[1] 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.

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.

Many Vancouver jazz artists have also performed at the festival including Brad Turner, Jodi Proznick, Laila Biali, John Stetch, Cory Weeds, Vince Mai, Bill Coon, Oliver Gannon, Daniel Hersog, Steve Kaldestad, and Alan Matheson.

Over 1,000 volunteers help in producing the event, which includes performances in parks, community centres, concert halls, clubs, public plazas, and in streets of various neighbourhoods.