FILE PHOTO - Valerie and Phil Parmley of Courtenay enjoy the music on the dance floor at the Pentastic HOT Jazz Festival at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.

Image Credit: Mark Brett

Variety is the spice of life — and it’s also one of the key reasons why Penticton’s Pentastic Jazz Festival continues to thrive.

Now in its 27th year, the annual festival kicks off Friday evening and runs all weekend at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre and the Penticton Elks Lodge, showcasing not just jazz, but also zydeco, rockabilly, funk, Western swing, and for the first time in 2025, a country music set.

“This year would have marked 29 years, but we had a two-year hiatus over COVID,” said Beth Campbell, who co-founded the festival with her husband Michael. “We’re proud of 27 years of production and really looking forward to another great festival.”

Inspired by the success of jazz festivals elsewhere, the Campbells launched Pentastic Jazz in the late 1990s. At the time, Beth was also a Penticton city councillor.

“We thought it could work here with the venues we had and the strong support for live music,” she said. “Thankfully, we were correct.”

Over the years, the festival has evolved to reflect the tastes of its audience.

“Our demographics are getting older, so we’re continuing to introduce new genres of music into the mix,” said Campbell. “This year, we’re featuring a set of country music with two Canadian artists — Dane Bateman from Penticton and rising star JoJo Mason.”

A highlight of the 2025 lineup will be a Tribute to the Beatles on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at the PTCC. Todd Morgan and the Emblems will perform the set, bringing the Fab Four’s timeless music to the stage.

Although new to Pentastic as a headliner, Morgan has performed at the festival in the past with other bands.

“The Beatles changed the music world forever,” said Campbell. “That should be a really fun show.”

The festival will continue to present a range of jazz styles, from traditional to contemporary.

“People don’t always understand how many different styles of jazz there are,” said Campbell. “We’ve always included zydeco and Cajun bands, which evolved from Canadian settlers in Louisiana. It’s a fascinating branch of jazz.”

Returning acts include Dave Bennett and the Memphis Speed Kings, crowd favourites known for their high-energy rockabilly shows. Tom Hook and The Hounds, from New Orleans, will bring their signature blend of hot jazz and rhythm & blues.

“They’ve been coming for many years and are always among our most popular performers,” said Campbell.

Other notable acts:

• Tom Rigney and Flambeau, known for their Cajun and zydeco roots, along with blues and Western swing
• Slim Sandy & the Atomic Cocktails and Slim Sandy and the Hillbilly Boppers, bringing swing and rockabilly
• After Midnight from Denver, performing jazz standards from the 1920s–30s, plus swing, blues, and Latin jazz
• The South Okanagan Big Band, an 18-piece ensemble playing Big Band-era classics
• Groovus, a global-touring trio offering a mix of jazz, blues, boogie, ragtime, and pop

“Each band brings something unique,” said Campbell. “That mix keeps the festival fresh year after year.”

The festival kicks off at 3 p.m. Friday, with music continuing all evening and all day Saturday and Sunday across three venues: The French Quarter and Bourbon Street (both at PTCC) and The Cotton Club (formerly the Elks Club).

There will also be a free concert at Penticton Secondary School at 2 p.m. Friday, featuring Todd Morgan and the Emblems. Donations collected will support the school’s band program.

A free shuttle service will run between the Elks Club and PTCC throughout the weekend.

Ticket prices are:

• Weekend pass: $170
• Single-day tickets: $95 (Friday or Sunday), $120 (Saturday)
• Advance sales are tracking well, said Campbell, but many attendees still buy tickets just before or on the day of their visit.

The festival continues to draw a wide range of visitors, from local fans to international travellers.

“Our exit surveys show people coming from California, Oregon, Washington, Europe—even Scotland,” said Campbell. “We also get lots from Alberta, the Lower Mainland, and a group from Courtenay that’s been attending since year one.”

Campbell and her team hope the festival continues for years to come.

For more information, the weekend schedule, or to buy tickets, go here.

— This article was originally published by Penticton Herald

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