Tri-City transit commuters will soon be swooned by the sounds of live musicians this summer.
Two years after the COVID-19 pandemic put the initiative on hold, TransLink is set to bring back its buskers program to entertain SkyTrain riders — including those that make their way through Coquitlam Central station.
And professional, award-winning musicians are also getting in on the makeshift stage as well.
In fact, more than 25 local performing artists are set to rock the Coquitlam platform throughout the summer starting as early as May 30.
"This is all part of our commitment to continually improving the customer experience," says TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn in a news release today (May 16), noting the program was first introduced in 1986 for the World's Fair in Vancouver.
"In addition to getting you to your destination safely and conveniently, we want to bring some fun to your commute."
Coquitlam Central is one of five stations that'll feature a live musician between now and October.
2019 Western Canadian Music jazz artist of the year Jodi Proznick is headlining the first evening of entertainment, alongside James Danderfer and Tilden Webb.
The Port Coquitlam bassist, composer and producer has also been nominated for two JUNOs in her career (2009 and 2019), and nearly cleaned house at the 2008 National Jazz Awards (bassist, album and acoustic group of the year).
She's played with the likes of Michael Bublé, George Coleman, Sheila Jordan and David “Fathead” Newman, and currently chairs the jazz department at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music.
Proznick is scheduled to perform on May 30, 5 to 7 p.m. at Coquitlam Central Station.
Meanwhile, Indigenous blues pianist Murray Porter is the next scheduled performer at the same station from 5 to 7 p.m. on June 22.
For more information, you can visit TransLink's website.
Interested local musicians looking to join the licensed buskers program is also encouraged to go to the authority's website.
