2 \u2018Rising Jazz Stars\u2019 from Surrey picked to play Fort Langley fest in July<\/p>\n
Published 9:00 am Saturday, May 30, 2026<\/p>\n
Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival names two Rising Jazz Stars every year \u2014 one in high school, one post-secondary \u2014 and both of the 2026 winners are from Surrey.<\/p>\n
Bea Lagrisola, the post-secondary award recipient, and Rowan Cyr, high school winner, will perform on the July festival\u2019s Youth & Emerging Artist Stage, and each earn $1,000 scholarships from Fort Langley Community Improvement Society and Langley Heritage Society.<\/p>\n
As an added prize, Lagrisola will also get to perform with Grammy-nominated jazz singer and pianist Laila Biali at the festival\u2019s closing concert, Sunday, July 26 at Chief Seapass Theatre.<\/p>\n
Both of the Rising Jazz Stars are \u201coutstanding young musicians recognized by the festival for their exceptional talent, dedication, and promise in jazz,\u201d festival organizers say.<\/p>\n
\u201cBea and Rowan exemplify the talent and creativity of the next generation of jazz, and we\u2019re excited for audiences to experience their performances,\u201d said Dave Quinn, artistic director.<\/p>\n
Lagrisola, a bandleader, composer, arranger and performer known for experimental jazz, studies at the University of Toronto and has played alto saxophone with Vancouver Symphony School of Music Jazz Orchestra at Pyatt Hall, Vancouver Playhouse and other venues.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means a lot to me to be able to share my music in a space filled with such inspiring artists and enthusiastic listeners,\u201d Lagrisola said of the Fort Langley festival.<\/p>\n
Rowan, 17, a student at Elgin Park Secondary in South Surrey, is a singer-songwriter who began busking at just eight years old with a ukulele, saving enough money to purchase her first acoustic guitar.<\/p>\n
\u201cOpportunities like this are incredibly meaningful,\u201d she said of the award. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to be recognized alongside such talented musicians, and I\u2019m really looking forward to performing and sharing my work with a wider audience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rowan will take the Youth & Emerging Artist Stage on Sunday, July 26 at 1 p.m., while Lagrisola will be perform there Saturday, July 25 at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n
From July 23-26, the sounds of jazz, blues, soul and fusion will be heard at Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival, a non-profit organization \u201cdedicated to presenting world-class jazz and arts.\u201d<\/p>\n
The festival, a hybrid event, offers two days of free music, art and culture on July 25 and 26 (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.), alongside select ticketed performances over four days.<\/p>\n