Finally, live entertainment joins the ocean view at one of Nanaimo’s finest restaurants - The View in the Dorchester Hotel. Chill jazz, great food, fine vibe, seaside setting, super service! Make a reservation for friends and family and we’ll see you there. Order off the menu, only a $10 cover, brunch bevvies — check out the menu and make the call - 6 Sundays in a row this spring. The entertainment lineup will change weekly!

https://www.theviewnanaimo.ca/

Voting Members are invited to our annual general meeting to receive the 2025 Financial Statements, consider nominations to the board and vote, review recommended resolutions to the current bylaws and conduct other business as required. The lineup and schedule for the 2026 Festival will also be announced. For more information, please email: board@nanaimojazzfest.ca

Finally, live entertainment joins the ocean view at one of Nanaimo’s finest restaurants - The View in the Dorchester Hotel. Chill jazz, great food, fine vibe, seaside setting, super service! Make a reservation for friends and family and we’ll see you there. Order off the menu, only a $10 cover, brunch bevvies — check out the menu and make the call - 6 Sundays in a row this spring. The entertainment lineup will change weekly!

https://www.theviewnanaimo.ca/

As an artist, John Lee is widely known for his immense proficiency as a multi-instrumentalist as well as his ability to connect audiences to his music with a charming and positive charisma. Lee has released two records on Cellar Music, the latest, a piano trio record, Second Wind features John on piano with the great Kenny Washington on drums and Peter Washington on bass. His first album, The Aritst featured Carl Allen on drums, Miles Black on piano and Cory Weeds on tenor saxophone. Both albums have received critical acclaim.

With the support of the Cellar Music Group, Lee released his debut album The Artist in 2021 on the Cellar Live label, featuring Carl Allen. His sophomore album, Second Wind—featuring Peter Washington and Kenny Washington—was released in July 2024. In addition to his own projects, Lee appeared as a guest artist on Carl Allen’s 2025 album Tippin’ featuring Christian McBride and Chris Potter, as well as Mike Clement's 2024 release Hittin’ It featuring Herlin Riley. Lee can also be heard on several of Cory Weeds' albums, including Just Coolin’ and With Strings: What Is There to Say?

John Lee - Piano
Kosma Busheikin - Upright Bass
Graham Villette - Drums

“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: $30
https://Busheikin_Villette_John_Lee_Trio.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 most 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’ 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!

John Moulder is a guitarist and composer whose music has evolved from an assimilation of various musical traditions such that David Rickert from All About Jazz wrote, “Moulder has a distinct and exciting approach that ensures that his albums sound like nothing else out there. An ingenious improviser with a seemingly endless instinct for variety, he is definitely one to watch.” His most recent release entitled Metamorphosis (Origin 2022) features Richie Beirach, Steve Rodby, Paul Wertico with new compositions penned by Moulder and described by British poet and essayist Raul da Gama as, “an album of music to die for.”

Moulder’s 2018 CD entitled Decade:Memoirs which features Gwilym Simcock and Tim Garland, was named one of the 10 jazz CDs of the year in 2018 by the Chicago Tribune. John has composed several original works that are musical narratives such as Earthborn Tales of Soul and Spirit which was commissioned by the Jazz Institute of Chicago and featured Donny McCaslin. Additional recordings developed as musical narratives by Moulder include Bifrost and Trinity (selected as one of ten jazz CDs heralded by All About Jazz and the Chicago Tribune respectively).

In the course of his career, John is grateful to have performed nationally and internationally, and played with many talented musicians, both known and unknown. In live performances and recordings, John has performed with diverse artists such as Eddie Harris, Bob Mintzer, Lyle Mays, Paul McCandless, Paul Wertico, Niels Orsted Pederson, Kurt Elling, Arild Anderson and Bendik Hofseth. From his hometown of Chicago, he has performed with creative musicians too numerous to mention and enjoys collaborating with them on various projects. As an educator, he is currently a faculty member within the jazz studies’ departments at Northwestern University and the College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University/Chicago.

Tickets are $40.00 available from Simonholt (250) 933-333, Fascinating Rhythm, or online at https://square.link/u/0HJFwRzZ

Celebrating the music of the great saxophonist, Sonny Stitt…

Informally dubbed the "New Classic Quartet", this group has been paying homage to the style of 50s-70s Sonny Stitt in all the classic standards quartet glory since 2023. Playing lesser known standards and bringing the hard hitting sounds of bop and hard bop up and down the Island. The New Classic Quartet features four of the Islands best homegrown established musicians who have been playing together in different settings for over 10 years. The communication, friendship, and spontaneity is core to the sound and experience.

Cayleigh Borsboom - Saxophones
James Darling - Piano
Kosma Busheikin - Upright Bass
Graham Villette - Drums

Tickets:
Busheikin/Villette Presents: Cayleigh Borsboom Quartet

About Cayleigh:
Cayleigh Borsboom (She/Her) is a Mental Wellness Coordinator by day and musician by night. Born and raised in Qualicum Beach she then spent two years at Humber College in Toronto studying under the greats of Canadian music before making Snuneymuxw land (Nanaimo) her home. Books, nature, board games, jazz, and friends that are family are what fills her heart with joy. 

Maarsii poor toon taan, enn boon zhoornii ayahun,
(Thank you for your time, have a good day,)

“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.

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