Atlantic Jazz Nights, Presented by the Arts & Culture Centre
By Robin Krafft | Photography by Nate Gates | Interview & BTS Jonathan Leonard | Fashion Suits Model Shop & Relic Supply
Newfoundland and Labrador’s premier jazz series, Atlantic Jazz Nights, wraps up its third season with a provincial tour. Pie NL caught up with series co-hosts and Juno Award-winners, pianist Florian Hoefner and bassist Jim Vivian, along with Aiden Flynn, Director of the Arts & Culture Centre (ACC), to reflect on how the series came to life—and why it’s been such a hit with audiences across the province.
Building a Jazz Scene
From the beginning, Atlantic Jazz Nights has been more than a concert series—it’s been a passion project. Aiden Flynn, who worked with Hoefner and Vivian to launch the series, saw the potential to grow Newfoundland and Labrador’s jazz scene.
“Florian and Jim’s goal in curating and performing in a jazz concert series is to build something lasting in the province,” says Flynn. “The Arts & Culture Centre’s Presentation Series provides an opportunity to expand the audience for jazz by touring Atlantic Jazz Nights across our network of venues throughout the province.”
A Homecoming for Jim Vivian
For bassist Jim Vivian, Atlantic Jazz Nights was personal. A native Newfoundlander, Jim grew up performing on the very stage he now returns to—cutting his teeth with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra (NSO) before heading to the mainland for a successful career as a professional jazz musician.
Four decades later, he’s home.
“I was happy to find Florian was here, too,” Vivian adds.
The two had played together before in Toronto, and a duo tour across the island soon sparked what would become the Atlantic Jazz Nights series.
From Germany to the Rock: Florian Hoefner’s Jazz Journey
Born and raised in Germany, Florian Hoefner moved to New York to pursue graduate studies in jazz piano. There, he met Canadian musician Christine Carter, now his wife. When she landed a faculty position at Memorial University in 2014, the couple relocated to the province. For Hoefner, the series has been a way to create something familiar in a new place:
“Atlantic Jazz Nights is a big part of my response to moving here and wanting to recreate what I had in New York—a vibrant, creative music scene,” says Hoefner.
Though Hoefner and Vivian infused the scene with fresh energy, they weren’t starting from scratch.
“There’s always been a foundation of jazz in the province,” says Flynn. “What Florian and Jim are doing is building upon it.”
A Hidden Legacy of Jazz
While Newfoundland and Labrador may be best known for its rich tradition of folk music, the province also boasts a noteworthy history of jazz. Legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Oscar Peterson once graced the stage at the Arts & Culture Centre, captivating audiences with the spontaneity and electric energy that define the genre.
Long before the Atlantic Jazz Nights series emerged, events like the Wreckhouse Jazz Festival and a strong jazz presence in the central and western regions of the province laid important groundwork for a jazz presence.
Today, Atlantic Jazz Nights carries that legacy forward, elevating the local jazz scene by showcasing internationally acclaimed artists like Laila Biali, Jerry Bergonzi, and Aubrey Johnson, while also cultivating a new generation of jazz lovers and musicians.
Lighting the Spark
For Vivian, it’s about giving back:
“I remember seeing incredible performances on the Arts & Culture Centre stage as a teenager. That’s what inspired me to become a musician. Now, I want to light that same spark in the next generation.”
Hoefner echoes that sentiment:
“There’s something in jazz for everyone; there’s a lot of emotion on stage, a lot of atmosphere. It’s not over your head—it’s deep music that’s coming from the heart and soul that can reach anyone in the audience.”
A Unique Experience for Music Lovers
Drawing on their deep roots in the international jazz community, Hoefner and Vivian have crafted an immersive experience that offers local audiences something truly memorable. Each Atlantic Jazz Nights concert introduces new artists of international acclaim ensuring that each show is different.
“We don’t just invite our guest musicians to play for an audience,” says Hoefner. “We invite them to bring their full artistic voice to the stage as complete artists. Every concert is uniquely shaped by who’s on stage performing with us.”
From the moment guests arrive on show night, Atlantic Jazz Nights transforms the Arts & Culture Centre. The concourse buzzes with live pre-show performances by emerging local jazz talent, curated by Hoefner and Vivian. Add specialty cocktails and a chance to mingle with the headlining performers, and you’ve got more than a night out—you’ve got a musical experience.
Jazz has a way of connecting with music lovers of any genre. As Flynn puts it:
“If you love music—in any form—you’ll be impressed by Atlantic Jazz Nights. Whether it’s your first jazz show or your thousandth, the caliber of artists, the energy, and the spontaneity of the performances are sure to stay with you long after the final bow.”
Season Finale
As the third season draws to a close, Atlantic Jazz Nights is going out on a high note. The finale tour will feature Grammy-featured vocalist and composer Aubrey Johnson, known for her signature blend of jazz, Brazilian, and contemporary styles, along with celebrated violinist Tomoko Omura, and dynamic drummer Jay Sawyer.
Together, they’ll take to the stage alongside Hoefner and Vivian at Arts & Culture Centres, adding the next chapter to the story of jazz in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Catch the Arts & Culture Centre Presents Atlantic Jazz Nights 2024–2025 season finale tour from April 25th to 29th. For show dates, artist bios, and ticket info, visit www.artsandculturecentre.com.
