Nanaimo Jazz Festival

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Sunday, September 20th, 2026

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the award-winning Nanaimo Jazz Festival ups its game with four headliners featured at their upcoming September event series.

“Offering this quantity and variety of headliners was felt to be the best way to express the incredible diversity of music that falls under the ‘jazz’ umbrella,” according to Festival spokesperson, and director Natasha Hoskins.

Natasha continued, “From the inspired Latin originals of Alex Cuba to Dee Daniels classical styling, energetic by Jocelyn Gould and the whimsy of Frank Zappa’s complex ‘genre-bending’ tunes, we think our program reflects the broadest spectrum of what jazz can be.”

If awards are any indicator of artistic excellence, then the international recognition including Juno and Grammy nods of the 2026 lineup speaks loudly. Most recently, Alex Cuba brought home Canada’s first Latin Music Juno Award while the ‘joyful energy’ of guitarist Jocelyn Gould earned her a first Juno in 2021. If the years on-stage and miles-travelled count, then Dee Daniels’ lifetime of global performances reinforces her solid audience appeal. The 8-piece Zappostrophe’ present a tour de force celebration of one of modern music’s great geniuses and cultural curiosities.

The Festival also returns to Maffeo Sutton Park for two days of free concerts September 12 and 13. “We were so pleased with the audience reception in the park last year we decided to build it bigger and better for our 10th anniversary.” said Hoskins. “Our expanded stage will feature ten-plus performances over two days and we’re inviting artisan vendors and food trucks to add to the Festival atmosphere.”

The Vault Café Jazz Jam, a regular sell-out, will be on the schedule again with some new venues making their debut like dinner shows, featured performers and “surprise” announcements will be released over the summer months. Organizers are also offering early bird ticket specials and discounts for society members. Advance tickets, scheduling and performer updates, artist bios and performance links are all at NanaimoJazzFest.ca.

Other Dates for this event:

Saturday, September 12th, 2026, Sunday, September 13th, 2026, Thursday, September 17th, 2026, Friday, September 18th, 2026, Saturday, September 19th, 2026, Thursday, September 24th, 2026, Friday, September 25th, 2026, Saturday, September 26th, 2026, Sunday, September 27th, 2026