Dear Friends of Jazz,
When jazz aficionado Israel Asper dreamed up the Izzy Asper Jazz Performances 25 years ago, he wanted Winnipeggers to experience the best and brightest jazz artists right here in Winnipeg. And that’s who we personally choose for you. We’re celebrating our twenty-fifth season with three brilliant weekends at the Berney Theatre at the Rady Jewish Community Centre, and in honour of Izzy’s fondness for the New York jazz scene, one special “club date” at the Fort Garry Hotel.
Our 2023-24 season opens December 2 & 3,with the DJANGO FESTIVAL ALLSTARS, a dynamite band from France who are wrapping their North American tour at the Berney Theatre. As the Wall Street Journal puts it, “Imagine a stage filled with five contemporary Reinhardt descendants, and you’ll get a sense that the collective talent pool on the bandstand is larger than the Arc de Triomphe!” Knowing how electrifying this concert will be, we’ve added a Sunday night show to this season opener!
On March 16 & 17, we welcome the CANADIAN JAZZ COLLECTIVE, one of the hottest new bands on the circuit. Co-led by saxophonist Kirk MacDonald, guitarist Lorne Lofsky, and the Izzy Asper Jazz Performance’s Artistic Advisor Derrick Gardner, this septet packed European clubs, including London’s famed Ronnie Scott’s, in spring of 2022, culminating in their first studio recording, Septology.
For all of you who love a great jazz singer, our season closes May 4 & 5, with the powerhouse TAMMY McCANN QUARTET. Based in Chicago, McCann melds classical technique, a gospel aesthetic, and a knack for making her lyrics come to life. This is your chance to hear “a voice that soars in all registers, at all tempos, on all occasions…a voice that inspires wonder!” (Chicago Tribune)
You may purchase single tickets to any of these concerts, but we hope you’ll consider a subscription to all three concerts at the Berney Theatre. A subscription offers you the best value, and your seats are reserved.
VIEW IZZY ASPER JAZZ PERFORMANCES BROCHURE
Our special club date is Sunday, April 14, when we present “A LITTLE SONDHEIM” featuring Winnipeg singer Zachary Rushing. Sondheim is widely acknowledged as the most innovative, most influential and most important composer and lyricist in modern Broadway history. He has been a powerful creative force for Zachary Rushing, who will pay homage in the new jazz club on the lower level of the Fort Garry Hotel. It feels a lot like an upscale New York club, one of Izzy Asper’s favourite places to be.
Tickets will be released for “A Little Sondheim” early in 2024.
For all Izzy Asper Jazz Performances inquiries, Contact:
Shira Newman
Coordinator of Arts and Older Adults Programming
204.477.7534
snewman@radyjcc.com