2010 TD WINNIPEG INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL - JUNE 25 TO JULY 4!
Featuring Sonny Rollins, Roy Hargrove, Terence Blanchard, The Roots, Nikki Yanofsky, Martha Wainwright and more!
An outstanding slate of artists is set to perform at the 2010 TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival. From June 25 to July 4, downtown Winnipeg will come alive for 10 days of exceptional live music featuring the best local, national and international artists in music today. The festival kicks off with a preview show on June 23 with jazz legend Sonny Rollins.
The Theatre Series boasts an exceptional line-up of acts in 2010 with two mainstage venues: Pantages Playhouse Theatre and the West End Cultural Centre (WECC).
THEATRE SERIES AT PANTAGES PLAYHOUSE THEATRE
On June 26, jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove brings his fantastic quintet to the main stage. This vibrant group includes Justin Robinson on saxophone and flute, Jonathan Batiste on piano, Montez Coleman on drums, and Ameen Saleem on bass. Young lion Christian Scott opens the night with his own quintet.
On June 27, singer Martha Wainwright comes to town in support of her new project, Sans Fusils, Ni Souliers, ‡ Paris: Martha Wainwrightís Piaf Record. Opening the show are JosÈ James and Jef Neve, in town to promote their new Impulse! release, For All We Know.
On June 28, in what is sure to be regarded as a programming coup, legendary hip hop group The Roots come to town while on a one week hiatus from their duties as the house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
On June 30, acclaimed American trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard joins the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra for ìJazz in Filmî -- a celebration of film scores from the 1950s to the present including Blanchardís own work as a film composer.
Finally, on July 4, the Theatre Series wraps up with a performance by rising star Nikki Yanofsky, hot on the heels of her self-titled debut recording for Decca Records.
THEATRE SERIES AT THE WEST END CULTURAL CENTRE
A unique double-bill kicks off the series featuring New York vocalist / guitarist Raul MidÛn and soulful singer Toshi Reagon at the West End Cultural Centre on June 25.
Critically-acclaimed pianist Bill Charlap is joined by his wife (and Canadian ex-pat) Renee Rosnes for an intimate duo piano concert at the WECC on June 28. Charlap and Rosnes are releasing a new album for Blue Note Records, Double Portrait.
On July 1, Montreal diva Ranee Lee performs at the WECC with her quintet. Lee is still enjoying the afterglow of winning a Juno Award earlier this week for her record, Ranee Lee Lives Upstairs.
Earlier this year, Jazz Winnipeg announced that jazz giant Sonny Rollins will perform a festival preview concert on June 23 at Pantages Playhouse Theatre. Rollins will go down in history as not only the single most enduring tenor saxophonist of the bebop and hard bop era, but also the greatest contemporary jazz saxophonist of them all.
A performance by Great Lake Swimmers was also announced earlier this year. Sales for their June 29 show at the WECC have been so strong that a second performance has been added on June 30.
ìMy mantra for audiences this year is ëCome for the music you know and stay for the music you donít know,íî says Paul Nolin, Executive Producer of the festival. ìIím on a mission to persuade Winnipeggers to embrace opportunities to check out some of the great performers we have coming in from all over the world.î
Musical exploration is easier than ever for Winnipeg music fans. Club Passes and Wristbands make it simple for audiences to move from club to club on any night during the Club Series at the festival. Or, even before the event, jazzwinnipeg.com is chock-full of write-ups, streaming audio and video clips of festival artists.
CLUB SERIES
The Club Series features an amazing and diverse line-up of local and visiting artists in downtown venues including the Rachel Browne Theatre, Aqua Books, The Pyramid Cabaret, Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club, Kingís Head Pub, and Le Garage CafÈ.
The Rachel Browne Theatre and Aqua Books feature late night jazz sets by the likes of trumpeter Christian Scott, JosÈ James and Jef Neve, Marco Benevento Trio, Terry Clarke Trio (who also won a Juno Award earlier this week) and scores of Winnipegís top jazz talent.
At The Pyramid Cabaret, some of today's hippest young acts are set to perform, including Freeway and Jake One, Buck 65, Think About Life, Bonjay, Deerhoof, Sugar and Gold, The Budos Band, and Kid Koala Presents The Slew Live.
The festival will also host outstanding blues and roots acts live at The Kingís Head Pub and Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club. The line-up includes Lilí Ed and The Blues Imperials, Moreland and Arbuckle, Cedric Burnside and Lightniní Malcolm, Little Miss Higgins, and Sue Foley and Peter Karp with their new project, He SaidóShe Said.
FREE CONCERTS
Building on a commitment to present free programming, the festival features a new Free Concert Series in Old Market Square. In addition to the very popular lunch hour concerts, the series features free concerts during the opening weekend between 7 pm and 10 pm. Performers at the Free Concert Series include AndrÈ Leroux, Jeanne Rochette, Torontoís Amanda Martinez and much more.
The TD Jazz Labs, are a series of free workshops led by festival artists covering a wide range of musical perspectives. Starting with a session led by blues artists Sue Foley and Peter Karp, the series continues with pianist Marco Benevento, Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes, drummer Terry Clarke, and singer Ranee Lee.
The festival culminates with the hugely popular Wrap-up Weekend in Old Market Square on a brand new stage. Thousands of music fans are expected in The Exchange District July 2-4 for three days of FREE music. Performers for the weekend include Amanda Martinez, Opensouls, Papa Mambo, and Moses Mayes.
This year, Jazz Winnipeg is thrilled to welcome TD as the new Title Sponsor of the festival. A valued community partner since 2003, TD has increased their commitment through to 2014, helping to ensure the future success of the annual festival.
JAZZWINNIPEG.COM
The official website is the hub for festival information, featuring bios, a complete schedule, a blog, streaming audio and up-to-the minute news.
ABOUT JAZZ WINNIPEG
Jazz Winnipeg is a non-profit organization promoting the art of jazz through concert presentations and community outreach. As producers of the annual jazz festival, as well as concerts and workshops throughout the year, Jazz Winnipeg is a vibrant and essential organization, dedicated to the enrichment of Winnipeg's cultural community.
Tickets for the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival go on sale Friday, April 30 at jazzwinnipeg.com and at the Jazz Winnipeg office at 007-100 Arthur Street. Tickets for all Pantages shows are also available at Ticketmaster.
Tickets for Sonny Rollins and Great Lake Swimmersí June 29 show are on sale now.
Jazz Winnipeg gratefully acknowledges the support of its generous community partners including TD, Pitney Bowes, Great-West Life, CBC Radio 2, the Fairmont Winnipeg, St. Johnís Music, The Winnipeg Foundation, the Winnipeg Free Press, Heineken, Cisco Systems, Epic Information Solutions, Manitoba Lotteries, Tetro Design, MTS Allstream, Mars Hill Group, Shaw TV, Maxim Truck & Trailer, The Richardson Foundation, The Prolific Group, Uptown Magazine, McNally Robinson Booksellers, the Exchange District BIZ, Piston Ring Service, 101.5 UMFM, CKUW 95.9, Industry Images, Manitoba Homecoming 2010, Manitoba Film & Music, Winnipeg Parking Authority, the Winnipeg Arts Council, the City of Winnipeg, Winnipeg Cultural Capital of Canada 2010, Manitoba Culture, Heritage & Tourism, and the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Free Wrap-up Weekend
Once again we'll be closing out the festival with a free three-day wrap-up party at Old Market Square! Food, drinks and amazing local, national and international acts on the brand-new "cube" stage! Come party with us!
FRIDAY, JULY 2
6:00 pm – NAFRO BAND
7:20 pm – TRIO BEMBE
8:40 pm – MARCO CASTILLO AND BRAZILIAN BEATS
10:10 pm – AMANDA MARTINEZ
11:45 pm – PAPA MAMBO
SATURDAY, JULY 3
3:00 pm – JAMES STRUTHERS
4:20 pm – HEIÐA FORSYTH
5:40 pm – FLO
7:00 pm – ISKWÉ
8:35 pm – THE SOLUTIONS
10:10 pm – THE RETRO RHYTHM REVIEW
11:45 pm – OPENSOULS
SUNDAY, JULY 4
3:00 pm – SWUNK
4:20 pm – PAUL METCALFE
5:50 pm – JESSEE HAVEY AND THE QUIRKS
7:20 pm – ISKWÉ
8:55 pm – OPENSOULS
10:30 pm – MOSES MAYES
Photos from The Roots - June 28 at Pantages Playhouse Theatre
Pictures from the first weekend of the 2010 TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival
The Slew Makes the Polaris Prize Long List!
Congratulations to upcoming TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival performers The Slew, who made the long list for this year's Polaris Prize! They were nonminatef for their amazing 2009 release 100%.
The Polaris Music Prize is a music award annually given to the best full-length Canadian Album based on artistic merit, regardless of genre, sales, or record label. The award was established in 2006 and includes a C$20,000 cash prize.
The Slew performs on July 1 at the Pyramid Cabaret.
Buck 65 DVD, First of Five EPs Out Now!
To celebrate 20 years as a "rap weirdo and international romantic," Buck 65 will be releasing one four-song EP a month over the next five months.
Entitled 20 Odd Years, Volume 1 of the series was released this week. It features collaborations with east coast hip hop legend Jorun, Nick Thorburn of Islands, Neil Osbourne of 54-40 and a Leonard Cohen cover featuring Jenn Grant. Volume 1, as well as all subsequent volumes, can be bought on iTunes.
Buck 65 has also released a companion full-length DVD, entitled The Lost Tapes. Check out the trailer below:
Don't miss Buck 65, along with the Lytics, June 26 at the Pyramid Cabaret.
Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes - Double Portrait Out Now!
Husband and wife piano-duo, Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes released their brand-new CD, entitled Double Portrait, yesterday on Blue Note Records.
The record has already received some great reviews, including this one from yesterday's Globe and Mail:
"Both are exceptional players, matching flawless technique with
effortless lyricism, and their playing intermingles beautifully, with
one phrase sparking another and ideas bouncing from soloist to
accompanist and back"
Read the full review HERE
And CLICK HERE to listen to the record!
Be sure to catch Bill and Renee when they play the West End Cultural Centre on June 28 as a part of this year's festival!
Nikki Yanofsky
Only 16, Canadian vocalist Nikki Yanofsky has just released brand-new debut record, Nikki. Most Canadian know Nikki from her smash hit "I Believe," The 2010 Olympic Winter Games Theme song. That single sold 150,000 digital singles, making Yanofsky the youngest Canadian artist in history to go triple platinum.
What many people don't know is that she was raised a jazz signer, and is often compared to greats like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald for her powerful voice and scatting ability.
Watch a 14-year old Nikki sing Holiday's "God Bless The Child."
Nikki performs at the Pantages Playhouse Theatre on July 4.
Get familiar with Moreland & Arbuckle
Guitarist Aaron Moreland and harpist/vocalist Dustin Arbuckle have spent nearly a decade exploring the edges of American roots music. In the process – with help from the driving beat of drummer Brad Horner – Moreland & Arbuckle have forged a relentless and haunting sound that merges Delta blues, folk, rock, traditional country, and soul.
If you are not familiar with Wichita's Moreland & Arbuckle, be sure to check out this great video!
Moreland & Arbuckle play the King's Head Pub on Sunday, June 27 and Monday, June 28.
