RICHARD GILLIS - Artistic Director

Since coming to Winnipeg in 1990, Richard has performed as a recitalist with a variety of groups including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Music Baroque, Groundswell, Papa Mambo, the Ron Paley Big Band, the Winnipeg Wind Ensemble (which he also conducted) several brass quintets, and with a number of small Jazz groups and individuals. Richard has recorded four CD’s with Icelandic guitarist, Björn Thoroddsen with whom he has performed in Iceland, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Washington, DC, Minneapolis, Toronto and Edmonton. Performances include recordings for radio and television, Jazz Festival performances, and the IAJE (International Association for Jazz Education) conference. In October 2006 they performed at the Lincoln Centre in New York.

In 1997 Richard and saxophonist Sasha Boychuk founded the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra. With Dr. Richard Gillis as the Artistic Director, the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra has become an established part of Winnipeg’s Jazz music scene.

GREG GATIEN

Greg is Brandon University's first full-time jazz appointment, where he teaches saxophone, jazz history and pedagogy, small jazz ensembles, jazz theory and improvisation. A graduate of the Jazz and Contemporary Media program at Eastman School of Music, Greg is currently completing his doctorate at Boston's New England Conservatory. He has studied with many master teachers: Ramon Ricker, Fred Sturm, Michael Cain, Ralph Alessi, Jerry Bergonzi, Allan Chase, and Bob Brookmeyer and has appeared in concert with Benny Carter, Joe Henderson, Benny Golson, Kenny Wheeler, Mike Murley, Jack DeJohnette, Maria Schneider, Kenny Werner, Jerry Granelli, and Bob Brookmeyer. Active as an educator, clinician, and scholar, his current research explores the nature of musical influence within the jazz tradition, the nature of improvisation, the musical contributions of jazz saxophonists Cannonball Adderley, Charlie Parker, and Sonny Rollins, and jazz ensemble rehearsing and conducting.

NEIL WATSON

Neil Watson, "a bright young player who (wears) his heart on his sleeve along with his talent" (Chris Smith, Winnipeg Free Press), has been an active performer on the Winnipeg music scene for the better part of fifteen years. He graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in saxophone performance and began to hone his jazz skills by studying with Sasha Boychouk in Winnipeg and Mike Murley in Toronto. In 2004, he returned to the UofM to pursue a Master's Degree and study with bassist Steve Kirby. During this time, he made numerous trips to New York to work with various musicians and absorb the city’s rich jazz scene. While there, he studied with legendary alto saxophonist Gary Bartz, Miguel Zenon (with whom he has forged a close friendship), Wessell "Warmdaddy" Anderson, and Sherman Irby among others. Neil graduated with his Master's Degree in jazz performance in the spring of 2006 and performs regularly with numerous groups in and around the city.

CHUCK McCLELLAND

Chuck began his professional career at the age of 13. In the early 90's he emerged on the Winnipeg scene with The Richard Moody Band. Since then he has performed worldwide, making a stop in Toronto to further his music studies. While there he received the Duke Ellington award for jazz arranging from Humber College and studied with numerous musicians - most notably Pat LaBarbera and Mike Murley. Chuck has played with many local ensembles including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Rainbow Stage, the Ron Paley Big Band, Steve Kirby's Jazz on Wheels, Saxology, and is a board member of the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra (WJO).

SHANE NESTRUCK

Shane has played professionally in Montreal, Toronto and Winnipeg, and has toured and performed with his saxophone quartets all over Manitoba, Canada, the United States, Korea and France. His quartet experience started as Baritone Saxophonist with the Danovitch Quartet in the 60's, and continued as leader with the Montreal Sax Quartet in the 70's, the Winnipeg Sax Quartet in the 80's, and now Saxology Canada. As leader of Saxology Canada he commissioned Concerto for Sax Quartet & Orchestra by Sid Robinovitch which was premiered with the Saskatoon Symphony was later performed and recorded with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Presently he is a free lance musician residing in Winnipeg and often touring with musicals such as, Chicago, South Pacific, and Forever Swing.

KEN GOLD

Winnipeg based saxophonist Ken Gold stays busy with a variety of playing, recording, and teaching activities. He is a regular member with some of Winnipeg's finest ensembles including the Ron Paley Big Band, the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, Papa Mambo, the Roy/Kramer band and the Dave Lawton Society Band. Recent activities have included film soundtrack recording for composer Glenn Buhr, as well as new CDs with Papa Mambo and the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra. In 2002, Ken served as musical director for "Manitoba Night" at the COOL Jazz Winnipeg Festival, producing a special project: "Jazz with Strings". Over the years, Ken has had the opportunity to work with many wonderful groups and musicians from both near and far such as Swing Soniq, Finjan, The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Louie Bellson, Bob Brookmeyer, Tito Puente, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Dianna Schurr, Bill Watrous and John Faddis.

BRAD RITSON

After receiving his bachelor of music in performance and an advanced certificate in performance from the University of Toronto, Brad won a position with the Air Command Band, where he currently serves as principal trombonist and a featured soloist. His strong classical background has led to performances with numerous symphonies across Canada, including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Since joining the Winnipeg music and jazz scene, he has become a member of the WJO, and the Ron Paley Big Band.

D'ARCY MCLEAN

A committed musician and educator, D'Arcy received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan. D’Arcy also studied in Toronto with jazz musicians Pat Labarbara and Don Johnson. Currently a teacher in Lac du Bonnet, D’Arcy finds time to travel to Winnipeg to perform with local ensembles such as the Ron Paley Big Band and the WJO. His work with these groups has allowed him the opportunity to appear with artists such as Louie Bellson, Bill Watrous, Bob Brookmeyer, Frank Foster, Guido Basso, and Rob McConnell, among others.

JEFF PRESSLAFF

Jeff was born in Manhattan and educated at Princeton and Wesleyan universities. He has worked with such well-known musicians as Benny Carter, Bill Barron, Ed Blackwell, Rosewell Rudd, Rick Margitza and Stanley Jordan, and has taught in the music faculties at Bard College, Union College, SUNY Albany and Princeton University. His work has been featured on several recordings on the free-improv Inter/Play label and on albums by Boston singer/songwriter Arthur Nasson and Swedish singer Elisabeth Gerle. In 1991, Jeff recorded an album of original compositions entitled "Collective Unconsciousness" which featured saxophonist Cornelius Bumpus and bassist Wilbo Wright. Since moving to Canada, his writing and playing have been featured on recordings by Ken Gold, The University of Manitoba Jazz Ensemble, and vocalist Prudence Johnson. Jeff produced the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra's debut recording, released in 2004, which also featured several of his compositions.

JEFF JOHNSON

Jeff is Director of Music Education at Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School. He holds both Music and Education degrees from the University of Manitoba, and performs as both a freelance musician and lead trumpet player with both the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra and the Ron Paley Big Band. He has performed with the likes of Arturo Sandoval, Bill Watrous, Frank Foster, Louis Bellson, Guido Basso and Bob Brookmeyer. Jeff is an active clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator and a former member of the Jazz Faculty at IMC-International Music Camp. Locally, he is responsible for initiating and coordinating the annual MBA-Manitoba Band Association's Junior Band Summer Workshop in Selkirk. He is a member of the MBA and the International Association of Jazz Educators.

RICK BOUGHTON

Rick is known on the Winnipeg Jazz scene as both a marvelously talented pianist, and one of the city's brightest stars on flugelhorn and trumpet. As a composer, producer and arranger of jazz, swing and pop music, Rick's music has had national exposure on radio and television. He has performed with Holly Cole, the Temptations and Jennifer Hanson, and played both trumpet and piano with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. His own compositions have been recorded by such artists as: Walle Larsson, Marcie Campbell, The University of Manitoba Jazz Band, and The Kerry Kluner Big Band with Paquito d'Rivera. Campbell, The University of Manitoba Jazz Band, and The Kerry Kluner Big Band with Paquito d'Rivera.

GILLES FOURNIER

Gilles' versatility on 4, 5 and 6 string electric and acoustic basses positions him as one of the most in demand musicians in Winnipeg. His formal studies at St. Francis Xavier University were augmented with lessons from Dave Young, Michel Donato, Charles Fambrough and Victor Wooten. Gilles' performance and recording credits include international collaborations with jazz greats Clarke Terry, Arturo Sandoval, Kevin Eubanks, Phil Nimmons and Stanley Cowell, and hometown talents Marilyn Lerner, Jennifer Hanson, Greg Lowe, and Walle Larsson. In the pop music realm he has supported artists such as The Wyrd Sisters, Scrüj McDuhk, Steve Bell, Jake Chenier, Al Simmons and Fred Penner.

MICHELLE GRÉGOIRE

Pianist and composer Michelle Grégoire has emerged as one of the more significant jazz talents in Canada since the release of her debut disc Reaching. Praised for the sophisticated elegance of her compositions the CD received critical acclaim in Canada, the US and Europe, making top 10 lists on radio stations throughout North America. In 2006, Grégoire successfully toured Canada with her quintet and was featured at the Montréal International Jazz Festival where her group was nominated for the Grand Prix de Jazz and Galaxie Étoile awards. In March 2007 her trio premiered Grégoire's new composition, "The Gratitude Suite," commissioned by CBC Radio, with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra.

ROB SIWIK

Rob (drums) studied music at St. Francis Xavier University, and his 20 years as a freelance musician has included performing with Ron Paley, Larry Roy, Jennifer Hanson, Knut Haugsoen, Walle Larsson, Michelle Gregoire and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, as well as jazz festivals in Montreal, Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, Saskatoon and Winnipeg. Rob also competed in the ALCAN jazz competitions in Halifax, Edmonton and Montreal. He has performed in New York City with the Knut Haugsoen Quartet and on jazz recordings by Knut, Jennifer Hanson and Jim Mair. His studio work includes TV, radio and film and Rob has also performed with such renowned jazz artists Jane Bunnett, Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Foster, Clark Terry, Bobby Hutcherson, Rob McConnell, Peter Appleyard, Dave Young, Phil Nimmons, Holly Cole and Victor Wooten.

WILL BONNESS

Will (piano) is a highly sought after pianist on the Winnipeg jazz scene. After graduating from high school, Bonness spent a year touring with the late Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band. Since leaving the band, Will has been studying at the University of Manitoba while keeping an active performance schedule. He has played with high profile jazz artists including Wycliffe Gordon and Avishai Cohen. With his impressive mastery of the piano and growing fan base, Will Bonness is well on his way to becoming a major jazz star.