Frankie's Jazz Club's Upcoming Shows

Few settings place greater demands on a tenor saxophonist than the piano-less trio, where much of the group's melodic and harmonic direction rests with the horn player. For acclaimed Canadian saxophonist Mike Allen, that challenge is part of the appeal. Recognized as one of Canada's leading jazz voices, Allen has performed with artists including Kenny Wheeler, Cedar Walton, Gary Bartz, Chuck Israels, and Michael Bublé, and has earned widespread acclaim for his expressive playing and commitment to the jazz tradition.

Joining him at Frankie's are two exceptional collaborators: internationally renowned drummer Carl Allen, whose résumé includes work with Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, and Ron Carter, and Vancouver bassist John Lee, one of Canada's most versatile and sought-after musicians. The trio first came together several years ago, resulting in the critically acclaimed album To A Star, and continues to captivate audiences with its dynamic interlay and powerful swing.

This performance is part of VanJazz26

Isabella Hallia is a Montréal-based jazz vocalist whose lyrical voice and warm, resonant tone bring fresh sensitivity to the timeless sound of traditional vocal jazz. She draws her inspiration from icons such as Anita O’Day, Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan, and Mel Tormé.

With the upcoming release of her debut album, Isabella Hallia: A Formal Introduction, her performance puts a spotlight on songs from the album as well as other favourite standards of hers.

Her musical selection consists of her original compositions, written in the style of the Great American Songbook, and her arrangements of jazz standards that are less commonly performed. This concert is a candid portrait of Isabella's musical and personal self.

This performance is part of VanJazz26

The Jill Townsend Jazz Orchestra takes the stage with its distinctive sound, featuring sparkling original compositions and delectable arrangements by Jill Townsend and Bill Coon, crafted to highlight the remarkable musicianship and personality of the orchestra.

Join us for an exhilarating evening of lush ensemble writing, original compositions, and fresh takes on familiar standards—all brought to life by JTJO’s superb roster of soloists, including Steve Kaldestad, Cory Weeds, Bill Coon, Derry Byrne, John Korsrud, and Dave Robbins. Expect beautiful melodies, rich harmonies, infectious grooves, and plenty of musical surprises from one of Vancouver’s most dynamic large jazz ensemble.

This performance is part of VanJazz26

Enjoy 50% off all Reserve bottles of wine and cover charge starting at $5

Join the fabulous BRUNO HUBERT and this trio as CORY WEEDS takes the week off!

Bruno Hubert is one of Canada’s most lyrical and expressive Jazz pianists, with a deep sense of swing, lush harmonies, and beguiling melodic lines. His conception, while highly original and utterly genuine, is evocative of, at once, Erroll Garner, Keith Jarrett, Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans and other luminaries of jazz. While he is careful to stress that he is not a composer, he nevertheless presents a cornucopia of medley-like arrangements of jazz standards, soul, rock and pop influenced pieces, often in a lively night club environment.

Mr. Hubert has been quietly underpinning the Vancouver jazz scene for over twenty years now and while he has a number of recordings under his own name, he is also a key associate of other top jazz musicians such as Juno Award winner Brad Turner (Trumpet), Juno nominated vocalists Jaclyn Guillou and Denzal Sinclaire, Seamus Blake and others. Earlier in his career he collaborated with such musical luminaries as Gino Vannelli, and Nora Jones.

With André Lachance - bass and Joe Poole - drums

This performance is part of VanJazz26

Ilhan Saferali is a trumpeter, pianist, educator and composer based out of New York City. After making a name for himself as a promising young talent on the Canadian Jazz scene in his late teens, Ilhan moved to New York to study Jazz performance at The New School and develop his professional/artistic career. Ilhan has worked and studied with numerous Jazz greats such as Reggie Workman, Buster Williams, George Coleman, Johnny O Neal, Gene Perla amongst others. Ilhan is currently working nightly as a bandleader and sideman at some of the most cutting-edge jazz clubs in New York City such as Smalls, Zinc Bar, Ornithology, Nublu and others.

This performance is part of VanJazz26

Founded in 2001 by saxophonist, producer, and impresario Cory Weeds, Cellar Music Group celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026. Over the past quarter-century, the Vancouver-based label has released more than 400 albums and earned an international reputation as one of North America's leading independent jazz labels.

When Thankfully was released in 2001, neither Ross Taggart nor Weeds could have known it would become the album that launched Cellar Music Group. Recorded live during The Cellar's first year, it captured a pivotal moment in Vancouver jazz history and remains a testament to Ross's lyrical, swinging, and deeply personal artistry.

For these special performances, surviving quartet members Mike Rud (guitar) and Bernie Arai (drums) reunite with Cory Weeds (tenor saxophone) and Chris Gestrin (organ) to celebrate the music and legacy of Thankfully.

To mark the occasion, Cellar Music Group will release a limited-edition, hand-numbered 180-gram blue double-vinyl pressing of Thankfully. Only 200 copies will be produced and available exclusively at these performances.

This performance is part of VanJazz26

Founded in 2001 by saxophonist, producer, and impresario Cory Weeds, Cellar Music Group celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026. Over the past quarter-century, the Vancouver-based label has released more than 400 albums and earned an international reputation as one of North America's leading independent jazz labels.

When Thankfully was released in 2001, neither Ross Taggart nor Weeds could have known it would become the album that launched Cellar Music Group. Recorded live during The Cellar's first year, it captured a pivotal moment in Vancouver jazz history and remains a testament to Ross's lyrical, swinging, and deeply personal artistry.

For these special performances, surviving quartet members Mike Rud (guitar) and Bernie Arai (drums) reunite with Cory Weeds (tenor saxophone) and Chris Gestrin (organ) to celebrate the music and legacy of Thankfully.

To mark the occasion, Cellar Music Group will release a limited-edition, hand-numbered 180-gram blue double-vinyl pressing of Thankfully. Only 200 copies will be produced and available exclusively at these performances.

This performance is part of VanJazz26