Events at this location

Benjamin Millman is a pianist, producer and multi-instrumentalist hailing from Vancouver BC. The son of two musicians, he’s been playing and creating in the Vancouver scene since he was a child, and he recently completed his bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance/Composition from Capilano University. His trio music, reminiscent of players like Ahmad Jamal and Benny Green, is both meticulously calculated and bubbling with excitement.

Featuring Karl DeJong — drums, Winston Mynkler — bass.

Vancouver’s own Chris Fraser has rapidly become a first-call guitarist across the jazz scene. Fraser will be presenting his own rousing and soulful original compositions as well as wry adaptations of classic songbook standards. His quartet will feature Sharon Minemoto on piano, Jeff Gammon on bass, and Todd Stewart on drums.

After decades as one of the most sought-after bassists in jazz, his focus is now on his groups. Ben’s 2023 release Unjust, is his tenth as a leader and features all original compositions. He’ll be performing with his trio featuring Chris Lewis on tenor saxophone and Aaron Kimmel on drums

New York bassist/composer Ben Wolfe’s music has been described as “Mingus and Miles Davis meet Bartok and Bernard Herrmann” (Ben Ratliff – The New York Times)

Bassist Brent Gubbels is a versatile and eclectic musician who’s been busy freelancing in Vancouver since the late 1980’s. In that time, he’s toured North America, Europe and China, played on a Juno-winning recording and two Juno-nominated recordings. For this rare outing as a leader, Brent has assembled a stellar ensemble featuring Tilden Webb on piano, Nick Bracewell on drums and Jon Bentley on saxophone. Expect to hear some great tunes from Sweet Rain (Stan Getz) and some outstanding music from the Post-Bop/Blue Note era.

Two of Canada’s finest musicians (both JUNO nominees), vocalist Heather Bambrick and bassist Jodi Proznick combine creative forces and musical simpatico in a highly entertaining show that travels from Newfoundland to BC and beyond!  It’s a show that’s full of brilliant music, personal connection, and full on entertainment!

With Tilden Webb – piano, Jesse Cahill – drums

Pianist and composer Chris Andrew is one of Canada’s top talents in jazz. Chris’ unique approach and distinct voice on the piano have personally garnered him a CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award. His Quartet will feature Bernie Arai on drums, Brent Mah on saxophone and  Rubim de Toledo on bass, playing music from his new record, Home.

Legendary pianist Ron Johnston brings his swinging trio to Frankie’s for a night of smooth, lush melodic sounds.  A student of Oscar Peterson, Johnston has been a fixture in the Vancouver jazz scene for over 50 years.  He has worked with the best of the best, and is considered one of Vancouver’s finest jazz musicians.  Joining him for an evening of swing, blues and latin classics is his longtime associate, alto saxophonist Dylan Cramer.  Johnston and Cramer have made five albums together, spanning the past 25 years  If you like gorgeous melodies and heartfelt playing, this night is for you.

With Steve Holy Bass

Vancouver Reel To Real Recordings celebrates the release  of Shirley Scott Queen Talk: Live at the Left Bank. QueenTalk — so named because of Scott’ssobriquet “the Queen of the Hammond B-3” — showcases the organ originator’ssoulful style in a trio format with Left Bank regular George Coleman anddrummer Bobby Durham, captured at the Famous Ballroom on Aug. 20, 1972; thegifted jazz vocalist Ernie Andrews sits in on three of the album’s 10 numbers.

With Chris Gestrin – Hammond organ, Steve Kaldestad – tenor saxophone and Todd Stewart – drums

Vancouver Reel To Real Recordings celebrates the release  of Shirley Scott Queen Talk: Live at the Left Bank. QueenTalk — so named because of Scott’ssobriquet “the Queen of the Hammond B-3” — showcases the organ originator’ssoulful style in a trio format with Left Bank regular George Coleman anddrummer Bobby Durham, captured at the Famous Ballroom on Aug. 20, 1972; thegifted jazz vocalist Ernie Andrews sits in on three of the album’s 10 numbers.

With Chris Gestrin – Hammond organ, Steve Kaldestad – tenor saxophone and Todd Stewart – drums

Award-winning bassist, composer, arranger and educator Paul Rushka is pleased to return to the stage at Frankie’s with his Present Past ensemble. Influenced by the music of Canadian jazz icon Kenny Wheeler, the group performs a mix of original compositions and pieces by Wheeler. Featuring Jon Bentley on saxophones, Tristan Paxton on guitar, Paul Rushka on double-bass, and special guest Bernie Arai on drums.

Vancouver Reel To Real Recordings celebrates the release of Walter Bishop Jr. – Bish At The Bank. Bish at the Bank features hard-swinging bop pianistBishop with another underestimated player, tenor and soprano saxophonist andflutist Harold Vick, backed by bassist Lou McIntosh and Dick Berk. These performances have never been heard before and are available on 180gram Double LP and CD with extensive liner notes and rare photographs.  A fabulous quartetr co-led by pianist Miles Black and tenor saxophonist Cory Weeds will play all the material from the recording!

With Miles Black on piano, Cory Weeds on tenor saxophone, Paul Rushka on bass and Jesse Cahill on drums

Vancouver Reel To Real Recordings celebrates the release of Walter Bishop Jr. – Bish At The Bank. Bish at the Bank features hard-swinging bop pianistBishop with another underestimated player, tenor and soprano saxophonist andflutist Harold Vick, backed by bassist Lou McIntosh and Dick Berk. These performances have never been heard before and are available on 180gram Double LP and CD with extensive liner notes and rare photographs.  A fabulous quartetr co-led by pianist Miles Black and tenor saxophonist Cory Weeds will play all the material from the recording!

With Miles Black on piano, Cory Weeds on tenor saxophone, Paul Rushka on bass and Jesse Cahill on drums

This spring, the multi-award-winning NICK MACLEAN QUARTET feat. BROWNMAN ALI embarks on their extensive, two month national tour across Canada, bringing them from their hometown of Toronto all the way to the Pacific coast and everywhere in between. Led by fast-rising piano star NICK MACLEAN — an 8x Global Music Award winner and one of the most in-demand young jazz piano players in Toronto — this contemplative yet thrilling quartet delivers jazz between the two poles of thoughtful introspection and powerhouse conveyance, taking influences from Herbie Hancock’s primordial 1960’s Blue Note era recordings. Maclean’s quartet heavily features one of Canada’s most provocative improvising trumpet players — BROWNMAN ALI — an internationally acclaimed, multi-award winning jazz iconoclast who has been heralded as “Canada’s preeminent jazz trumpet player” by New York City’s Village Voice and is best known globally as the last trumpet player to play in the legendary jazz-hip-hop group GURU’s JAZZMATAZZ. For this show, Ali & Maclean stand shoulder-to-shoulder with 2 of Canada’s top-tier rhythm section players: BENNETT YOUNG on upright bass (in for Ben Duff), and MIKE RAJNA on drums (in for Jacob Wutzke). Come witness these four in full flight, this tour features many nights of deeply exploratory, hard-swinging modern-jazz audiences nation-wide will not want to miss. With Nick Maclean – piano, Brownman Ali – trumpet, Bennett Young – bass and Mike Rajna – drums

A Maple Blues Awards nominee, guitarist, songwriter and singer Arsen Shomakhov is an electric blues performer truly dedicated to the style’s roots yet never hesitating to borrow means of expression from other genres. Arsen will be performing with Jerry Cook (saxophone), Billy Mendoza (bass) and Chip Hart (drums).

Vocalist Steve Maddock pays tribute to the men & women who popularized the urban blues of the early & mid 20th century – vocalists such as Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Jimmy Rushing, and Joe Williams. With Brad Turner – trumpet, Cory Weeds -tenor sax, Chris Gestrin -piano, Andre Lachance -bass and Dave Robbins – drums

Trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Feven Kidane is excited to bring her dynamic quintet to Frankie’s for the first time. Working within the traditions of post-bop and modern jazz, each tune selected and/or written weaves in collective storytelling with soul fire. This is music to invigorate, emotionalize, and ponder, and her lineup consists of Gordy Li on tenor sax, Cole Woodland on bass, Todd Stewart on drums and Quincy Mayes on piano.

Trumpeter and composer Cyrus Nabipoor is among the most unique storytellers on the scene today. His unmistakable voice resonates with honesty, warmth, and lyricism. Melody reigns as Nabipoor balances focused clarity with fearless exploration on the horn.

With his Quartet, Nabipoor combines his formidable compositional ability with sensitive yet daring arrangement. The result is a powerful instrumental & improvisational experience, which pulls just as much from pop & rock music as it does the jazz idiom.

Influenced by diverse talents like Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis, and Guido Basso, trumpeter Vince Mai brings to Frankie’s a night of original straight-ahead jazz with forays into new grooves. Included will be material from his 6 CD releases as well as some new compositions not yet recorded.

With Miles Black on piano, Miles Hill on bass, Daryl Jahnke on guitar, and Bernie Arai on drums

Susana Williams is a singer/songwriter, percussionist and producer. She has been featured in several Vancouver International Jazz Festivals and the Victoria International Jazz Festival. She has shared the stage with some of the most prestigious jazz and Latin Jazz artists such as Hugh Fraser, Sal Ferreras, Arturo Sandoval and Poncho Sanchez, among others.

Susana is bringing her Latin Jazz quartet Terra to Frankies to perform classic Afro-Cuban and Latin Jazz tunes.

Karin Plato is a Vancouver based jazz vocalist, arranger and composer. She sings swing standards, lush ballads, breezy waltzes and original songs and performs her arrangements of classic pop and blues songs certain to satisfy your soul.

Karin has assembled a wonderful band for this special Mother’s Day show:

With Chris Sigerson on piano, Geoff Claridge on clarinet on Conrad Good on bass and Joe Poole on drums

Our music is well-rooted in the gypsy jazz of 1930’s Paris France, but beyond that it’s all pure blue-skying; flights of dazzling fancy, driving rhythms and boundless creativity, featuring original compositions and arrangements including humorous mash-ups wearing their eclectic influences in full regalia. Since the group’s formation in 1998, they have toured extensively in

With Cameron Wilson – violin, Budge Schachte – guitar, Finn Manniche – cello and Brent Gubbels – bass

Toronto vocalist Maureen Kennedy has performed at numerous venues and arts events in and around the city of Toronto with many of Canada’s accomplished jazz players. Her great passion is repertoire, evident in her extensive book of memorable standards and rediscovered gems. This will be her second time at Frankie’s. Maureen will be accompanied by a first-rate group of Vancouver musicians:  Bill Coon – guitar, Miles Black – piano -John Lee – bass and Cory Weeds – saxophone.

“one of today’s rare jazz vocalists who evokes the purity, simplicity and directness of such great 1950s jazz voices as Teddi King, Lucy Reed, Pinky Winters and Irene Kral.” – World Records

“Kennedy is that rare presence, a real jazz singer; and her new CD is a winner. ” – Jazz Society of Oregon

Toronto vocalist Maureen Kennedy has performed at numerous venues and arts events in and around the city of Toronto with many of Canada’s accomplished jazz players. Her great passion is repertoire, evident in her extensive book of memorable standards and rediscovered gems. This will be her second time at Frankie’s. Maureen will be accompanied by a first-rate group of Vancouver musicians:  Bill Coon – guitar, Miles Black – piano -John Lee – bass and Cory Weeds – saxophone.

“one of today’s rare jazz vocalists who evokes the purity, simplicity and directness of such great 1950s jazz voices as Teddi King, Lucy Reed, Pinky Winters and Irene Kral.” – World Records

“Kennedy is that rare presence, a real jazz singer; and her new CD is a winner. ” – Jazz Society of Oregon

The Leading Ladies Little Big Band is an all-female, 10-piece jazz ensemble directed by Casey Thomas-Burns.“The Ladies” deliver a delightful blend of beloved big band classics and modern-day original compositions.

Casey Thomas-Burns – director, Kayla Ferguson – alto saxophone, Brodie Jones – tenor saxophone, Sofia Avelino – baritone saxophone, Robin Comeau – trumpet, Amber Tsang – trumpet, Hayley Bennett – trombone, Isabel Leong – guitar, Mackenzie Tran – piano, Riley Poystila – bass, Kate Johnson – drums.

With deep roots in the blues and soul combined with a rock driven edge, The Mojo Stars have released two CD’s, and in their 15 years together, have shared the stage with noteworthy musicians like Jerry Ducette, Curtis Salgado, Sue Foley and James ‘Super Chikan’ Johnson. The band is Randy Clarke- vocals), Mark Rankin – guitar, Trevor Newman – bass, Terry Hoff – drums and Tom Gould – sax

Mimosa presents an inspiring set of music, much of it composed by band leader and pianist Anna Lumiere. Drawing on jazz, French cabaret and Brazilian rhythms, Mimosa’s repertoire includes fast-paced sambas, moody and eclectic waltzes and swinging standards with interesting arrangements. On this occasion, Mimosa will also feature the music of some of Canada’s top jazz women, such as Jane Bunnett, Diana Krall and Elizabeth Shepherd.

With Rebecca Shoichet – vocals, Karen Graves – sax and flute, Conrad Good – bass and Bernie Arai – drums

Mimosa presents an inspiring set of music, much of it composed by band leader and pianist Anna Lumiere. Drawing on jazz, French cabaret and Brazilian rhythms, Mimosa’s repertoire includes fast-paced sambas, moody and eclectic waltzes and swinging standards with interesting arrangements. On this occasion, Mimosa will also feature the music of some of Canada’s top jazz women, such as Jane Bunnett, Diana Krall and Elizabeth Shepherd.

With Rebecca Shoichet – vocals, Karen Graves – sax and flute, Conrad Good – bass and Bernie Arai – drums

Composer/Vocalist/Leader Petunia has a 25 year span of touring the globe, playing roughly 150 show dates/year, with 14 albums under his belt. His last 5 albums all going to number one on the college charts in their respective categories. He will be joined by Stephen Nikleva – electric guitar, Paul Townsend – drums and percussion, Noah Walker – lapsteel guitar and Steve Charles – upright bass.

Individually, the members of Blues Hoodoo have their own sparks of self-expression and creativity; collectively, they are a sizzling, entertaining quintet. Along with tasteful cover tunes from the masters – Chick Corea, Jeff Beck, Jaco Pastorius, Herbie Hancock and The Brecker Brothers to name a few – the band features original material that showcases its tightness, musical expressiveness and harmonic adventure. Konrad Breuers (guitars), Ron Wells (drums), Shawn Stewart (bass), Stu Young (keyboards), Ian Putz (saxophone).