2009 GROOVE-FM JAZZ WINNIPEG FESTIVAL
ON NOW!
June 26, 2009
Fans of jazz, blues, soul, hip hop, garage-rock or gypsy klezmer will all find reasons to smile when the 2009 Groove-FM Jazz Winnipeg Festival officially launches tonight at several downtown theatres and clubs. Featuring over 100 performances on over a dozen stages, the festival runs until July 5th.
Celebrating its 20th year, the Jazz Winnipeg Festival begins this evening with a performance by the Branford Marsalis Quartet at the Pantages Playhouse Theatre. Saxophonist Marsalis, who performed at the second Jazz Winnipeg Festival back in 1991, will kick off the Groove-FM Theatre Series, the marquee series of the festival.
Meanwhile, the Club Series promises a diverse musical experience for concert-goers with some of today's brightest international and local artists. Mali's Vieux Farka Touré (son of Ali Farka Touré) performs his own brand of "kokoboro (black African, in his native dialect) rock" at the always popular Pyramid Cabaret. Also on Friday, Mississippi-born bluesman Magic Slim and his band the Teardrops hit the stage for the first of a three day stint at the King's Head Pub. Fans of the blues can also catch two Friday night performances by soulful Ndidi Onukwulu at Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club.
Friday night also sees the launch of a brand new festival venue, Le Garage Café. Located a block from the foot of the Provencher Bridge, the restaurant/bar will feature trumpeter Miron Raflajovic and his quintet, as well as local favourites Larry Roy and Steve Kirby. Back in the heart of the Exchange District, The Rachel Browne Theatre will be transformed into a lounge, complete with cabaret-style seating and bar, to host Winnipeg singers Helen White and Jodie Borle.
The Theatre Series continues on Saturday with a near sell-out performance by Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy. That same night, internet buzz-band Keys N Krates makes its Winnipeg debut at the Pyramid Cabaret, while east coast blues singer Matt Andersen takes the stage at Times Change(d).
The TD Canada Trust Jazz Labs, presented by Xerox, also starts its run on Saturday. The 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 Germany's Monk's Casino, the series will also include workshops by slide guitarist Samuel James and piano player John Stetch. Canadian jazz legends The Shuffle Demons will also visit the lab as well as saxophonist Jean-Christophe Béney.
The festival doesn't rest on Sunday, with concerts at The Rachel Browne Theatre by Ron Paley and Dejan Raflajovic, and at Le Garage Cafe with the Brandi Disterheft Sextet and bassist Steve Hamilton.
We are happy to announce Sunday will also see the Jazz Winnipeg Festival set up shop at the West End Cultural Centre. The newly-expanded venue will feature an afternoon concert by the Manitoba High School Honour Band with featured guest Brandi Disterheft, followed by an evening performance by Polaris Prize nominee Jill Barber. Meanwhile, the Pyramid will be invaded by the debaucherous garage rock duo King Khan and BBQ Show, and Times Change(d) welcomes Portland's delta blues master Samuel James.
Sunday's highlight will undoubtedly be a can't-miss performance by Juno-winning saxophonist Jane Bunnett and her Embracing Voices project. Joined on the McPhillips Street Station stage by a 10-piece Cuban choir and her Spirits of Havana band, Jane's concert will be an unforgettable cap-off to the first weekend of this year's Groove-FM Jazz Winnipeg Festival.
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