Past headliners
Jazz Affair has brought Grammy Award-winning bassist John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, Gerald Clayton, Delfeayo Marsalis and Terell Stafford to Nanaimo.
Twenty years of jazz in Nanaimo
The Friends of Nanaimo Jazz Society works to support and promote jazz music education in Nanaimo. We’re a volunteer-run, registered non-profit, founded in 2006. We love being able to provide opportunities for students to learn from world-class musicians.
How it started
Our first fundraiser, the Manhattan Jazz Affair, featured Nanaimo-raised saxophonist Christine Jensen as guest artist and principal clinician. It raised several thousand dollars for clinics, workshops, scholarships, and bursaries. Jazz Affair is still our signature benefit event.
Homegrown talent
Our 20th anniversary concert was a hometown show, headlined by Nanaimo’s own Juno Award-winning sisters, Christine and Ingrid Jensen.
Thank you
Our concerts and clinics happen because of patrons, local businesses, the City of Nanaimo, and everyone who buys a ticket, donates, sponsors a show, or volunteers.
See how businesses can helpOur board
A volunteer board runs our society.
- Heather Wong President
- Colin Gillespie Treasurer
- Carmella Luvisotto Musical Director
- Marcus Morosan Marketing & Communications Coordinator
- Heather Racz Member at Large
- Richard Chisholm Member at Large
- Gillian Anderson Member at Large
- Wayne Wilkins Member at Large
Get in touch
Questions, partnership ideas, and media requests are welcome at hello@friendsofnanaimojazzsociety.org.
Send us a message