Dean Edward Thiessen

Dean Thiessen’s Stranger Friends Orchestra takes over the Performance Works stage on July 5 for a can’t-miss collaboration with Fredrik Ljungkvist, a giant of Scandinavian jazz. 🤝 A meeting of the bright lights of the Vancouver scene and an international heavyweight! ✨🥊 @deanedwardthiessen @fredljungkvist The Stranger Friends Orchestra is a 15-piece ensemble led by Dean Thiessen that is redefining the large ensemble with bold compositions, soaring melodies, and fearless improvisation. Rooted in collaboration and the unique voice of each player, their sound is both expansive and deeply human. It features many of the young rising stars of Vancouver’s jazz scene, musicians you’ve likely seen across our stages over the past few years including: Brent Mah, John Nicholson, and Sofia Avelino on saxophones, Rory Hislop, Feven Kidane, and Thad Bailey-Mai on trumpets, Gregory Dent, Nebyu Yohannes, and George McNally on trombones, Chris Fraser on guitar, Suin Park on keyboards, Wynston Minckler on bass, Jason Winikoff on percussion, and Todd Stewart on drums. They’re joined by Swedish saxophonist/clarinettist Fredrik Ljungkvist, a major voice in avant-jazz known for moving easily between raw, explosive playing and quieter, more intricate moments. If you think you know what a big band sounds like, think again! @granville_island 🎟️ On sale now, get your tickets at the 🔗 in bio. #VanJazzFest

Welcome to our 2026 Performance Works Series! This year’s theme is LOCAL EXCELLENCE, spotlighting some of the best and brightest from Vancouver’s own music scene! 👑 From a D’Angelo tribute to a double album release to a 25th Anniversary celebration–there’s something for everyone at our Performance Works Series this year! 🌟 July 1 - Voodoo: The Music of D’Angelo 🌟 July 2 - M:AQ + Sharon Minemoto Quartet (Double Album Release) @maryancheta @sharonminemoto 🌟 July 3 - Cellar Live 25th Anniversary: Cory Weeds Little Big Band ft. Jerry Weldon & Noah Franche-Nolan Trio @cellarlive @coryweeds @jerryweldonmusic @noahfnmusic 🌟 July 4 - Haleluya Hailu Plays Ethiopia, Directed by Feven Kidane @haleluyahailu @thehabeshaman 🌟July 5 - Stranger Friends Orchestra ft. Fredrik Ljungkvist @deanedwardthiessen @fredljungkvist Hit the 🔗 in bio to get your 🎟️ now! @granville_island #VanJazzFest

STRANGER FRIENDS ORCHESTRA’s debut album is turning 1 in May! I’ll be turning 34 but that’s not a big deal at all… I hope this very silly section of this song brings you a bit of joy today. It certainly does for me 💛💛💛 Leading up to the albums 1st bday I’ll be releasing the full length videos of the album on YouTube. I may even sneak out a couple bonus videos from the show that didn’t make it on the album… maybe… ok FINE! I WILL! You can stream the album and you can purchase it at bandcamp.com. (Link in bio) Thanks to everyone who has listened and purchased so far! If you love new big band music, or if you hate big band music but love me, please give it a listen and maybe even buy it! 🤯 This tune is called Freddy C and the video starts right after @johnnicholsonsaxophone ’s amazing solo. Go listen to his whole solo though, you’ll love it. My band 💛💛💛 @saxomahphone @adamnkyle @sofiaavelino_ @roryplaystrumpet @thehabeshaman @thadd.eus @gregorydent @nebyoha @bigyellowhat2318 @chrisfguitar @suinpark.music @wynstygram @todd.stewart_ @jasonwinikoff @theinfidelsjazz

STRANGER FRIENDS at @zameen.art Thank you to everyone who cam out to my first show of the year! 2026 is only 10 days old but it has felt like a conveyor belt of head spinning news and just so much life all at once. Playing music with my friends tonight made me feel so much better and filled my heart. If you need a good pick me up, go see live music! I can guarantee it’ll lift your spirits. Thanks to my band friends @thadd.eus @ben_parker_music and @wynstygram for playing my music so wholeheartedly and to Tim @theinfidelsjazz for putting in THE WORK. I gave away so many sesame stickers tonight which makes me very very happy 💛💛💛

STRANGER FRIENDS 4tet is playing a show at @zameen.art this Friday! Presented by @theinfidelsjazz . We’ll be playing our hearts out starting the new year on the right foot! Come listen! Advance tickets link in bio under ‘upcoming events’ Me (@deanedwardthiessen ) piano @thadd.eus trumpet @wynstygram bass @ben_parker_music drums

This fall /winter has been full of big projects and big bands!! I’m absolutely head over heels in love with everyone I get to make music with! Big shout out to my Charlie Brown Band: @bonnienorthgraves , @ thomas houlden, @johnnicholsonsaxophone and rhythm sections MVPs @bellafedrigo28 & @tylerrossmurray for making this December so dang fun! I love my friends so much! 💛💛💛

The weekend is FINALLY HERE and… CHRISTMAS IS COMING!! The Peanuts 5-tet takes the stage at @viffest tonight (saturday) at 7 and then @heros.welcome Sunday afternoon at 2:00 ($10 at the door). I’ve been working on these arrangements for months off and on and I am so so so excited to share the groovy, funny, and nostalgic music of Vince Guaraldi and the Peanuts gang with you all! @theinfidelsjazz @bonnienorthgraves @ thomas houlden @johnnicholsonsaxophone @bellafedrigo28 @tylerrossmurray @deanedwardthiessen

Start practicing your best Peanuts Gang dance moves! Christmas sweaters encourages and overall holiday silliness required! See you this Saturday the 20th at @viffest for a concert and screening of the 1969 ‘A Boy Named Charlie Brown’ (sold out) and Sunday the 21st at @heros.welcome at 2:00 for $10! Featuring @deanedwardthiessen @bonnienorthgraves @ thomas houlden @johnnicholsonsaxophone @bellafedrigo28 @tylerrossmurray @theinfidelsjazz #charliebrown #vinceguaraldi #christmasjazz #peanutsgang #linusandlucy

NEW SHOW ALERT!!! Stranger Friends explores Dean Thiessen's original compositions that tell stories of one’s experiences with struggle and frustration, triumph and delight, nostalgia and chaos. The compositions are thoughtful and exciting as they pull from Thiessen’s many influences: from the landscapes of his childhood in the Alberta prairies to the literary works of John Steinbeck, as well as the creativity of his fellow musicians. Dean Thiessen on piano, Thad Bailey-Mai on trumpet, Wynston Minckler on Bass, and Ben Parker on Drums. This performance is part of Expression Sessions, a monthly Jazz series at Zameen Art House presented by Infidels Jazz. Dean Thiessen's Stranger Friends 4-Tet Zameen Art House 1515 Anderson January 09, 2026 7:30 Doors, 8:00PM Start $20 in advance, $25 at the door

DECEMBER 21st at @heros.welcome 2:00-4:00. On $10 at the door! Family friendly - all ages show!! Who doesn’t love this music or have some personal or nostalgic connection to it!? Come and feel those feelings with us on Dec 21st! I love the CBrown 1965 Christmas Special but a year later in 1966 they released the Great Pumpkin which features the Vince G piano trio along with trumpet and flute! This instrumentation is so fun and special that I’ve arranged all of the classic CBrown Christmas music for this 5-piece band! Featuring: Me (@deanedwardthiessen ) . piano @bellafedrigo28 . bass @tylerrossmurray . drums @ thomas houlden . trumpet @johnnicholsonsaxophone . flute & soprano sax

‘Stranger Friends Orchestra Live at the Fox Cabaret’ has been out for nearly 6 months! Those have been 6 very busy months and trying to keep on top of release social media schedule is just too much for lil’ ol me. So here is a little ear snack of my tune Someone Told Me. I love writing for these amazing people and I wish we could do big band stuff all the time! One can dream! 💛💛💛 If you want to catch @suinpark.music and @saxomahphone INCREDIBLE solos on this tune you can listen to it streaming everywhere. 🥳 #bigband #jazz #newmusic #jazzimprovisation #jazzcomposer #bigbandjazz

NEW SHOW ALERT!!!! Vince Guaraldi's music for various Peanuts films and TV projects has been captivating audiences for almost 60 years, and we're excited to be bringing you a rare opportunity to hear this music live at the VIFF Centre on December 20, as performed by the Dean Thiessen Peanuts 5-Tet! Featuring some of Dean's long-time musical collaborators, this special performance will be followed by a screening of the 1969 classic, Boy Named Charlie Brown! This performance is open to the entire family, and we're expecting it to sell out quickly! Ticket link in bio. #infidelsjazz