Not Just a Jazz Orchestra
Created in 2022, the Vancouver Jazz Orchestra (VJO) has wasted no time making its mark. In just a few years, it has commissioned new works, released a debut album, and performed with internationally renowned jazz artists including Seamus Blake, Jeremy Pelt, Brian Charette, and Carl Allen.
Unlike a traditional big band, the VJO features a rotating roster of musicians for every performance, creating new artistic possibilities while showcasing the depth and diversity of Vancouver’s world-class jazz community. This unique model allows the VJO to provide opportunities for a far greater number of local artists and ensures that every concert brings a fresh combination of voices, perspectives, and talent to the stage.
At the same time, the VJO Society has established itself as a cultural cornerstone in Vancouver, nurturing the next generation of jazz artists through scholarships and mentorship, expanding access through community outreach, and investing in the future of the art form through education and new commissions.
VJO is making a difference
Fraser MacPherson Scholarship
Our annual Fraser MacPherson Scholarship program which provides financial support and mentorship to the next generation of B.C.’s most talented artists (both Secondary and Postsecondary levels)
Vancouver Youth Jazz Orchestra
The VYJO, which performs at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival and offers a mentorship-based program, incorporates professionals from the VJO into each section (ie. a pro mentor in the sax section, and the trombone section, etc.)
Free Workshops & Outreach
We offer free workshops to the public featuring both local and international artists.
We also offer outreach through performances at local highschools to inspire and educate kids.
Recording & New Works
Commissioning and recording new works, composed and arranged by local musicians, helping to build a repertoire of uniquely Vancouver-based music.
Find the Vancouver Jazz Orchestra album (released 2025) here.
James Danderfer
Artistic Director
Clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, and educator James Danderfer has performed and recorded with numerous acclaimed artists across North America, including Steve Nelson, Quincy Davis, Miki Yamanaka, and Steve Davis. James is also a LEO Award-winning film composer and an active educator at the VSO School of Music, Capilano University, and Vancouver Community College. In 2022, together with long-time colleague (and Executive Director) Cory Weeds, James co-founded the Vancouver Jazz Orchestra (VJO) and is proud to serve as Artistic Director, helping to build a new and exciting addition to Vancouver’s cultural landscape.
Cory Weeds
Executive Director
Cory Weeds is a saxophonist renowned for his warm, resonant tone, deeply rooted in the jazz tradition. He is also a tireless record label owner, committed to documenting the essential contributions of both acclaimed and under-recognized jazz artists. As one of the most influential jazz impresarios in Canada and North America, Weeds has established himself as a driving force within the jazz community. His dedication and work ethic have earned him a reputation as one of the hardest-working individuals in the business.
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Weeds shares a long-standing friendship with Artistic Director James Danderfer, with whom he has envisioned the creation of the Vancouver Jazz Orchestra Society for many years. This initiative reflects their shared commitment to enriching Vancouver’s cultural fabric. By fostering and showcasing the legacy, diversity, and creativity of the city’s jazz musicians, they aim to inspire audiences of all ages. For Weeds, this mission is not only professional—it is profoundly personal.
Our Board Members
Jeff Brocklebank
Catherine Rockandel
David St. Pierre
Liz Jones
Felicia Lee
Christine Pilkington