Meet the Band!

Rhythm
Rhythm is something you either have or don't have,
but when you have it, you have it all over.
Elvis Presley

WILL BONNESS (piano) is a highly sought after pianist on the Winnipeg jazz scene. Currently
Assistant Professor of Jazz Piano at the Desautels Faculty of Music, Bonness started his professional
career right out of high school touring with the late Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band. Since leaving the band, Will has gone on to become a staple on the Winnipeg music scene in several genres. In addition to his teaching and solo work, he performs regularly with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, and many other groups.

GILLES FOURNIER’S versatility on 4, 5 and 6 string electric basses, string bass, his skills and
sharp-eared adventurous musicianship positions him as one of the most in demand musicians
locally and abroad. He is extremely fluent in most languages of music from world beat to jazz and has worked as a professionally for over 30 years as a performer, band leader, composer, producer and educator. He has performed and/or recorded with jazz greats such as Clarke Terry, Arturo Sandoval, Tito Puente, Bud Shank, Denzal Sinclaire, Eddie Henderson, Kenny Wheeler, Bobby Hutcherson, Peter Appleyard, Marvin"Smitty"Smith, Terri-Lynne Carrington, Bucky Pizzarilli, Kevin Eubanks, Attila Zoller, Christian Escoude,Paquito D’Rivera, Phil Nimmons , Steve Coleman, Stanley Cowell, Rob McConnel and PJ Perry to name a few. In addition to leading his own distinctive Sextet and funk/R&B band Ego Spank, he has performed and recorded with diverse local groups and talents such as The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, Glenn Buhr, Dry Bones, Papa Mambo, Marco Castillo and among countless others. Gilles has gained notoriety in the symphonic
music world, having participated in the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra's New Music Festival.

ROB SIWIK For over 25 years, drummer Rob has been an active participant in Winnipeg's jazz community. Over that time, he has played with many of the city's finest including Ron Paley, Knut Haugsoen, Larry Roy, Walle Larsson and The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra. Rob has also had the opportunity to perform at jazz festivals in Montreal, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Vancouver as well as tour across Canada and the U.S. in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's production of A Cinderella Story. Highlights of Rob's career also include sharing the stage with jazz legends Frank Foster, Bob Brookmeyer, Bill Watrous, and Clark Terry

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.

Education Sponsors:

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

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.
Nous reconnaissons l'appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.

Concert Sponsors:

Hotel Sponsor:

Radio Sponsors

Special Event Supporters

Supporters

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.

- Please refrain from wearing any fragrances or scented products as other patrons are allergic to them.
- Your likeness may be captured at this event. Attending this event implies your permission for your image to be used in marketing or promotional purposes.
- Please do not attend if you do not feel well. Call the box office at 204-632-5299 to arrange to go to another concert.

Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra / Box 68114, RPO Osborne Village, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3L 2V9
Main: 204-421-9398 / [email protected] Box Office: 204-632-5299 / [email protected]

RhythmRhythm is something you either have or don't have,but when you have it, you have it all over. Elvis Presley

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The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra is Generously Funded by:

Education Sponsors:

Rhythm
Rhythm is something you either have or don't have,
but when you have it, you have it all over.
Elvis Presley