History

Hermann’s Jazz Club began 40 years ago, on February 25, 1981, at the Bastion Inn on Government St, when German entrepreneur Hermann Nieweler [Knee-well-er] was persuaded by his friend Barry Stubbs to book Al Pease Trio (Al Pease, Toni Blodgett and Ross Botten) to bring a "better class of people" to the lounge. Then they brought up the Friday Harbor’s Island City Jazz Band for a weekend performance at his hotel lounge. Performances by Dixieland Express soon followed, and they moved the show up to the mezzanine and dance floor. Hermann’s love for a good party, lively music and happy patrons led to his establishment of the Dixieland Inn at the hotel.

Hermann moved the club to the current View Street location in 1986 when it was renamed “Hermann’s Jazz Club”. In 2000, our 753 View St location suffered heavy damage from a fire. A testament to his commitment, Hermann rebuilt at great personal expense. Our friend Hermann passed on June 10th, 2015. From 2015 to 2019 his family faced many issues but have remained dedicated to their father's legacy. After running a successful fundraising campaign the non-profit Arts On View Society has taken over as of July 15th 2019. We will continue to operate Hermann's as a community spirited venue with the support of the venue's generous patrons.

Many nationally and internationally acclaimed acts have graced our stage over the years. Longtime local bands continue to play at the club, including CanUS, Dixieland Express, the Tom Vickery Trio and local legend/reedman Al Pease . Multiple generations of musicians interact and perform at this local institution and contribute to its role as an incubator of local talent. These musicians have travelled the world and helped to put Victoria on the national and international music map, while helping attract renowned local transplants such as David Vest from the USA, Michael Kaeshammer from Germany and Pablo Cardenas from Cuba. With world class acoustics, a relaxed atmosphere, and top notch cuisine, Hermann's Jazz Club is a landmark in the world of modern live performance.



View Past Events by Month

Recent Events

Mar
17
2024

Daniel Lapp's St. Patrick's Day Celebration | 2PM Matinee

West Coast KITCHEN PARTY PERFORMERS: MAIREAD O'BRIEN'S IRISH DANCERS | 29 YE...
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM doors at 1:00 PM $40 Including fees/tax, walk-ins welcome
Student tickets — $20 all in (1/2 price) at the door. Please email [email protected] so we can hold a ticket. *student card necessary.

Mar
17
2024

Daniel Lapp's St. Patrick's Day Celebration | 7:30pm show

Livestream + In Person
West Coast KITCHEN PARTY PERFORMERS: MAIREAD O'BRIEN'S IRISH DANCERS | 29 YE...
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM doors at 6:00 PM $40 Including fees/tax, walk-ins welcome
Student tickets — $20 all in (1/2 price) at the door. Please email [email protected] so we can hold a ticket. *student card necessary.

Mar
16
2024

David Vest

Livestream + In Person
It's a Jump Blues Party with multiple Maple Blues Award winner David Vest!
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM doors at 5:30 PM $25 + fees/tax, walk-ins welcome

Mar
15
2024

Rowan Farintosh | Guitar Band

Livestream + In Person
Introducing a captivating ensemble led by saxophonist Rowan Farintosh, featuring...
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM doors at 5:30 PM $20 plus fees/tax, walk-ins welcome

Mar
14
2024

HOW TO JAZZ

JAN RANDALL has been teaching jazz history courses at UVic for the last 10 years...
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM doors at 5:30 PM $15 including fees/tax, walk-ins welcome
This is an entertaining lecture with live demonstration of jazz principles for the general public.

Mar
13
2024

UVIC Café Scientifique | Bacteria: What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger

Livestream + In Person
Microbes are an inescapable part of life on Earth. They are literally all around...
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM doors at 5:30 PM free

Mar
10
2024

Great American Song Book Trio

Livestream + In Person
Three of the finest interpreters of melody, story and song unite to explore and ...
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM doors at 12:00 PM $20 plus fees/tax, walk-ins welcome

Mar
9
2024

Attila Fias Quartet presents: The New Jazz Standards

Livestream + In Person
Attila Fias and his dynamic quartet will explore beloved classic rock, pop and R...
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM doors at 5:30 PM $30 plus tax/fees, walk-ins welcome
Attila Fias is a Hungarian-born, Toronto-raised platinum-selling pianist and composer.

Mar
8
2024

Canadian Beauty Presents: Gilded Palace - A Gram Parsons Tribute

Livestream + In Person
For over 25 years, Victoria's Canadian Beauty has been paying tribute to seminal...
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM doors at 5:30 PM $25 plus fees/tax, walk-ins welcome

Mar
7
2024

Sunset Swing: Vocal Jazz and Swingin' B3 Organ Quartet

Livestream + In Person
Like the beautiful orange sunsets that transform day to night, the Sunset Swing ...
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM doors at 5:30 PM $25 plus fees/tax, walk-ins welcome

Mar
6
2024

UVic Café Historique | A Brief History of Humanity in Ten Foods

A Brief History of Humanity in Ten Foods | Presented by Dr. Rachel Hope Cleves ...
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM doors at 5:30 PM In Person $5 at the door, for livestream (donation of $5) email [email protected] - you will be sent a link

Mar
3
2024

CanUS Traditional Jazz Matinee

Livestream + In Person
The musicians are well known to the fans of New Orleans jazz as they share the l...
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM doors at 12:00 PM $20 + fees/tax, walk-ins welcome

Mar
2
2024

The Pretzel Logic Orchestra playing the music of Steely Dan

What happens when you get some of Victoria’s finest jazz players, mix them wit...
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM doors at 5:30 PM $30 + fees/tax
We are at capacity for this event

Mar
1
2024

Ashley Wey and the Blue Lights

Livestream + In Person
Ashley Wey is a multi-award winning singer songwriter and pianist who lights up ...
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM doors at 5:30 PM $25 plus fees/tax, walk-ins welcome

Feb
29
2024

The Smokestacks

Livestream + In Person
A six piece blues band bringing in a collection of old blues standards, soul and...
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM doors at 5:30 PM $15 plus fees/tax, walk-ins welcome

Feb
28
2024

U-JAM Club Night

The open mic welcomes all, vocalists and instrumentalists, to join with our U-JA...
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM doors at 5:30 PM $15.00 non members/ $10 U-JAM members & student

Feb
25
2024

Island Big Band

Livestream + In Person
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM doors at 5:30 PM $20.00 plus fee/tax, walk-ins welcome

Feb
24
2024

Pablo Cardenas Presents “Gershwin in Havana”

Livestream + In Person
World class Cuban pianist Pablo Cardenas is back to perform the best of Gershwin...
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM doors at 5:30 PM $30 plus fees/tax, walk-ins welcome
We will be celebrating Hermann's Jazz Club's 43rd anniversary with a short ceremony during this special jazz show.

Feb
23
2024

Brandon Isaak and the Mood Swings

Livestream + In Person
2024 maple blues award nominee Album of the year Male vocalist of the year ...
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM doors at 5:30 PM $25 plus fees/tax, walk-ins welcome
2024 Juno Award Nominee (Best Blues Album)

Feb
22
2024

Cory Weeds Meets Champian Fulton | Every Now And Then

Livestream + In Person
Champian Fulton is considered one of the most gifted pure Jazz musicians of her ...
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM doors at 5:30 PM $25 plus fees/tax, walk-ins welcome