Vancouver Island being asked to help save Victoria International JazzFest

For more than four decades, the Victoria Jazz Society has brought some of the biggest names in jazz, blues and world music to Vancouver Island.

Now, the organization behind Victoria International JazzFest is asking the community for help to make sure the music continues.

The Victoria Jazz Society has launched a one-time $250,000 fundraising campaign after TD Bank ended its title sponsorship of Victoria International JazzFest.

Without a replacement sponsor, the Society says it cannot guarantee that JazzFest or its year-round concert programming will continue.

The campaign has already gained significant momentum, with roughly $58,000 pledged toward the $250,000 goal as of Friday, October 2nd.

For Vancouver Island, the potential loss would extend far beyond one summer festival.

Founded in 1981, the Victoria Jazz Society has spent more than 40 years building a live music scene that has brought international stars, Canadian performers and generations of local musicians to stages across Greater Victoria.

Its flagship Victoria International JazzFest has become a fixture of Vancouver Island’s summer calendar, with 10 days of performances spanning jazz, blues, funk, soul and world music.

The 2026 festival ran from June 19th to 28th across Victoria and Esquimalt, with performances at venues including the Royal Theatre, Bullen Park, the Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park and several downtown venues.

This year’s lineup included Pink Martini, Kokoroko, Etran de L’Aïr, The Rumble featuring Big Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. and numerous Vancouver Island and Canadian performers.

Over the years, the Society has welcomed an extraordinary list of artists to Victoria, including Herbie Hancock, Dave Brubeck, Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Guy, George Benson, Esperanza Spalding, Sonny Rollins, Trombone Shorty and The Blind Boys of Alabama.

JazzFest is only part of what the organization has contributed to the region.

The Victoria Jazz Society has also operated the long-running Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival, formerly known as Vancouver Island Blues Bash, which spent more than 30 years bringing blues and roots performances to Victoria’s Inner Harbour.

That festival was placed on hiatus for 2026 as the Society dealt with the loss of corporate sponsorship and rising production, labour and supplier costs, with organizers hoping it can return in 2027.

Throughout the rest of the year, the Society also presents its fall/winter/spring concert series and supports free outdoor performances, educational workshops, student ticket access and opportunities for local and emerging musicians.

The current fundraising campaign is intended to give the organization enough runway to continue operating while it searches for new long-term sponsorship.

“I’m not a one-person standing ovation. We’re a community of music lovers standing together,” said Jack Pierre, board president of Victoria Jazz Society.

Executive and Artistic Director Darryl Mar said he wants to ensure the organization can continue presenting local, Canadian and international musicians in Victoria for many years to come.

The Society is collecting pledges until October 30th.

If enough support isn’t secured, the organization has warned it may have to consider alternatives that could include closing its doors and discontinuing operations.

For an organization that has spent more than four decades filling theatres, parks and outdoor stages with live music, the next few weeks could be critical.

The Victoria Jazz Society is a federally registered charity, and the organization says donations help fund artist costs, local musician opportunities, accessible tickets, workshops, community programming and free performances.

For Vancouver Islanders who have attended a summer JazzFest concert, danced at Ship Point, discovered a new artist at a free outdoor show or watched a local musician get their opportunity on a major stage, this is a chance to help ensure those experiences continue.

With a final goal of $250,000 and with roughly $58,000 already pledged, the community has already started to answer the call.

Now, the Victoria Jazz Society is hoping the rest of Vancouver Island will help keep the music playing.  Click here to make a donation today.