A History of Success
The Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival was founded in 1998 by Artistic Director Michael Kissinger, and Music Director Maria Manzo. A professional classical and jazz clarinetist, conductor, composer, and producer, Dr. Kissinger produced his first concert when he was 16, a concert featuring the legendary jazz clarinetist Woody Herman and The Thundering Herd. While performing in the orchestra of the Spoleto Festival dei due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy, he envisioned creating a music and arts Festival in the United States that would feature music, art, wine, food and more. Michael & Maria founded Bravo! Concerts Northwest in 1993, and the Jazz Festival was launched in 1998. The Festival is a program of Bravo! Concerts Northwest, a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization. See: www.bravoconcerts.com and www.michaelkissingermusic.com.
The First Annual Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival took place September 26-27, 1998, after nearly a year of planning. The Festival premiered to huge weekend crowds and by all measures was an enormous success. The first Festival was held on the site of the former Lucky Lager Brewery in downtown Vancouver. International jazz star and vocalist Dianne Schuur entertained a huge Saturday night crowd. 21 wineries, 6 restaurants and 40 fine artists participated.
Media estimates that 6-8,000 people attend the annual festival each year. Visitors from 30 states, Europe, China, Japan and Canada have attended, and more than 150,000 people have attended and participated since its inception.
Every year the Festival features visual artists, hundreds of wines, local restaurants and numerous commercial exhibitors.
Pianist Maria Manzo & Clarinetist Michael Kissinger, Festival Founders
25 Years of Jazz, Blues, Gospel & Pop Musicians
Over the past 25 years, the Festival has presented such internationally acclaimed jazz artists including: Al Jarreau, Allen Toussaint, Arturo Sandoval, Bela Fleck, BeauSoleil, Bill Frisell, Billy Childs, Blind Boys of Alabama, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Bo Diddley, Booker T. Jones, Bobby Shew, Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Chick Corea, Chuck Mangione, Claudia Villela Coco Montoya, David Sanborn, Diane Schuur, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Don McLean, Dr. John, Eddie Palmieri, Ed Shaughnessy, Ernie Watts, Family Stone, Four Freshmen, Grace Kelly, James Cotton, Jane Monheit, Jean-Luc Ponty, Joey DeFrancesco, John Hammond, John Mayall, John Pizzarelli, Johnny A, Jose Feliciano, Judy Collins, Kenny Loggins, Lavay Smith, Lee Ritenour, Los Lobos, Manhattan Transfer, Marcia Ball, Mavis Staples, Melissa Manchester, Nicholas Payton, Pacific Mambo Orchestra, Poncho Sanchez, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Ramsey Lewis, Regina Carter, Rita Coolidge, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Russell Malone, Ruthie Foster, Sara Gazarek, Shemekia Copeland, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Spyro Gyra, Stanley Clarke, Stanley Jordan, Take 6, The Gospel Hummingbirds, The Louis Armstrong Society Jazz Band, The 5th Dimension, The Rippingtons, The Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band, The Temptations, The Yellowjackets, Toshiko Akiyoshi, WAR and others; as well as more than 100 local and regional jazz bands.
After being cancelled for 2 years due to COVID, the Festival returned in 2022. In 2024, visitors traveled from Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, and Washington; and from 127 cities greater than 50 miles RT from Vancouver. A remarkable statistic and proof that people need music and the arts in their lives.
Diane Schuur performing at the Festival
What is the Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival?
The Festival is the #1 Cultural Tourism event in Southwest WA and is “…the largest jazz festival of its kind in the Northwest…” (ABC TV KATU 2 Portland, OR). Since 1998 visitors from 30 states, Canada, China, Europe, and Japan have attended.
Performing & Cultural Arts
The Festival is a celebration of the musical, visual, performing, and enological arts and brings together GRAMMY-winning internationally acclaimed musicians, regional jazz, blues, gospel, and other bands, Northwest wines, fine artists, and local cuisine.
Cultural Tourism
The Festival draws thousands of visitors to Vancouver. Ticket sales show that visitors from 30 US states, Canada, China, Europe and Japan have attended the Festival. 58% of the audience is out-of-town visitors.
Identity & Image
The Festival is a world-class event. The vision and image of the Festival reflects the image and lifestyle of the Pacific Northwest – a beautiful region and a great place to live, work and visit!
Awards
- 2025 Grant Recipient, Paul G. Allen ArtsFund Foundation
- 2023 Event of the Year by Washington Festivals & Events Association
- 2008 Outstanding Tourism Event by Clark County