Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
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    • WJEC Summer Jazz Camp | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
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      • CD Details - Connections -East Meets West | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
      • CD Details - Tidal Currents -East Meets West | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
      • CD Details - Voices | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
      • CD Details - Twisting Ways | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
      • CD Details - Suite 150 | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
      • CD Details - Suite Messiah | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
      • CD Details - Steppin’ Out | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
    • Musician CDS | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra >
      • Bjorn Thoroddsen
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    • Contact Us | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
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    • News | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
  • Ways to Donate
    • DONATE
    • Sponsorships
    • Your Time: Volunteer
    • Advertise with us
  • Concerts
    • Complete 2025-2026 season
    • Serie Estivale De Concerts Au CCFM | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
    • St. James Infirmary Blues | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
    • 2025-26 Ticket options | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
  • Education
    • WJEC Summer Jazz Camp | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
    • Pre-concert performances | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
    • Canadian Jazz Composers Workshop
    • Big Band Workshops
    • Play-along charts
    • Jazz Skills Videos
    • Community Jazz Bands
  • Recordings
    • WJO CDS | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra >
      • CD Details - Connections -East Meets West | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
      • CD Details - Tidal Currents -East Meets West | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
      • CD Details - Voices | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
      • CD Details - Twisting Ways | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
      • CD Details - Suite 150 | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
      • CD Details - Suite Messiah | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
      • CD Details - Steppin’ Out | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
    • Musician CDS | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra >
      • Bjorn Thoroddsen
      • Jeff Presslaff
      • Richard Gillis
  • About
    • Contact Us | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
    • Who We Are | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
    • Board of Directors | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
    • News | Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
  • Ways to Donate
    • DONATE
    • Sponsorships
    • Your Time: Volunteer
    • Advertise with us

Saxes
 I'd rather somebody punch me in the face
than drop my sax.

                                                              Clarence Clemons

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NEIL WATSON is a long-time fixture in the local music scene an alto saxophonist who is fresh off the release of his critically acclaimed debut CD, Move! Watson studied in New York with Gary Bartz, Miguel Zenon and Sherman Irby, developing a sound critics hail as vibrant and emotive. He is a member of the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, Marco Castillo and Brazilian Beats, Combo Latino, Moses Mayes and the Keith Price Quintet. Determined to bring groove back to jazz, Watson’s all-star group featuring Will Bonness (piano), Julian Bradford (bass) and Curtis Nowosad (drums) alongside turntablist DJ RPG seamlessly blend jazz and hip-hop into a set of can’t miss music.

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SEAN IRVINE is a Woodwind Specialist who has developed a reputation as a well versed Performer, Composer, and Educator. Over the past nine years, Irvine's experience has featured him as a Freelance musician in a number of recorded and live settings as a multi-genre instrumentalist. Irvine is a regular member of the Winnipeg Jazz Collective and has collaborated with of the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, U of M Jazz Orchestra, Catfish Brass Band, and Big Dig Band amongst other collectives. Irvine completed a Masters in Jazz Performance and Composition at Brandon University and is currently a student at the University of Manitoba completing a Post Bachelor's Diploma as an understudy to saxophonist and composer Jon Gordon.

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GREG GATIEN is an Associate Professor at Brandon University in Manitoba, where he a member of the jazz faculty and currently chairs the Applied Department. Teaching saxophone, improvisation, jazz history, and directing ensembles, Greg is an active educator and maintains a busy schedule adjudicating festivals and giving master classes. Also an active and accomplished performer, Greg has played with many icons of the jazz tradition, includingKenny Wheeler, Benny Carter, Joe Henderson, and Bob Brookmeyer. He has been featured on numerous recordings and radio broadcasts in both Canada and the US, including DeanMcNeill’s Prairie Fire,the Art Pepper Plus 11 project, and the Re-Birth of the Cool project. Greg is also a frequent collaborator with renowned American pianist and composer John Harmon, performing with him in Canada and the United States. Greg has been a regular member of the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra since 2002, getting to perform with many of Manitoba’s finest jazz musicians and a myriad of national and international jazz figures.


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JEFF COOPER currently holds the Lead Alto, Big Band Director position within the Royal Canadian Air Force Band. Originally from Victoria BC, Jeff relocated to Winnipeg in 2003 to
pursue a full time career in the Canadian Forces Music Branch. In 2006 Jeff was called upon to perform with the WJO, a position he eagerly accepted. Depending on the concert, Jeff can be heard on Tenor, Baritone or Alto sax; dedicated to the section he is always willing to step up with an emotionally charged solo. Jeff recognizes the unique and somewhat rare artist opportunity that is the WJO and is proud to be a contributor.

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KEN GOLD is originally from Montreal and has been active in the Winnipeg music community for almost 30 years. He has enjoyed being a longtime member of some of this city’s finest musical groups including The Ron Paley Band, Papa Mambo, The Winnipeg JazzOrchestra and the Ron Halldorson/ Ken Gold Duo. Over the years Ken has performed, toured and recorded with many local and international groups and entertainers such as the WSO, Tito Puente, The Temptations, Paquito D’Rivera, Josh Groban, Remy Shand, Finjan, Wayne Newton, The Moscow Circus, Bob Newhart, Novilerro, Dugas, and many more. He is currently teaching music at College Jeanne-Sauvé. Ken has a long association with teaching in Manitoba both in institutions (University of Manitoba) and as a private instructor and clinician.

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PAUL BALCAIN has amassed an impressive resume over the past 25 years. With multiple recording credits under his belt, including Moses Mayes, Lucas Sader (featuring Derrick Gardner), Scott Nolan, JUNO nominated The Wyrd Sisters, Mark Reeves, one-hit wonder pop band LEN, and the WJO, his genre palate is broad.
In addition to the aforementioned, Paul has performed/ toured with groups such as LOAD (which opened for The Watchmen, Big Sugar), the Chai Folk Ensemble, Stripper’s Union Local 519 (Rob Baker of The Tragically Hip fame), Ron Paley Big Band, Soni Geraci (the Outsiders and Climax), Belushi Estate Blues Brothers Band, and as a featured soloist to jazz icon Dee Dee Bridgewater with the WSO.
His own groups have been featured at the Jazz Winnipeg Festival, notably, opening for George Garzone, where Paul had Branford Marsalis Quartet drummer Henri Cole in his band for the occasion.

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The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra is Generously Funded by:

Funding assistance provided by the Manitoba government. Aide financière accordée par le gouvernement du Manitoba.
Logo of the Winnipeg Arts Council
Logo of the Winnipeg Foundation
Logo of the Manitoba Arts Council
Logo for FACTOR: The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings
Logo of the Canada Council for the Arts
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
Logo for the SOCAN Foundation

Education Sponsors:

Logo of Long & McQuade Musical Instruments
Logo of Jazz Winnipeg
Logo of the Desautels Faculty of Music, U of M
Logo of the Manitoba Band Association
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The Play-Along App project is supported by the Government of Canada’s Healthy Communities Initiative.
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We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.
Nous reconnaissons l'appui financier du gouvernement du Canada. 

Concert Sponsors:
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Logo of the Assiniboine Credit Union

Hotel Sponsor: 

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Radio Sponsors
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logo of Nostalgia Radio, 93.7 CJNU

Special Event Supporters
Logo of Neil Bardal Funeral Centre
Logo of Frontera Wines

Supporters
Logo of Jonathan's Farm Food Share
Logo of McNally Robison Booksellers

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]