The WRTJS was started in 1990 by Rice Honeywell, pianist and trumpeter, to promote jazz of the New Orleans tradition. His band - Red Beans and Rice - was featured. Quite soon there were regular sessions at the Pacific Inn. Now the Society has weekly sessions from September to June, Sundays 3.00 to 6.00 at the Crescent Beach Legion. Red Beans and Rice are still the house band playing the first Sunday of each month. Other bands occupy the other dates. These include The New Orleans Ale Stars, Louisiana Joymakers, The Big Bang JB, Bria's Hot Five, Maple Leaf JB, Phoenix Jazzers, 49th Parallel JB, 3 Generations JB, Black Stick, Uptown-Lowdown etc. There are 200 or so members of all ages who enjoy dancing, listening and a drink. The Society also holds a Mini Fest each June usually at the Austria Vancouver Club. The Society has non-profit status and encourages students to play early jazz in particular by sending three or four talented youngsters to a jazz camp each year. Attendance each week varies from 80 to 110 and members enjoy a meat draw and a 50/50 lottery. I was honored last year to be elected to the Board as Membership Registrar a role that includes distributing the thrice yearly newsletter.
I have to say that the standard of performance by the bands is extremely high as is the level of enthusiasm. Dance lessons are offered and younger members delight with high quality 'Swing' dancing. More information can be found at the website - www.whiterocktradjazz.com
Also we have The Vancouver Dixieland Jazz Society which offers an annual mini-fest, a three day festival in the Fall, and currently, monthly Saturday afternoon dances with live jazz. A plethora of opportunities for the avid early jazz fan. www.vcn.bc.ca/vdjs
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