The Kaslo Jazz Etc Society

The people who make it happen

About The Kaslo Jazz Etc Society

The Kaslo Jazz Etc. Society (KJES) is a registered charity, incorporated February 23, 1993, with a mandate “To foster and promote the appreciation of jazz and related music in the Kootenays.”

Over the long weekend in August, the Kaslo Jazz Etc Society presents the annual Kaslo Jazz Etc. Summer Music Festival. This festival brings together an eclectic and talented sampling of jazz and related music in an outdoor festival which has grown to become the area’s longest running cultural event. The Festival annually draws a large crowd to the rural community of Kaslo and is a spark plug for this economically challenged region. The festival makes live music, performed by high quality, professional artists accessible to the local community, while drawing visitors from BC, Alberta, and the US. It has put Kaslo on the map as an artistic and cultural destination.

The Festival attracts a demographic of 65% at 18-50 years old and 35% at 51-70+ years old, with over 70% of whom have attended previously. It is promoted as a family event and stages children’s events and performances throughout the festival. The geography of the site limits audience size and ensures that an intimate environment is maintained.

For its first 9 years, the Festival was run entirely as a volunteer organization. To this day over 350 volunteers support the festival, with a core group of approximately 60 taking key managerial roles. In 2003, KJES founder Jim Holland stepped down as Society President and assumed the position of Executive Director. At that time, KJES initiated the transition to a professional arts organization with a staff budget for the Executive Director. The Artistic Director was primarily a volunteer position until 2011 when the position became a professional position with a compensation package. In 2015, Paul Hinrichs was hired as Artistic Director and in 2016 the Kaslo Jazz Etc Society hired Paul as the new Executive Director while simultaneously celebrating the Festival’s 25th anniversary.

KJES is an active member of the regional, provincial and national arts community. Recognized by Jazz Festivals Canada for producing a leading Canadian jazz festival, KJES is the smallest of the 17 members of this prestigious organization. The KJES has benefited from a rich mentoring relationship with Coastal Jazz and Blues Society (Vancouver Jazz Festival) over the years and through them was the guest of the International Jazz Festivals Conference in 2002 in New York City. KJES staff annually attends the Vancouver Jazz Festival seeking programming input for our festival. KJES is a founding member of the Kootenay Columbia Festivals and Events Association and serves in a leadership role for other festivals and events in the Kootenay region. In addition to these relationships, KJES has built strong connections within the Canadian Live Music Association, BC Touring Council – BC Live, as well as partnering with various local events and businesses to contribute to the robust arts, culture and tourism of the Kootenays.

KJES Guiding Principles

Introduction

The Kaslo Jazz Etc Society (KJES) supports of the following guiding principles as high-level direction to the governance and management of the organization. These guiding principles inform and shape decision-making and assist in the attainment of the vision, purposes, mission, goals, and objectives. They are organized under three main categories – the festival, the people and the organization. The KJES will strive to promote their application by everyone who is involved with the organization.

The Festival

The annual festival is part of the fabric of life in Kaslo. It creates a shared experience and builds community beyond normal boundaries.
The annual festival is a beacon of culture and a spark plug for cultural tourism in Kaslo and the surrounding region.
In our music programming, we seek to offer a range of music while respecting the tradition behind the art of jazz, building an acceptance of diversity and bridging genres.
Contributing to the economic diversity of Kaslo through presentation of quality cultural experiences which is a priority for the KJES.
Sensitivity to the impact of the festival on the community and the Village infrastructure is part of our planning.
We take pride in the aesthetics of our festival setting – “Big mountains, small village, floating stage”.
Festival operations respect the Kaslo Bay environment and waste reduction strategies are fully implemented.

The People

Having fun is a core value and we encourage it in all we do.
KJES provides opportunities for education of audiences, development of youth talent and growth of performance capacity for musicians.
Affordable and family accessible events where the atmosphere is intimate and relaxed. Festival patrons, who attend as kids, potentially become future teen then adult audiences.
KJES produces events where people can experience a range of music and performance that embraces new, unique and exceptional artists.
Regional and local talent have an opportunity for growth in performance and music development.
It is important to continually develop new audiences and at the same time understand the profile and interests of the people who have attended the festival.
Volunteers have clear expectations of their role and a sense of belonging to a team. Their contributions are appreciated and acknowledged.

The Organization

Professionally managed events with quality acts are essential for the sustainability of the organization.
KJES foundational statements, strategic priorities, and policy directives will inform operational plans and guide management of the KJES.
The administration and management of the KJES will be conducted in a professional manner and will fulfill all legal requirements and expectations.
Local purchasing is encouraged to facilitate the growth of local businesses and community support.
We are leaders in the development of a sense of cooperation with local and regional businesses, governments and residents.
Fairness, inclusion, and respectful attitudes guide our actions.
KJES strives to be a model for rural/remote non-profit organization that is professionally run and is an available resource to support other organizations and community events.

Our Board Of Directors

Vice President: Jake The Lady

Secretary/Treasurer: Dan Wyker

Director: David Burrows

Director: Marty Lynch

Director: Lana Knoll

KJES Policies

EQUITY POLICY:

The Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival Society is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all members of our community, including those who identify as LGBTQ2S+, people of color, Indigenous peoples, and others who have been historically marginalized or oppressed. We acknowledge that these groups have faced systemic discrimination and that colonization has had a profound impact on the Indigenous peoples of this land. We are committed to doing our part to address these issues and create a more equitable society.

KJEF defines harassment as any misconduct whether it is verbal, physical or sexual in nature that is likely to cause offense, fear or humiliation to any person.

LGBTQ2S+ INCLUSION:

We believe that everyone should be able to express their authentic selves without fear of discrimination or harassment. We welcome and celebrate the diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities that exist within our community, and we are committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for LGBTQ2S+ individuals. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

ANTI-RACISM:

We recognize that systemic racism exists and has deep roots in our society. We are committed to actively opposing racism in all its forms and working towards a more just and equitable world. We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or cultural background. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination or hate speech based on race or ethnicity.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF NATIVE LANDS AND THE EFFECTS OF COLONIZATION:

We acknowledge that the Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival takes place on the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa, Sinixt, Syilx and Secwepemc peoples, which has inhabited this land for thousands of years. We recognize that this land was taken from them through colonialism and that the effects of colonization continue to impact Indigenous peoples to this day. We acknowledge the ongoing harm caused by residential schools, forced assimilation, and other forms of colonial violence. We also recognize the resilience, strength, and contributions of Indigenous peoples to our community and our world.

In order to promote these values, we will:

Provide ongoing education and training for our staff, volunteers, and performers on issues related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, including the ongoing effects of colonization.
Create a safe and welcoming space for all festival-goers, regardless of their identity, background, or beliefs.
Actively seek out and promote the participation of artists and performers who represent diverse identities and backgrounds, including Indigenous artists.
Work to ensure that our policies, practices, and procedures are inclusive and free from discrimination.
Listen to and respond to concerns or feedback from members of our community regarding equity and inclusion.

By implementing this equity policy, we hope to create a more inclusive and equitable festival that celebrates the diversity of our community and promotes social justice. We recognize that this work is ongoing and that we must continue to learn, grow, and take action in order to build a better future for everyone.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY:

The Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival Society is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and harassment-free environment for all members of our community, including staff, volunteers, performers, vendors, and festival-goers. We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect, and do not tolerate any form of sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment is any unwanted or unwelcome sexual or physical behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

This includes, but is not limited to:

Unwanted sexual advances or propositions
Sexual comments or jokes
Inappropriate touching or physical contact
Displaying or sharing sexual images or materials without consent
Sexual assault or violence

If you experience or witness any form of sexual harassment at the Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival, we encourage you to report it immediately to a staff member, volunteer, or security personnel. All reports of sexual harassment are taken seriously and will be investigated promptly and thoroughly.

If you make a report of sexual harassment, we will take the following steps:

Listen and demonstrate understanding and empathy
Ensure that your safety and well-being is the top priority
Conduct a fair and impartial investigation as quickly as possible
Take appropriate action to address the harassment, up to and including disciplinary action against any perpetrator
Work closely with you to ensure that the harassment has stopped, you are safe, and that you are as satisfied with the outcome as possible.

We are committed to providing support to anyone who experiences sexual harassment at the Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival. This may include providing access to counseling, medical care, or other resources as needed.

KJES will not disclose the identity of the complainant or the circumstances of the complaint, except where such disclosure is required by law. KJES will not discuss any matters of a complaint or resolution publicly; either in person or on social media. KJES will not engage in social media discussions.

By implementing this sexual harassment policy, we hope to create a safe and respectful festival environment for all members of our community. We recognize that everyone has the right to feel safe and valued, and we are committed to upholding these values.

ZERO WASTE POLICY:

Please read our Zero Waste Policy HERE which applies to KJES staff, the festival organizers and all festival vendors.

YOUTH POLICY:

We pride ourselves on being a family friendly event and offering discounts / free tickets for children and youth to families, parents and guardians who attend the Kaslo Jazz Etc Festival. As such, we have a detailed Youth Policy HERE which everyone attending with a child or youth is required to read and understand.