Joyce Moreno at Vancouver Jazz Festival

“One of the best singers of all time,” says bossa nova’s godfather.

Arguably the most keenly anticipated annual music event in the city, the Vancouver International Jazz Festival officially launches its 30th edition today (June 18). The focal point of the day’s programming is a series of free outdoor performances at the Georgia Stage, at Hornby and West Georgia streets (behind the Vancouver Art Gallery). Local mainstays Ian Shaw (saxophone) and Sharon Minemoto (keyboards) feature in the Material Culture Project, appearing at 5pm; followed at 7:30pm by fellow Vancouverites Tanga, which combines diverse influences including salsa, electronica, and hip-hop.International heavyweights from the world of jazz—and, in keeping with the fest’s increasing eclecticism, the worlds of rock, world music, R&B, and more—begin taking to the city’s stages Friday. Blues legend Buddy Guy is the night’s marquee name, but we highly recommend you not pass up the opportunity to witness a rare appearance from Brazilian singer-songwriter legend Joyce Moreno. Moreno—who for decades recorded simply as Joyce—has been making music since the late 1960s, but only made her Vancouver debut at the 2010 fest, where she played two sold-out sets at Performance Works. Bossa nova pioneer Antonio Carlos Jobim long ago called her “one of the best singers of all time”—and at age 67 she continues to prop up the accolade, complementing her mellifluous voice with guitar playing that places her in league with her homeland’s greats. Hear her 1980 masterpiece, Feminina, here, then get your tickets here. Joyce MorenoFriday, June 19Doors 7pm; show 8pmTickets $38.25-$50 from Ticketfly.com