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Formed in 2006, the Georgia Straight Jazz Society is a non-profit society based in the Comox Valley. Its vision is to develop and sustain a healthy and vibrant jazz community in the Vancouver Island region.
The Georgia Straight Jazz Society is getting a name for itself in the Vancouver Island jazz scene, and beyond. Since its origin in 2006, the society has developed a popular weekly jazz club and offers some ticketed events with top-notch players from Vancouver, Victoria and abroad.
The GSJS is most proud of the high calibre of jazz now being played and appreciated by local musicians and audiences. With a regular venue and opportunities to play, veteran and emerging jazz musicians have supported and challenged each other to grow their skills and develop their chops.
Players and singers of all ages regularly appear on the jazz club stage, before engaged audiences that continue to show their support and interest and musical know-how as the months have passed. A committed group of volunteers keep the sounds happening and the audiences happy.
The purposes of the Georgia Straight Jazz Society are:
- To increase public awareness of and to nurture an appreciation for all forms of jazz;
- To present performances by a wide variety of musicians representing all forms of jazz;
- To stimulate the local jazz communities by producing events and activities in which artists can interact creatively;
- To provide opportunities for school aged musicians to create jazz for a public audience;
- To augment the educational instruction of school aged musicians in jazz performance, improvisation, and composition; and
- To establish and strengthen the jazz music community on Vancouver Island.
On February 28, 2013, after a wonderful 6 years we moved our concert location from the Elks Lodge #60 on 6th Street, Courtenay, to the current location of the Avalanche Bar & Grill, 8th Street, Courtenay. The Georgia Straight Jazz Society is grateful to the years that the Elk's members and staff that made us so welcome in their lodge, and to the Avalanche Bar & Grill that have made the transition to their location so seamless.
Board Meetings |
Board meetings are scheduled the third Tuesday of each month, 6:00 pm.
Society members are welcome to attend as observers, and are invited to submit suggested agenda items by email to georgiastraightjazz@gmail.com |
Board |
The volunteer cordinator is Monica Mooney.
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Call for Volunteers
| Interested in staging, sound, publicity, membership, photography, volunteer coordination?
Pitch in to make the Thursday Jazz Club, ticketed concert series and other GSJS events and activities successful, artistic and fun! Contact the volunteer coordinator or talk to any board member at the Jazz Club or a concert.
Vounteers make it all happen! Help keep the jazz scene alive in the Comox Valley. |
Liam Grimm Bursary
| Founded in 2008, the Liam Grimm Music Bursary is awarded to a deserving student from the Campbell River, Qualicum or Comox Valley School District who is pursuing post-secondary education in music. Click here for detailed information.
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Funding of the Bursary is by a percentage of funds raised at events hosted by the Georgia Straight Jazz Society. Depending on funds raised, more than one student may be awarded a bursary.
Bursary Recipients:
2008/2009 - Nicolas Sieber, attending VIU jazz studies on trombone.
2009/2010 - Danielle Fortin, from Highland Secondary, Comox, also a trombonist.
2010/2011 - Annaleesa Leach, Highalnd Secondary, Comox, baritone sax, piano and vocals.
2010/2011 - Josh Dieleman, Ballenas Secondary, Parksville, drums
2012/2013 - Tyson Foster
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