16 leading female artists performing at this year's Vancouver International Jazz Festival

Vancouver is getting ready to host the largest music and arts event in BC.

The highly-anticipated 33rd annual TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival is taking place from June 22 to July 1. And there’s going to be more than 300 concerts happening, at 35 indoor and outdoor venues throughout the city.

The two biggest outdoor events of the festival: Downtown Jazz Weekend (June 23 to 24) and David Lam Park Jazz Weekend (June 30 to July 1) are expected to attract crowds totaling up to 400,000.

Every year, the Jazz Festival showcases diversity among artists and this year’s lineup show’s a strong focus on female artists. We’ve rounded up 16 leading female musician’s you’ll want to see over the course of the festival.

Only A Visitor

This female-centered band is made up of singers Emma Postl and Celina Kurz, drummer Kevin Romain, bassist Jeff Gammon, and led by vocalist/pianist Robyn Jacob’s who’s avant-pop compositions and adventurous vocals echo those of Bjork. Catch the group’s free concert during David Lam Park Jazz Weekend.

When: Saturday, June 30
Time: 12 pm
Where: David Lam Park Main Stage
Price: FREE – RSVP via Facebook

Alsarah & the Nubatones

Downtown Jazz Weekend is set to host Brooklyn-based Sudanese songwriter/vocalist Alsarah with Nahid on backing vocals. Alsarah brings diverse African and Arabic influences into contemporary soul music to create amazing melodies and lyrically deep East African retro-pop sounds.

When: Sunday, June 24
Time: 3:45 pm
Where: Downtown Jazz – Georgia Street Stage
Price: FREE

Dawn Pemberton

If you want to hear some honest and seriously powerful music during the Downtown Jazz Weekend, check out WCMA-winner Dawn Pemberton’s concert. The singer’s magnetic vocals cover everything from R&B, to gospel, jazz, and funk music.

When: Sunday, June 24
Time: 5:15 pm
Where: Downtown Jazz – Georgia Street Stage
Price: FREE

Ndidi O

Ndidi O is a two-time JUNO nominee and powerful singer whose voice actually reminds you of a long-lost friend. Check out her concert during Downtown Jazz Weekend to hear upbeat blues, as well as country and soul ballads.

When: Sunday, June 24
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Downtown Jazz – Georgia Street Stage
Price: FREE

Siobhan Walsh Group

Siobhan Walsh has a voice that’s passionate and sincere. She’s inspired by everything from blues, to jazz, gospel, as well as singers like Norah Jones, the late David Bowie, and D’Angelo.

When: Sunday, July 1
Time: 8 pm
Where: Frankie’s Jazz Club – 765 Beatty Street
Price: $20 – Tickets available via Coastal Jazz

Roberta Gambarini Quartet feat. Emmanuele Cisi

Italian vocalist Roberta Gambarini began singing in clubs when she was just 17. From there, she received training at the New England Conservatory, has been nominated for two Grammys, and collaborated with people like Wynton Marsalis, Dave Brubeck, and Herbie Hancock. You don’t want to miss her performance with Italian saxophonist Emanuele Cisi at Pyatt Hall.

When: Friday, June 22
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Pyatt Hall – 843 Seymour Street
Price: $34 – Tickets available via Coastal Jazz

Tomeka Reid Quartet

Chicago-based composer, cellist, and educator, Tomeka Reid continues to push boundaries in the jazz scene. She was recently described as “one of the great energies in jazz” by The New York Times and you’ll have the chance to see her perform live in Vancouver at The Ironworks.

When: Friday, June 22
Time: 9:30 pm
Where: The Ironworks – 235 Alexander Street
Price: $23 – Tickets available via Coastal Jazz

Morgan James

Morgan James is a Broadway regular and you may have already seen her star in Motown: The Musical, Godspell, and more. She’s also known for her YouTube videos covering the likes of Aretha Franklin, Jeff Buckley, and Prince.

When: Sunday, June 24
Time: 8 pm
Where: Performance Works – 1218 Cartwright Street
Price: $28 – Tickets Available via Coastal Jazz

Mary Margaret O’Hara & Peggy Lee: Beautiful Tool

Vocalist Mary Margaret O’Hara and cellist Peggy Lee join forces for ‘Beautiful Tool’, a wide-ranging collaboration of incredible vocals and jazz sounds. Now you have the chance to see this extraordinary show live at Granville Island’s Performance Works.

When: Wednesday, June 27
Time: 8 pm
Where: Performance Works – 1218 Cartwright Street
Price: $28 – Tickets available via Coastal Jazz

Macy Gray

Macy Gray’s debut album On How Life Is peaked in the fourth spot on Billboard’s Top 200 back in 1999. Renowned for her raspy, soulful vocals, Gray will be performing classic tracks like ‘I Try’ and ‘Love Is Gonna Get You’ at her Vancouver International Jazz Festival concert.

When: June 28
Time: 8 pm
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre –  630 Hamilton Street 
Price: Starting at $50 – Tickets available via Coastal Jazz

Maya Rae

Jazz vocalist Maya Rae is just 16 years old and she’s already enjoying a phenomenal music career with originals that brush shoulders with jazz standards and modern tunes. You can catch Rae performing with the Miles Black Quintet at Pyatt Hall.

When: Saturday, June 30
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Pyatt Hall – 843 Seymour Street
Price: $34 – Tickets available via Coastal Jazz

Jaimie Branch

As a trumpeter, composer, and improviser, Jamie Branch creates incredible sounds that transcend genres like post-bop, noise-rock, and chamber jazz. That’s why you need to hear her live show to hear it for yourself.

When: Saturday, June 30
Time: 11:50 pm
Where: The Ironworks – 235 Alexander Street
Price: $17 – Tickets available via Coastal Jazz

Cherry Glazerr

Indie punk-rock group Cherry Glazerr is led by multi-disciplinary guitarist/vocalist/actress Clementine Creevy. And the group have been dubbed “LA’s new faces of rock” by The Los Angeles Times. Now you can see the group perform live at The Imperial with Swim Team and Peach Kelli Pop.

When: Sunday, June 24
Time: 9 pm
Where: The Imperial – 319 Main Street
Price: $23 – Tickets available via Coastal Jazz

KNOWER

Singer Genevieve Artadi and drummer/producer Louis Cole are the duo behind funky and futuristic KNOWER. Their “live band house sesh” video amassed 3.5 million views in one week so you’ll want to see their Vancouver concert with Kai Basanta during this year’s Jazz Festival.

When: Wednesday, June 27
Time: 9 pm
Where: The Imperial – 319 Main Street
Price: $23 – Tickets available via Coastal Jazz

Moor Mother

Philadelphia’s musician, poet, and visual artist Camae Ayewa is politically charged and her debut album Fetish Bones made it to many year-end lists from Noisy, Rolling Stone, Spin, and Pitchfork. You don’t want to miss her performance at The Ironworks.

When: Thursday, June 28
Time: 9:30 pm
Where: The Ironworks –  235 Alexander Street
Price: $23 – Tickets available via Coastal Jazz

Peggy Lee

Composer and cellist Peggy Lee creates artful music and she’s going to be joined by Vancouver’s most active and interesting improvisers for Echo Painting on June 25, where together, they’ll draw connections between generations of creative musicians in the city.

When: Monday, June 25
Time: 9:30 pm
Where: The Ironworks – 235 Alexander Street
Price: $23 – Tickets available via Coastal Jazz

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For more information and to see the full lineup, visit TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

See also

• A new public art piece is currently being installed in Yaletown
• Downtown's newest park will have its own hammocks!
• Khatsahlano Street Party lineup announced for 2018

TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival 2018

When:  June 22 to July 1
Where: Various venues throughout the city
Tickets: Prices vary – Tickets available via Ticketfly

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Daily Hive is a proud media sponsor of TD Vancouver International Jazz Fest