Steelhead Sound Production Society was formed in 2025 with the goal of platforming and promoting original works by Canadian artists in the jazz and improvised music traditions. We believe that the talent in our communities is limitless, and wish to join musicians and audiences to celebrate and showcase the brilliant voices on our scene. We are based out of and focused on Vancouver and surrounding municipalities with an emphasis on local talent.

Board of Directors

Summer Run Jazz Fest

On the 29th of August, 2026 we launched our first major project, the Summer Run Jazz Fest. We had five amazing bands present over an afternoon and into the evening, and were incredibly pleased with how the community showed up to support. A thousand thank yous to everyone who played, volunteered, and attended. A special thank you to Ardeshir Pourkeramati and Brad Pearson for handling the sound, Jeremy Price for his sponsorship of the Jimi James Fraser Sextet, and of course Vincent Lim, who graciously allows us use of his photos, for so beautifully documenting the day for us. Please enjoy Vincent’s work below.

The Stranger Friends 4tet kicked off the day, filling the hall at St James Community Square with warmth and a truly inclusive set of music. With Dean Thiessen on piano, Thad Bailey-Mai on trumpet, Wynston Minckler on bass, and Ben Parker on Drums.

Dean Thiessen’s Stranger Friends 4tet

Chris Fraser Trio

Next on the list was Chris Fraser, leading a guitar trio with a commanding presence. Strong and decisive solos soared over the unshakable rhythm section featuring David Caballero on bass and Karl Dejong on drums.

Jillian Lebeck managed to somehow make the piano sound as though it were being played on stage at the Chan Centre. Every corner of the place ringing, the beauty of her compositions only rivaled by her mastery at the keyboard. Jillian was joined by the incredible team of Conrad Good on bass and Bernie Arai on drums.

Jillian Lebeck

Our penultimate act exploded into their first song, and kept the energy going throughout the entirety of their set. Lead by Jimi James at the piano and driven by the engine of Dave Robins on drums and Brad Pearson at the bass, the horn line blasted out intense harmonies and frantic lines, featuring Spencer Drody on trumpet, Connor Lum on sax, and Cam Henderson on trombone.

Jimi James Fraser Sextet

Headlining the festival was the Brad Turner Quartet. It was an honour to have this legendary Vancouver band show up in support of our endeavour, and they did not disappoint. Brad’s clear tone on the trumpet reverberated through the room with the brilliance of Bruno Hubert playing counterpoint against him on the piano. The creative bass work of André Lachance and the electric rhythms of Joe Poole on the drums laid the groundwork for an incredible set.

The Brad Turner Quartet