DISCOGRAPHY

WJO CD DETAILS

TAKE 5, MARY (YOU DESERVE IT) came out of a dream where Take 5 and What Child is This were being played simultaneously. The harmonies in the bridge of Desmond’s tune match perfectly those of the traditional ballad. The rest is pure invention. CAROLING, CAROLING was originally arranged for Denzal Sinclair and takes the familiar tune at a faster tempo, and adds a few twists and turns when the band takes over.

First performed in 1742, G.F. Handel’s MESSIAH is one of the most famous works in the classical repertoire. And The Glory is sung by full chorus early in the oratorio, Sheep to Keep is a fantasy on Handel’s He shall feed His flock like a shepherd — an alto and soprano duet, and Hallelujah is the centrepiece of Handel’s work and the finale of this suite.

Suite Messiah - WJO

SUITE MESSIAH is WJO's third full album and features Juno-nominated singer Erin Propp on vocals, all arrangements by WJO's own talented musicians (Richard Gillis, Jeff Presslaff and Richard Boughton) and the title work, Suite Messiah, is WJO's own big band arrangement of three movements from Handel's Messiah. The other tunes on the album are big band arrangements of well-known and some lesser-known festive tunes.

THERE’S A TRAIN OUT FOR DREAMLAND began with the discovery of an obscure Nat King Cole recording for voice and orchestra. Such an engaging tune and lyrics transfer beautifully to the big band setting. Based on an earlier 17th Century French carol, ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH became one of England’s most famous carols. TWO SCANDINAVIAN FOLK SONGS is an original medley, which moves from an Icelandic lullaby to a Swedish hymn. This piece was written in 2008 to feature our then new pianist, Will Bonness.

Written around 1642 by Jean de Brébeuf (based on an earlier French folk song), HURON CAROL is Canada’s earliest contribution to the Christmas songbook. The joyful arrangement of one of the best-known carols, JOY TO THE WORLD, was penned for Denzal Sinclair in 2009. HYMN TO FREEDOM is one of Oscar Peterson’s most famous and heartfelt compositions. This arrangement was done as a memorial to him shortly after his passing. It’s an Ellington-style arrangement with a featured quartet of clarinet, cornet, baritone sax and trombone backed by the whole band.

The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra is Generously Funded by:

Funding assistance provided by the Manitoba government. Aide financière accordée par le gouvernement du Manitoba.

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

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The Play-Along App project is supported by the Government of Canada’s Healthy Communities Initiative.

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The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra welcomes and shares its performance and creation of music - a universal language to all people irrespective of culture, race, sexuality, ability, language and gender.

Music is an agent of hope. A dynamic and valuable device that helps us to heal and to bring us together. The First Peoples of Canada understood this and used music to reunite, resolve and reconcile. In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that WJO activities take place on Treaty Territory – land that was maintained and earnestly cared for by Indigenous peoples before European settlement. Manitoba is the original lands of Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and is the homeland of the Métis Nation. We acknowledge that Winnipeg benefits daily from Treaty 3 water that comes from Shoal Lake 40. It is with sincere sentiment that we recognize the mistakes of our recent and distant past. In working towards a Canada that benefits us all, we commit to seeking a greater understanding of Canada’s diverse cultural relationships through continued work with Indigenous communities; we commit to live in ways that honour and respect the treaties that were made on these territories; and we commit to stewarding the land in harmony for all who will come after us.

Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra / Box 68114, RPO Osborne Village, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3L 2V9
Main: 204-421-9398 / manager@winnipegjazzorchestra.com Box Office: 204-632-5299 / tickets@winnipegjazzorchestra.com

WJO CD DETAILS

Suite Messiah - WJO

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The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra is Generously Funded by:

Education Sponsors: