“The first thing you notice holding a copy of Journeys to the Bandstand: Thirty Jazz Lives in Vancouver by author Chris Wong is the sheer heft of the text. Clocking in at over 600 pages, the book is proof that B.C.’s improvised music scene has a long and lively history. It’s testament to Wong’s skill that the book blazes by like a be-bop sax solo … Wong opens up the world of Vancouver jazz by bringing long lost names to life right up to events such as the Jazz at the ‘Bolt festival in 2023. Chapters focus on individuals while explaining their relevance to the greater scene. This means Journeys to the Bandstand avoids the curse of many music histories where the minutiae of dates, individuals and incidents are so complexly intertwined that the reader requires a flow chart to keep up. Instead, we are treated to stories such as the role that Vancouver played in the development of no less a titan of the genre than Ornette Coleman …”

—Stuart Derdeyn, Vancouver Sun and Province

Read Stuart’s article on Journeys to the Bandstand, based on an interview with Chris.

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“As the newest essential book on Vancouver jazz, Journeys to the Bandstand is inviting and personal. Chris Wong unlocks the decisions and emotions from the subjects’ lives from a well-researched vantage point, applying the same care to those tales from decades past as the ones from recent memory. Otherwise hidden personalities emerge as captivating stars on the scene alongside the more well-known names. You’ll learn a lot, whether you lived within these stories yourself or you’re discovering them for the first time … a book for the ages.”

—Will Chernoff, Rhythm Changes

Listen to Will’s 2-hour+ podcast interview with Chris.

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“Chris’s book is a must read not only because of Chris’s amazing ability to capture the personalities of these special artists but also to understand the foundation that Vancouver has for this beautiful art form.”

—Comment left by a reader on the Rhythm Changes website.

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“I have never read a book so fast in my life! Chris did an exceptional job. It’s an absolutely wonderful book and it was so incredible to learn more about the history of jazz in our city and to read about the lives of people that I thought I knew really well. I can’t really put into words how fantastic it is … Congrats Chris Wong. You’ve contributed an incredible thing to the legacy of this city and to the legacy of this music.”

—Cory Weeds, saxophonist, founder, Cellar Music Group

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“I was fortunate to get to read Chris Wong’s new book about the jazz scene here in Vancouver. It’s coming out in February, and you should rush to get it when it arrives. I couldn’t put it down, and I learned so much about a scene that I thought I knew a lot about. From Charles Mingus fighting the BC Lions to Cory Weeds fighting pretty much everybody else, Chris tells us the real stories behind the people who shaped this city’s rich Jazz history. What a fantastic read and what a great testament to the amazing musicians who work here.”

—Tim Reinert, The Infidels Jazz

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On Chris Wong: “A wonderful gentleman who has toiled and agonized for many years and now given birth to a very, very important book that is a wonderful document about Vancouver.” On the book’s unique approach of focusing on individual artists while also conveying history of Vancouver’s jazz scene: “That’s what makes this book particularly unique and worthwhile reading.”

—Gavin Walker, host, The Jazz Show, CiTR 101.9 FM

Listen to Gavin’s interview with Chris and a rare recording of Art Pepper captured live at the original Cellar jazz club. Chris wrote about the recording in the book.

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“It’s an in-depth and rich account of the remarkable life stories of several key protagonists in Vancouver’s jazz and improv scene. From lesser-known icons such as trumpeter John Dawe, to revolutionary shape shifters such as pianist Al Neil, to essential leaders in today’s scene such as bassist Jodi Proznick, Wong chronicles this carefully-curated selection of intriguing lives with a gentle compassion, a steadfast respect for the truth, and a deep love and understanding of the art form itself …. Chris put so much heart into this book, and he has written what I think is an essential reference for anyone interested in jazz, especially the history of Vancouver’s jazz scene.”

—Jane Gowan, host, Music Buddy podcast.

Listen to the 1-hour episode of Music Buddy including Jane’s conversation with Chris and music snippets relevant to Journeys to the Bandstand.

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“I can’t say enough good things about this book. It’s fantastic. Chris Wong is such a good writer. I started out thinking I would read just a few of the chapters [on] musicians I was particularly interested in. But I wound up reading all the chapters in order. They’re so good. I can’t recommend it highly enough!”

—Brian Nation, founder, Vancouver Jazz Society & vancouverjazz.com

—Karin Plato, Vancouver-based jazz vocalist and music teacher

“Essential … When I got this wonderful book I thought I would probably probably just read chapters on musicians I was particularly interested in for one reason or another but I started at the beginning and I could not put the book down until I got to the last chapter, it is so well written. Engaging, informative . . . a pleasure to read. I can’t recommend this book highly enough.”

“Wonderful book … I am a big fan of Vancouver jazz. Chris Wong is a very good writer and I learned so much about Vancouver jazz that I did not know. Bobby Hales connection to Rafael Mendez was very interesting. So many great stories. This book is highly recommended.”

“A lovingly told and entertaining history of Jazz in Vancouver … This book will appeal to Jazz fans everywhere!”

“Outstanding writing … This Chris Wong guy can write. His style is unique, easy to read, and grounded in his research. A fantastic book. Highly recommended.”

“Very interesting read … the stories that took place in the original Cellar made me wish I could have been there at that time in Vancouver history. I recommend it to anyone interested in Jazz … or any genre of music.”

Vancouver, BC Canada music scene … “Thoroughly researched history of the Vancouver jazz scene from the 1950’s up to current times, 2024. The good, the bad, the ugly, lots of inspiring reminiscing from the musical subjects/characters, author Chris Wong has a “no sugar-coating” style of documenting all the mini-biographies of the book’s Vancouver jazz players. Many are true music legends, I found saxophonist bebopper Dave Quarin to be the most legendary of the whole book, documenting his personal/musical life from the early 1950’s transitioning up to the 1980’s generations of Vancouver jazz musicians, etc. Bit of a lull in the 1990’s up to Cory Weeds/Cellar jazz successes beginning early 2000’s up to the present …”

—Comments left by readers in five-star reviews on Amazon.ca.

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“Being only a casual fan of jazz, I was amazed at how drawn into the stories of the jazz musicians covered in this book I became. The stories are detailed, obviously well researched, and just so well written and engaging. I learned so much about the jazz scene in Vancouver, and the array of musicians who influenced it. You don’t need to be from Vancouver to enjoy this book, the stories stand alone, beyond geography or even time.”

“Chris Wong begins his brilliant book with people who established the first opportunities for playing and hearing jazz in Vancouver, BC. From there he digs deep into those who grew that scene. As a fellow journalist at the time, I discovered more about that scene and those players than I ever knew. It makes for a jazz scene far richer than most knew at the time. This is a book I will go back to time and time again. I hear rumours that Wong will produce a second volume, and I second that motion.”

—Comments left by readers in five-star reviews on Goodreads.

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“A remarkable book and I am loving every page. Fun to hear about the old clubs that have, sadly, left the scene like the Glass Slipper and the Classical Joint. Wonderful and artistic portraits of some of our local jazz heroes. We shall look forward to Volume 2!”

—Comment left by a reader on the FriesenPress Bookstore website, where the book was featured as a FriesenPress Staff Pick.