The WJO 2024 - 2025 Season

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Tomson Highway laughing
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Assiniboine Credit Union logo

Tomson Highway Meets the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
featuring Tomson Highway

CONCERT IS SOLD OUT
Saturday, October 19th, 2024 | 7:30 pm  
Desautels Concert Hall (University of Manitoba)
Iconic Cree playwright, Tomson Highway, brings his wit, charm and boundless enthusiasm back home to Winnipeg as the WJO, with acclaimed Peruvian-Canadian vocalist Patricia Cano, reimagines music from his award-winning plays "The Post Mistress", "Cree County", "The Rez Sisters" and others.
Directed by Neil Watson
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Concert Sponsor: Mauro Institute for Peace & Justice at St. Paul's College
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Guest Sponsor: Assiniboine Credit Union
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Kelly Bado - hold onto your hat!


Mama Hé
featuring the music of Africa with Kelly Bado & guests from Winnipeg's African community
Sunday, November 10th, 2024 | 2:00 pm | 7:30 pm
Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain (CCFM) 
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Originally from the Côte d'Ivoire, singer Kelly Bado's music draws influence from neighbouring countries throughout Western Africa and reflects her journey to the heart of the prairies in Canada. The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra with Kelly and other guests from the River City's African community, performs her music and other songs from Africa's diverse musical landscape.
Directed by Richard  Gillis
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City of Song logo

Winnipeg Sings Along

Saturday, Nov 30, 2024 | 7:30 pm
Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)
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There must be something special in the water where the Assiniboine meets the Red because Winnipeg has produced more than its fair share of world class songwriters. From Burton to Bachman, Penner to Simmons, from Canadian Country to the Godfather of Grunge this city has shared memorable music with the world. Join the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra with special guests Al Simmons and Sol James ... and bring your singing voice!
​Directed by Neil Watson
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cartoon picture of a nutcracker

The Nutcracker, Ellington & Elf, Oh My!
special guest Quinn Greene

Thursday, December 19th, 2024 | 1:00 pm​ (no intermission) |  7:30 pm
West End Cultural Centre (WECC)
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The WJO brings you the classic Ellington version of the Nutcracker Suite! If Sugar Rum Cherries, a march of the Peanut Brittle Brigade and Danse of the Floreadores weren't enough, our second act features Buddy the Elf as he journeys from the North Pole to New York City to a very swinging' soundtrack! Featuring special guests comedian Quinn Greene and dancer Calantha Jensen, this eclectic concert will be sure to send your Christmas spirit soaring!
Curated by Quinn Greene and Richard Gillis
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Charito
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logo for Alt Hotel
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Assiniboine Credit Union logo

Cherry Blossom Dreams
featuring Charito

Saturday, February 15th, 2025 | 7:30 pm
Desautels Concert Hall (University of Manitoba)
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​This Valentine’s Day concert introduces Winnipeg audiences to the international multi-award winning Filipina jazz vocalist Charito. Her highly personal and expressive vocal style incorporating everything from straight-ahead soulful ballads to hard-swinging grooves and improvisational adventures is the perfect musical medley to fall in love to.
Come early to hear the Sisler High School Jazz Band perform at 7:00.
Stay for intermission to see and hear the traditional Filipino Rondalla string instrument ensemble perform.
​​Directed by Richard  Gillis
Hotel Sponsor: Alt Hotel
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Guest Sponsor: Assiniboine Credit Union
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Women of the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra

Women's Day Concert 4.0
featuring the WWJO - Winnipeg Women's Jazz Orchestra
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Thursday, March 6th, 2025 |7:30 pm
West End Cultural Centre (WECC)

The WJO will hold its fourth annual Women-Led Jazz Symposium and Women's Day Concert on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the West End Cultural Centre. The Women-Led Jazz Symposium offers an inspiring lineup of presenters from whom participants can listen and learn. Sessions include a celebrated keynote speaker; instrumental and vocal creativity sessions (called ‘You Can Do It!’); a jazz history session (called ‘Jazz Giants’), and more! The Women's Day Concert features the W2JO (WJO's all-female identifying version) featuring old standards and new works. The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra has a mission toward equity, diversity, and inclusion. Women have a decisive influence on jazz, and we choose to celebrate that. The future of jazz is in all of our hands! We hope to continue to grow these events and reach and inspire as many folks (players, students, and enthusiasts alike!) as possible. All are welcome! 
Directed by Alexis Silver
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SoulBear
Think Sinatra ... Except Fabulous
featuring SoulBear
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​   Saturday, April 12th, 2025 | 7:30 pm  
   Sunday, April 13th, 2025 | 2:00 pm
   Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain (CCFM)

Celebrating the legacy of jazz icon, Frank Sinatra, the orchestra features the mesmerizing vocals of Winnipeg's own heart throb, SoulBear (David Grenon). Flirty, fabulous and a little cheeky the WJO will be exploring the music of Sinatra and great artists who saw their sights in both the jazz and Pride communities.
Directed by Sean Irvine

CONCERTS ARE SOLD OUT
​More Respect!

Saturday, May 10, 2025 | 7:30 pm
Sunday, May 11, 2025 | 2:00 pm
Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain (CCFM)

If you were able to get tickets in the spring of 2023 for our Aretha Franklin tribute, you know it was an absolute hit! This year we're stepping it up to include more all-time favourites. Join us for More Respect: Divas of Rock to hear classic tunes made famous by Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Christina Aguilera and Bette Midler, as interpreted by the WJO, featuring vocalists Tammy Bargen, Lisa Bell, Charlotte Martin, and Jennifer Hanson.
The WJO's 2024/25 season continues our tradition of classic arrangements, new compositions, surprise guests, old friends, talented young instrumentalists and vocalists, and themes that we think will pique your interest!