Event Description
As part of the UJAM Summer Jazz Workshop running August 11-15, audiences are invited to three nights of exceptional jazz performances at the University of Victoria, featuring some of Canada’s most accomplished and compelling jazz artists.
Tuesday night opens the series with a rare triple bill showcasing the vocal faculty: Harlem-based vocalist Emily Braden, Vancouver jazz icon Jennifer Scott, and celebrated singer-composer Brian Tate. Braden, a dynamic performer known for her soulful blend of jazz and R&B, has headlined international festivals and New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club. Scott, with her distinctive phrasing and command of both voice and piano, has performed and recorded extensively across North America. Tate, beloved for his powerful voice and genre-spanning creativity, brings decades of performance and choral excellence to the stage. The evening will culminate in a collaborative set featuring all three.
Wednesday’s show “Fusion Night” features Wes Carroll’s Confabulation, an inventive and rhythmically adventurous ensemble led by guitarist, composer, and UJAM faculty member Wes Carroll. Known for his work blending hip hop, groove, and modern jazz, Carroll has performed across Canada and shared the stage with luminaries like Michael Blake and Hugh Fraser.
Thursday closes the series with a high-energy double bill. Multi-instrumentalist and drummer John Lee, who has toured with jazz legends such as Cyrus Chestnut and George Colligan, leads a swinging trio. He’s followed by saxophonist Ryan Oliver, a Juno-nominated performer whose rich tone and deep musicality have taken him from Toronto to New York and stages across the world.
Together, these concerts offer an intimate window into the artistry and depth of UJAM’s faculty, each one a standout on Canada’s jazz landscape.