Isaiah Collier celebrates John Coltrane's centennial at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, July 1
Marquee Series concert showcases the tenor saxophonist’s sonic innovation and Chicago roots, in homage to a true legend
Isaiah Collier. Photo by Johanna Brinckman
Saxophonist Isaiah Collier, a self-described “sonic scientist”, is bringing his concert Collier Plays Coltrane to the Vancouver International Jazz Festival on Canada Day. The Marquee Series event will take place at the Vancouver Playhouse on July 1 at 7:30 pm.
As a player, composer, arranger, and educator, Collier is making some of modern music’s most ecstatic and transportive statements. A maverick of creative and improvisational force, he’s collaborated with such jazz luminaries as Kahil El’Zabar, Ambrose Akinmusire, Nicole Mitchell, Marquis Hill, and Makaya McCraven, as well as NEA Jazz Masters Billy Hart, Marshall Allen, and Denardo Coleman. He’s also known for his ensemble The Chosen Few, which blew the roof off the Vancouver International Jazz Festival in 2023.
Collier continuously reshapes the sonic landscape of modern jazz, standing firmly within the lineage of Chicago’s rich tenor-saxophone legacy. He’s a mystic of sound, a servant to his craft and culture, and an artist who channels reverence and innovation in every note.
In 2024, the Chicago Tribune called Collier Chicagoan of the Year in Jazz. In 2025, the Jazz Journalists Association named him Up and Coming Artist of the Year; and DownBeat gave him Rising Star of the Year titles for his achievements as a tenor saxophonist, flutist, and group member, later featuring him on its cover.
For Collier’s special celebration of John Coltrane’s centennial at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, he will be joined by drummer Tim Regis, bassist Conway Campbell, and pianist Davis Whitfield.
Tickets are available through Coastal Jazz.
Post sponsored by Coastal Jazz & Blues Society.
Related Articles
Marquee Series concert showcases the tenor saxophonist’s sonic innovation and Chicago roots, in homage to a true legend
Intriguing programming ranges from majestic Holst and Berlioz to a contemporary work dedicated to craft brews, plus a beachfront finale
The choir, which has shared stages with international superstars Alicia Keys and Chris Martin, closes its season with a concert titled Songs of Resilience
After a cancer diagnosis, the former CEO left the corporate world and finally fulfilled his lifelong dream of playing his favourite musical instrument
Joined by his ensemble, the expressive artist pairs songs off his latest album with music inspired by his involvement in a Miles Davis biopic
The festival will include the premiere of Imant Raminsh’s Where Wildness Lives, a choral work dedicated to the artistic director’s late father
Taking place at Canadian Memorial United Church, the event celebrates the strength cultivated through community
Lineup spans indie-rock band Grade School, rap artist Missy D, the Cedar & Sage Dancers, and beyond
Outdoor show on July 25, part of the larger fest, also features Big Rig and DJ Jody Glenham
Programming spans ticketed concerts, an outdoor community performance, masterclasses, and more
Marquee Series act is known for its ’70s-punk roots and ever-evolving sound
Taking place in the state-of-the-art Rock Theatre, program features the Borealis String Quartet, Juno Award–winning Gryphon Trio, and more
Otto Tausk conducts the orchestra, along with mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb and the Vancouver Bach Choir, in a symphony that has a lot of everything
Finale of the storied UBC venue’s 100th-anniversary celebrations features celebrated soprano Simone Osborne and bass-baritone Gordon Bintner
New York–based multi-instrumentalist, the child of legendary saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, is joined by their band and the Todd Stewart Trio
Performers at the 2026 edition include Uncle Strut, Felisha and the Jazz Rejects, Art d’Ecco, Brass Camel, Rich Hope, and many more
Artists hitting Jericho Beach Park range from Denmark’s Tina Dico and Ukraine’s Yagódy to Portland’s Anna Tivel and Jeffrey Martin
Event’s top works from across the country and the globe leap between juggling, circus, art installation, concert, and more
Artist Jasmine Chen relearns Mandarin and discovers lost family history in multidisciplinary, personal show
Reports are emerging that the musician, composer, and pillar of the Indigenous classical community passed away in car accident after father’s funeral in Northern Alberta
Genre-spanning national and local talents take to North Shore venues in presentation by BlueShore at CapU and Vancouver International Jazz Festival
