The festival grew out of a local jazz scene that centred on Vancouver Co-op Radio (
CFRO-FM), a community radio station, in the early 1980s. The Pacific Jazz and Blues Association was formed in 1984 and hosted the Pacific Jazz and Blues Festival, which showcased regional jazz and blues artists in addition to some international jazz musicians. The inaugural festival was held in 1985, featuring primarily local artists. By 1986, the group had changed its name to the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society, secured corporate sponsorship, and partnered with
Expo 86 to produce the first annual Vancouver International Jazz Festival. The inaugural festival included performances by
Miles Davis,
Wynton Marsalis,
Bobby McFerrin,
Tito Puente,
Tony Williams,
Albert Collins, and
John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers. For many years,
TD Canada Trust was a title sponsor of the festival, during which it was known as the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival. In 2024, TD Canada Trust discontinued its sponsorship of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, as well as its sponsorship of many jazz festivals across
Canada, including the
Toronto Jazz Festival, and
Ottawa Jazz Festival. ==Sounds of Youth Stage==