ABOUT US

The Georgia Straight Jazz Society (GSJS)

Formed in 2006, the Georgia Straight Jazz Society (GSJS) is a non-profit society based in the Comox Valley. Its vision is to develop and sustain a healthy and vibrant jazz community in the Vancouver Island region.

Since its origin in 2006, the society has developed a popular weekly, now bi-weekly jazz club and offers some ticketed events with top-notch players from Vancouver, Victoria and abroad.

The GSJS is most proud of the high calibre of jazz now being played and appreciated by local musicians and audiences. With a regular venue and opportunities to play, veteran and emerging jazz musicians have supported and challenged each other to grow their skills and develop their chops.

Musicians of all ages regularly appear on the jazz club stage, before engaged audiences that continue to show their support and interest and musical knowledge as the months have passed. A committed group of volunteers keep the sounds happening and the audiences happy.

The goals of the Georgia Straight Jazz Society are to:

  • Develop and sustain a viable and vibrant jazz community on Vancouver Island.
  • Increase awareness of all forms of jazz.
  • Present diverse styles of jazz.
  • Collaborate with youth organizations to enrich their musical education.
  • Provide opportunities to showcase aspiring young jazz musicians.

The Board of Directors

The President is the Chief Executive Officer of the Society who chairs meetings, acts as the spokesperson for the Society and supervises the other Officers in the execution of their duties.

The Vice-President fulfills the President’s duties when the President is absent or if that office becomes vacant. The President may also delegate tasks to the Vice-President where appropriate.

The Secretary is responsible for recording minutes of meetings, maintaining Society records, and ensuring compliance with legal requirements including annual filings required by the BC Societies Act. The Secretary also maintains the Society’s membership list.

The Treasurer is responsible for overseeing the Society’s finances and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. This includes reviewing and approving expenditures, depositing cash receipts and ensuring that the Society’s monthly and annual financial statements are accurate.

The Volunteer Coordinator maintains a list of volunteers, assigns them positions for each performance, then ensures that volunteers perform their assigned duties.

The House Manager is the person in charge for each concert event. Their duties include supervising Front of House volunteers, reviewing their paperwork, and ensuring that cash receipts are properly accounted for. The House Manager also pays the performers (based on a standard pay scale) and other concert costs.

Directors at Large participate in Board meetings, serve on committees and perform other duties where assigned.

Are you interested in joining the Board?

The Georgia Straight Jazz Society is looking for new Directors to join the Board now. Members will elect a new Board in November 2026 but we invite prospective candidates to serve on the Board for the remainder of this fiscal year. If you are interested please email georgiastraightjazz@gmail.com and we will send you further information.