Jazz at the Fort Garry Hotel
presented by Jazz Winnipeg
Upcoming shows
Please note that for this season of Jazz at the Fort Garry Hotel, online advance tickets are $20 + Showpass fees (total $22.14) or $25 at the door, if available.
Jazz at the Fort Garry HOTEL is located in The Club Room on the lower level of The Fort Garry Hotel. The venue is wheelchair accessible with assistance.
please inform the hotel's front desk staff if you'd like to use the elevator to access the lower level.
Winnipeg Jazz Collective
Sunday, September 14 at 7 pm
The Winnipeg Jazz Collective is a group dedicated to performing music that is contemporary, creative, and Canadian. The majority of the music Winnipeg Jazz Collective performs has been composed and arranged for this group by members of the ensemble or written by Canadians such as Rob McConnell, Daniel Jamieson, and Andy Ballentyne. Their performances feature top notch improvisation, interesting and diverse compositions, and music you won’t hear anywhere else.
The members of the WJC include Kyle Wedlake, Derek Frykas, and Monica Jones on saxophones; Andrew Littleford and Matt Walden on Trumpet; Joel Green and Bill Green on Trombone; Alanna Fast on piano; Julian Bradford on bass; and Graydon Cramer on drums. This “Jazz at the Fort Garry” performance will feature Jon Challoner on trumpet.
'Brazil Before Bossa' with Amber Epp & Emmanuel Bach
Sunday, September 21 at 7 pm
'Brazil Before Bossa' celebrates the rich sounds that shaped Brazilian music before the bossa nova era of the late 1950s. Featuring Brazilian guitarist Emmanuel Bach and Canadian vocalist Amber Epp, this presentation reveals the musical journey that led to the global popularity of bossa nova through the work of Antonio Carlos Jobim and "The Girl from Ipanema."
This concert takes audiences through four key musical periods that influenced Brazilian music:
- The foundational choro period with composer Pixinguinha, who blended traditional choro music with modern jazz and Afro-Brazilian rhythms
- The samba era influenced by President Getúlio Vargas's “Estado Novo” (New State) nationalism, which promoted Brazilian culture while limiting foreign influences
- The samba canção movement during the golden age of radio, highlighted by crooners like Dick Farney, often called the Brazilian Frank Sinatra
- The rise of bossa nova, featuring the iconic “Girl from Ipanema”
Audiences will hear traces of Jobim’s brilliance in these melodies and discover that the essence of bossa nova thrived long before it gained worldwide recognition. These rhythms and harmonies form the basis of one of the world’s most loved genres.
Emmanuel Bach brings authenticity as a native Brazilian with over twenty years of professional experience. He has collaborated with Brazilian legends like Ivan Lins, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, and Filó Machado. Alongside Amber Epp, who excels in Latin jazz and performs fluently in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, they make a great team for this multilingual musical journey. Their work in "Música Brasileira" for the 2025 TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival has shown their knack for creating deep and rich explorations of Brazilian music, going beyond bossa nova and samba to reveal the full range of the country's musical heritage.
Rosemarie Todaschuk + Friends
Sunday, September 28 at 7 pm
Rosemarie Todaschuk + Friends can’t wait to share an unforgettable evening of music with you.
When Rosemarie steps into the spotlight, her velvety voice and captivating presence infuse the room with energy and soul. With a repertoire that weaves together jazz standards, Latin rhythms, funk, blues, and popular favorites, she brings an adventurous spirit to every song that speaks to her heart.
Rosemarie is thrilled to be performing at The Club in the historic and charming Fort Garry Hotel. She’s joined by a stellar cast of musicians: Richard Boughton on piano, Nenad Zdjelar on upright bass, Ed Hilliard on percussion, Janice Finlay on saxophones, and gifted crooner George Druxman. Their collaboration unites fresh interpretations of timeless duets and beloved gems from the Great American Songbook.
Aaron Shorr
Sunday, October 5 at 7 pm
Aaron Shorr started playing guitar as a young teenager, and developed an interest in jazz through his grandmother’s record collection. He studied at Humber College in Toronto, the University of Manitoba, and privately with international jazz icons like Jonathan Kreisberg, Miles Okazaki, and Bruce Forman. He has performed with William Bonness, Caity Gyorgy, Jon McCasslin, and with Winnipeg's Rainbow Stage, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Aaron also sits as musical director for Still Crazy: The Music of Paul Simon. In 2023 Aaron released his debut album Omand’s Creek (self released). Now living in Calgary, he maintains a busy schedule of performing and teaching.
We're thrilled to welcome Aaron back to Winnipeg for this special performance featuring bassist Karl Kohut and drummer Josh Bonneteau.
The Galloway Cade Big Band
Sunday, October 19 at 7 pm
The Galloway Cade Big Band is an innovative project co-led by saxophonist Niall Cade - recently returned from an extended stay in New York Cit - and bassist Rosemary Galloway - a recent emigre from Toronto, where she pursued a professional career for many years. Finding a common interest in composing for big band, Niall and Rosemary created a 'reading band' project in early 2023 for the purposes of reading new music and encouraging local composers to create music for big band. Featuring an ambitious repertoire of all original arrangements, the 17-piece ensemble is one of the most exciting musical endeavours to surface from the Winnipeg jazz scene in recent years.
Rosemary Galloway is a jazz bassist, composer and band leader relocated to Winnipeg from Toronto in 2019. Her career credits include engagements with internationally recognized musicians such as Clark Terry and Jay McShann, and Canadian artists including Jim Galloway, Terry Clarke, Ingrid Jensen and Pat LaBarbera. She has composed for and recorded with her own groups The Swing Sisters, Velvet Glove, The Jane Fair/ Rosemary Galloway Quintet, and with Jim Galloway’s Wee Big Band. Her most recent CD as leader “Live at the Montreal Bistro”, features original compositions with The Rosemary Galloway Quartet.
Niall Cade recently moved back to his hometown of Winnipeg in 2021 after living in New York City for six years. While abroad, Niall performed with such jazz luminaries as the Philip Harper Quintet, the Quincy Davis Quintet, the Big Jimmy Greene Band, the Kenny Carr Group, the Steven Feifke Quartet, and Bobby Sanabria’s Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra. Niall has performed at several internationally renowned jazz venues including Smalls Jazz Club, Mezzrow, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Jazz at Kitano, the 55 Bar, the Jazz Gallery, and the Bar Next Door. In 2019, Niall was a semifinalist in the inaugural Michael Brecker International Jazz Saxophone Competition, travelling to Israel as a part of the Red Sea Jazz Festival.
Swing de mes rêves
Sunday, October 26 at 7 pm
Join Swing de mes rêves as brothers Lindsey, Quintin, and Andy Bart delve deep into the music of legendary Jazz Manouche guitarist Django Reinhardt. From burning hot swing to groovy boleros, they approach the iconic tunes with a joyful spirit and an authentic sound of two guitars and violin. Winnipeg’s local legend Daniel Koulack adds driving string bass to complete the quartet.
Steady Groovin' - Tribute to John Scofield
Sunday, November 2 at 7 pm
A special project initiated by guitarist Mike Swickis, Steady Groovin’ - Tribute to John Scofield celebrates the legendary guitarist and composer known for his work in jazz, fusion, funk, blues, soul and rock. Joined onstage by Egospank (bassist Gilles Fournier, keyboardist Marc Arnould, and drummer Daniel Roy), the show features material from Scofield's solo work as well as his collaborations with groups like Medeski Martin & Wood and The Überjam Band.
Mike Swickis has performed around the world as both a sideman and a bandleader and has released several solo recordings. He is a contributor to Guitar Player Magazine, where he has published lessons and articles on artists such as John Scofield, Carl Verheyen, and Oz Noy. Blending his rock roots with formal jazz training, Mike’s style is both energetic and original. He holds a Master’s degree in Jazz Performance from McGill University and has performed locally with the Ron Paley Band, Walle Larsson, the Big City All Star Band, and with Ego Spank in the Jeff Beck Tribute Show.