Having started his professional career at the age of 16 and completed a master's degree in jazz performance at McGill University, his virtuosity and versatility have been recognized by several musicians and critics, from Alain Caron to Bass Magazine. His third album, "Escale," earned him a Felix Award for Jazz Album of the Year in 2022. In addition, in the summer of 2022, he established a new jazz music camp in Kamouraska, bringing together musicians of all ages and skill levels. One of the young musician's goals is to democratize jazz and bring this musical genre to the forefront. He has just released his fourth album, an ode to Brazilian music.

Tickets are $30.00 (students, Quadwrangle Regulars and NIJFA Subscribers $25.00) available from Simonholt (250) 933-3338, or online here: https://square.link/u/osOnqD3f

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. Their new home? Nanaimo’s most popular special events venue — The Green Olive by Old City.
Join them for regular Thursday night gigs on Skinner Street, next door to Old City. Enjoy this fun-loving quartet and an evening of energetic jazz tunes, stick around and see if a jam breaks out. Help grow Nanaimo’s newest home for jazz and live music! Plenty of parking, easy access, a warm and comfy space… and you can order off the Old City Station Pub menu! No admission, no cover, no minimums, no excuses — see you there!

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