The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra is the only community-based professional jazz orchestra in Canada; its equal can be found in only a handful of major U.S. cities.

Dr. Richard Gillis and Sasha Boychouk founded the WJO in 1997, inspired by a vision of forming a professional big band with the best emerging and veteran musicians in Winnipeg. Commissioning new works and working with students and young musicians is an integral part of the WJO vision. Today, the orchestra roster boasts 18 to 25 musicians whose combined resumes touch every corner of performance jazz locally, nationally, and around the world.

Thank you for making our 11th season such a remarkable success! Tickets for the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra's 2008/2009 season, Steppin' Out, are on sale now!

Curtis Fuller, who was scheduled to perform with the band on November 2, has been moved to March 15, 2009 due to an unavoidable schedule conflict. The jazz legend double-booked himself when he agreed to a weeklong stint with a reunited Jazztet - a hard bop group that achieved notoriety in the 1960's - that, unfortunately, clashed with his scheduled appearance with the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra.

The WJO will present Far East of the Blues - The Genius of Duke Ellington on Sunday, November 2 at the Winnipeg Art Gallery featuring guest director FRED STRIDE and a rare performance of Ellington's Far East Suite. Fred Stride is a composer and band leader, and one of Canada's foremost experts on the music of Duke Ellington. Called by some as the greatest composer of the 20th century, Duke Ellington wrote countless pieces that have become classics in jazz literature; gems that have withstood the test of time. The WJO will perform The Far East Suite alongside other Duke Ellington favourites on November 2 at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Purchase your tickets today!

Single tickets already purchased for either the November 2 or March 15 shows will be honoured despite the date change.

For full concert details, visit the calendar page, and purchase your tickets under the Tickets window, or by calling (204) 632-5299.

AVAILABLE NOW!!

The WJO's brand new CD, Steppin' Out. Purchase your copy today.

Flip for Jazz April 21, 2009

Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra Corporate Sponsors

  • Richardson Partners Financial Limited
  • Russel