Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra

Assembling 26 of the city’s finest jazz-oriented improvisers and composers in various formations, the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra’s 25th anniversary session collates 10 arrangements which reflect the varied heritage of the Prairie city and beyond. The tunes range from non-member John Stretch’s three-part reflection on his Ukrainian Canadian heritage to briefer explorations of Métis, Native Canadian and diaspora cultures, which manage to be profound, celebratory and danceable all at once.

This is a musical, not an anthropological program however, so the band elaborations project the messages through a notable collection of carefully modulated section work as well as distinctive trumpet, trombone and saxophone solos, and most prominently, the attendant playing of pianist Will Bonness. Bonness’ output encompasses exploratory clanks and clinks, responsive swing, formalized glissandi and player-piano-like riffs depending on the circumstances. Moving from mellow trumpet portamento and muted reed vibrations Stretch’s “The Parallel Steppes” integrates canon-like instrumental interplay, limited chorale-like vocal murmuring and, in its second and third iterations, ups the tempo with chortling saxes, plunger brass and a swing groove, creating sequences mid-way between Prairie hoedowns and Carpathian dances.

With breaks for percussion rumbles, contrapuntal horn vamps and brief string section interjections, the Richard Gillis-conducted band concentrates on layered harmonies and decisive crescendos. Throughout the rest of the disc interludes referencing African dance parties, South American folk songs and Native-Canadian spiritualism mix with hard core jazz. Musically effective, Voices – A Musical Heritage, could definitely also provide the warmth needed to endure Winnipeg’s sub-zero winter weather.

–Ken Waxman
–for MusicWorks Summer 2023