BC Interior Jazz Festival 2025: A Three-Day Celebration of Live Music in Kelowna
The BC Interior Jazz Festival returns for its 46th year, bringing performances, workshops, and concerts to Kelowna from April 10 to 12, 2025. Musicians from across Canada will perform at the Kelowna Community Theatre and the Rotary Centre for the Arts, offering a mix of adjudicated performances, educational sessions, and evening concerts featuring established artists and emerging talent. The festival’s main event, the Friday Night All-Star Concert will feature Steve Kaldestad and an ensemble of adjudicators, backed by the BCIJF Big Band.
A Festival with a Long History
The BC Interior Jazz Festival started as a small event led by Johnny Deschner, Robin Jarman, and Dr. Doug Graham. Over the years, it expanded to include more performances, eventually becoming a three-day festival in 1999 when vocal jazz was introduced. The festival is run by volunteers and supported by local sponsors, including School District #23, Wentworth Music, Yamaha Canada, Gorman Brothers, the Rotary Centre for the Arts, and the Kelowna Community Theatre.
The festival provides musicians with professional feedback through adjudicated performances. It also creates opportunities for collaboration between students and experienced artists. Each year, audiences attend performances, clinics, and concerts showcasing different aspects of jazz. The festival's focus on mentorship and education has made it a crucial event for aspiring jazz musicians.
Adjudicated Performances: Opportunities for Musicians
Kelowna Community Theatre (April 10–12, 2025)
Jazz bands and vocal ensembles perform throughout the festival, receiving immediate feedback from adjudicators. Performances run every 25 minutes, with scheduled breaks for lunch and dinner. The public can attend these performances with a 1-day pass ($6) or a 3-day pass ($10). Festival participants receive free admission. The schedule is available online.
The adjudicators, all accomplished jazz musicians, provide feedback on technical ability, ensemble cohesion, and stage presence. Their critiques help musicians refine their skills in real-time, offering insights into phrasing, dynamics, and improvisation.
Rotary Centre for the Arts (April 10, 2025)
Small jazz combos perform at this venue, with a focus on improvisation and interaction. Each group receives coaching from an adjudicator after their set. Entry is by donation ($2–$5 suggested). The festival aims to make these sessions accessible while allowing audiences to experience live jazz in an intimate setting.
The Rotary Centre provides an ideal setting for these smaller performances, allowing musicians to develop communication skills within their ensembles. The close interaction between adjudicators and musicians fosters a learning environment that supports artistic growth.
Workshops and Clinics: Learning from Experienced Musicians
Workshops take place on Friday at the Rotary Centre for the Arts in the Sun FM Dance Studio. These sessions are led by festival adjudicators, including saxophonist Steve Kaldestad. Topics include improvisation, phrasing, and ensemble communication. The workshops are open to the public at no cost. The schedule is available online.
The clinics cover a range of topics, from jazz theory and technique to performance psychology. Festival-goers can watch demonstrations and participate in interactive sessions. Attendees gain insights from musicians who have played at national and international levels, making these workshops valuable for both students and professional musicians.
Evening Concerts: Live Jazz in Kelowna
Thursday Night Jazz Jam (April 10, 2025)
The festival opens with an informal jam session at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Musicians of all skill levels are invited to play jazz standards with a professional rhythm section. The event is hosted by Stephen Buck and Craig Thomson. Attendees can listen or participate, and instruments will be available for use. The jam session takes place at Roma Nord Bistro, with entry by donation.
The Jazz Jam encourages collaboration between students, amateurs, and professional musicians. The presence of seasoned jazz players helps younger musicians build confidence while experiencing the spontaneity that defines jazz.
Friday Night All-Star Concert (April 11, 2025)
The festival’s biggest and most anticipated event features Steve Kaldestad alongside a group of adjudicators. The lineup includes Emily Denison (trumpet), Nicholas Dyson (trumpet), Loni Moger (guitar), Bob Rogers (trombone), and Campbell Ryga (saxophone). The second half of the concert will feature the BCIJF Big Band, directed by Craig Thomson. The concert takes place at the Kelowna Community Theatre at 7:00 PM. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased online, by phone, or at the venue.
This concert brings together musicians who have performed with leading jazz ensembles across North America. The combination of solo performances and big-band arrangements makes it one of the festival’s most anticipated events. The energy and precision of these musicians offer a showcase of jazz at its finest.
Saturday Night Student Showcase (April 12, 2025)
The final concert highlights student musicians selected by adjudicators. The best individual and group performances from the festival return to the stage for one final show. The concert takes place at 7:00 PM at the Kelowna Community Theatre. Tickets cost $14 and are available online, by phone, or at the venue.
This concert serves as a platform for young musicians to demonstrate their progress. The selection process ensures that only the most impressive performances are featured, making it a standout event for audiences interested in the future of jazz.
How to Attend the Festival
Passes for daytime adjudicated performances can be purchased at the Kelowna Community Theatre box office or online. Evening concert tickets are available through the same channels. Entry to the Thursday Night Jazz Jam is by donation, and workshops on Friday are free.
The festival is open to musicians, students, and anyone interested in live jazz. Performances and clinics provide opportunities to learn from professionals, while concerts feature a mix of established artists and emerging talent. The BC Interior Jazz Festival continues to bring live music to Kelowna, with a focus on education and performance. The festival’s long-standing reputation ensures a consistently high standard of musicianship and a valuable experience for audiences and performers alike.
