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."
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.
