Dear Editor,
On behalf of the organizing committee of the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival, I would like to thank you for your sponsorship and support of the first annual festival.
The festival was supported by many partners, individuals and organizations whose contributions and efforts made this free community event possible. The festival has truly been a community effort and we are grateful for your support.
The sights and sounds of arts, and live jazz took over the streets of Fort Langley last Saturday [July 28] with the first annual Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival. The festival began with a New Orleans flare as the six-piece RazzMaJazz Ensemble lead a strolling Mardi Gras style parade from the Fort Langley Farmers’ Market to the festival’s main stage, the Fort Langley Community Hall.
It was a start that led to a great day of music and art. Streets were lined with people walking between the two stages taking in a variety of great jazz acts from the 10-piece Wow Jazz Orchestra and 50-voice choir, City Soul Choir, to the bluesy Murray Porter Band, Afro-Latin band, Rumba Calzada and the Miles Black Quartet with rising talent, 18-year-old jazz vocalist, Julie Copeman-Haynes. In addition to the two main jazz stages, local galleries and studios and buskers lined the streets of the village.
We estimate that around 5,000 people attended the festival throughout the day. We hope you had the time to enjoy the festival!
Karen Zukas
Executive Director, Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival