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2024 NIJFA Festival Reflection: The Canadian All Stars Sextet
featuring Phil Dwyer and Christine Jensen 

If you were there, you’d know why they’re called the ‘All Stars’. This sextet of some of Canada’s leading jazz performers presented a one-night only performance that instantly became a memorable moment in the pantheon of West Coast Jazz music.

Led by multiple Juno winner and Order of Canada recipient, saxophonist Phil Dwyer, this ensemble of seasoned Canadian pros joined forces for a spectacular special event. 

Complementing the sextet was Nanaimo’s beloved saxophonist Christine Jensen, guitarist Ted Quinlan, Cuban trumpet ace Alexander Brown, and Roberto Occhipinti on bass, all of whom can claim Juno wins or nomination status over the years.

Completing this award-winning crème de la crème band was Order of Canada recipient, the legendary drummer Terry Clarke.

It was a rare opportunity to witness an exceptional combination of Canadian jazz masters sharing the stage for the very first time. The event exemplified the kind of music excellence that is becoming the signature of the Nanaimo International Jazz Festival Association.

Dive deep into the heart and soul of Vancouver Island’s jazz scene. The rhythms and melodies at the last Festival were here not just in music but reflective of the island’s spirit and echo the sounds of its landscapes, communities, and cultural tapestry.