If you missed the Vancouver Jazz Festival, some laid-back tunes are available locally, this Saturday, Aug. 13, at Southlands Tsawwassen Market Square.
That’s where the South Delta Jazz Festival will happen, starting at 5 p.m. at Delta Stage, in the Southlands Amphitheatre.
The event features the faculty of Delta Community Music School, which is hosting the festival.
Festival organizer and school music director Stephen Robb hopes this year will lead to a larger jazz festival in future years.
“It’s something we want to do for the long term,” said Robb.
It’s the first full festival in two years due to the pandemic.
The music is free, but there is a $25 cost for the Louisiana-style meal which is served between 5 and 6:30 p.m.
There also will be a beer garden, presented by Britannia Brewing, featuring two types of local beers and local wine.
And while the production is free there is one small task required of attendees - register online, in advance via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jazz-at-southlands-tickets-337510010527, so organizers have an idea of the numbers attending.
The concert itself goes from 6 to 8 p.m. and features the group, the Jazz Collective with Len Aruliah on saxophones, Kevin Lee on trumpet, Brad Muirhead on trombone, Stephen Robb on keys and reeds, Ron Samworth on guitar, Brent Gubbels on bass and Stan Taylor drumming.
Robb pointed out it’s the first time the festival is at the Southlands Amphitheatre.
“It should be a nice venue,” said Robb. “Last year, we had a very small festival because of COVID … and this year, we’re sort of coming back to normal.”
Robb said the music will be “straight-ahead” jazz with a mix of Latin, swing and fusion.
A student workshop concert also takes place Sunday, Aug. 14, from 2 to 4 p.m., also at the Delta Stage.
Parking is limited so consider cycling, walking or car sharing.
Other events that are part of the jazz festival, such as the vocal jazz workshop which takes place Aug. 16 to Aug. 18; workshop combo classes from Aug. 9 to 13.
