Concert by The New Improvisers Studio

Description:

Western Front, in partnership with Coastal Jazz, presented the third edition of The New Improvisers Studio—a free, weeklong educational program for emerging musicians aged 17 to 24, offered as part of the 2026 Vancouver International Jazz Festival. The New Improvisers Studio supported collaborative exploration in musical improvisation through workshops led by a festival artist in residence, who was hosted at Western Front.

Participants Jack Blanco (drums), Ben Cai (saxophone), Thomas Chen (alto saxophone), Jaiden Christie (violin), Erin Kim (bass), Duncan Krywolt (trumpet), Yang Lai (piano), Aya Maranda (violin), Valentina Oh (guitar), and Klee Zubot (guitar) worked closely with multi-instrumentalist and composer Patrick Shiroishi with special guest Wendy Eisenberg.

Under Shiroishi's mentorship, participants approached improvisation as an extension of the self, cultivating a practice that is at once introspective and responsive to the world around them. Through daily three-hour workshops focused on graphic scores, and other visual forms of composition, Shiroishi led participants on an exploration of what constitutes an individual artistic voice and what it means to express that voice independently and within an ensemble.

This culminated in a free, hour-long public performance that was presented as a programmed event of the festival in the Grand Luxe Hall, offering audiences a glimpse into the sonic discoveries developed throughout the week. The concert featured ten graphic scores created by the participants, projected behind the ensemble as they performed.

Presented in partnership with Coastal Jazz, with the support of the Deux Mille Foundation and the Government of Canada.