Discover Jazz Vancouver: 5 Fusion Concerts to Ignite Jazz Appreciation Month

Embark on new musical adventures this Jazz Appreciation Month and discover the best Jazz Vancouver has to offer.

Also referred to as "JAM", April is a month-long celebration declared by the National Museum of American History in 2001 created to honour and rejoice in the remarkable legacy and narrative of the Black American art form known as “jazz”.
JAM seeks to inspire and motivate individuals of every age to engage with jazz - whether through studying the music and its history, attending concerts, tuning in to jazz radio or recordings, delving into books about jazz, and beyond.

Here at VIM we can’t think of a better way to participate in Jazz Appreciation Month 2024 than by highlighting upcoming concerts featuring fearless fusion musicians in this art form. We’re thrilled to feature artists who are creating soundscapes that celebrate their cultural richness through the jazz lens. These concerts are sure to delight enthusiasts and curious listeners alike:

Experience the transcendence of Ahmed Moneka‘s rich life and artistic voyage from Baghdad to Toronto with Moneka Arabic Jazz. This thrilling musical endeavour blends traditional Iraqi melodies with vibrant African rhythms inherited from the Moneka Family. Jazz and blues serve as the perfect canvas to unite Ahmed’s Afro-Arabic roots with the talents of Toronto musicians, creating a harmonious fusion of tradition and innovation.

Drawing inspiration from ancient Iraqi stories and contemporary realities, Ahmed crafts soul-stirring, dance-inducing compositions that resonate locally and internationally. Ahmed’s life story unfolds as he bears witness to the enduring spirit of humanity, igniting conversations about heritage, resilience, and the universal quest for freedom.

Moneka Arabic Jazz is:

Ahmed Moneka (Iraq) – vocals
Waleed Abdulhamid (Sudan) – bass, vocals
Demetri Petsalakis (Greece) – guitar, oud
Majd Sukar (Syria) – clarinet
Selcuk Suna (Turkey) – sax
Max Senitt (Toronto) – drums

With an opening solo set by Juno award winning Oud / Guitarist, Gordon Grdina.

This is the ensemble’s premier concert in Vancouver – you won’t want to miss out. Book your tickets NOW!

Prepare to be enthralled by SE:UM, the Korean ensemble making their much-anticipated Vancouver debut.

They are a renowned Korean ensemble that masterfully combines traditional Korean folk melodies with shamanistic rhythms, creating a sound that transcends borders. Celebrated for their innovative approach, SE:UM brings their globally acclaimed performances, featuring tracks from their latest albums, "The Sense of Water" and "Korean Breath: Ten Thousand Waves".

SE:UM Musicians:

Joon Lee, music director, gayageum/ Korean percussion
Jaeha Lee, contrabass/ electric bass
Jongsang Park, trumpet/ flugelhorn
Minhyung Lee, Korean percussion/ voice
Hachul Song, alto/ soprano saxophones

Sharing the stage is the 2023 Westcoast Music Awards Instrumental Artist of the Year, Jasmine Jazz. This unique ensemble blends traditional Chinese instruments with the vibrant rhythms of contemporary jazz. The result is a mesmerizing east-meets-west experience, with a repertoire that seamlessly weaves together jazz standards, traditional Chinese folk music, and innovative original compositions.

Jasmine Jazz Musicians:

Jodi Proznick, bass
Tristan Paxton, guitar
James Danderfer, clarinet/ bass clarinet
Jirong Huang, erhu
Sarah Yusha Tan, guzheng
Zhongxi Wu, suona
with guest artist Liam MacDonald, percussion

Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to witness the fusion of Korean and Chinese music with Western jazz. A night that promises not only a cultural celebration but an exploration of beautiful harmonies and memorable musical dialogues.

Book your tickets now and be a part of this transcendent musical experience!

Los Duendes - Psych Latin Fusion
Presented by Tyrant Studios

Saturday, April 6th, 2024
Show: 9:30 pm
Doors: 9:00 pm
Venue: Tyrant Studios
More info

Get ready for an electrifying night of Cumbia, Salsa, Jazz Fusion and Psychedelia! Los Duendes return to Tyrant for their first local show of the year, and it's going to be a party!

Los Duendes is Vancouver’s very own Psych Latin Fusion group! Infectious tropical rhythms intertwined with spicy Latin melodies designed to make people feel uplifted and groove. Featuring Sangito Bigelow, Lily Towers, Seb Chamney, Alan Ruiz, Gordy Li, Johneil Vinas

Ibrahim Maalouf with special guests
Presented by MODO LIVE & Infidels Jazz

Monday, April 29th, 2024
Show: 8:00 pm
Doors: 7:00 pm
Venue: The Hollywood Theatre
More info

In 16 albums, Ibrahim Maalouf has gone from being the winner of the world's greatest international classical trumpet competitions to the most popular jazz artist on the French music scene. Filling the Volkswagen Arena in Istanbul, the Lincoln Jazz Center in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in 2016 he became the first jazz musician in history to sell out France's largest concert hall, the Accor Arena in Paris Bercy.

Spotted by living legend Quincy Jones and described as a "Virtuoso" by the New York Times, Ibrahim has collaborated in recent years with Wynton Marsalis, Angelique Kidjo, Melody Gardot, the Chronos Quartet, Trilok Gurtu, Josh Groban, Marcus Miller, Salif Keita, and many others.

In 2021 he appeared on Stephen Colbert's Late Show with Jon Batiste, who introduced him as a living jazz legend.

Discover Jazz Vancouver: 5 Fusion Concerts to Ignite Jazz Appreciation Month

Other Vancouver Jazz Music Events

Discover Jazz Vancouver:
5 Fusion Concerts to Ignite Jazz Appreciation Month