Jazz In Winnipeg

The first jazz bands to play in Canada were often from the US. In his autobiography, Chicago bandleader Eddie Condon refers to a stop in Winnipeg in 1922. In the Winter of 1923, Hollis Peavey’s Jazz Bandits from New York played at Winnipeg’s Roseland Ballroom. Around 1949, regular functions were held at the Roseland Dance Gardens at Kennedy and Portage. The hall would hold 800 people, who enjoyed music by the likes of Jimmy King and John Frosk (Doc Severinsen’s lead trumpeter). There were popular Sunday night concerts at the Playhouse and Dominion Theatres, with a silver collection admitting the faithful.

In the 50s came Jack’s Place (Marsh Phimister) and the Highwayman (Charles Mezzone) on Pembina Highway; as well as the Cave, the Ranch Don Carlos, Royal Alexander Hotel, and Club Morocco. The Stage Door on Fort Street was run by Jack Shapiro, the secretary of the musician’s local. The local was spawning ground for artists such Mary Nelson, Lenny Breau, Ron Halldoeson, Reg Kelln, Phil Nimmons, Bernie Senesky, Dave Shaw and Bob Erlandson. Later, the Jazz-A-Go-Go, on Edmonton Ellice featured people like Mike Lewis and guests such as Moe Koffman and Peter Appleyard. But the lack of liquor licensing meant the demise of some of the clubs.

Duke Ellington and his Orchestra performed here in October 1953 at the Civic Auditorium. The Harmonicats (“Peg O” My Heart, Harbour Lights”) and the Gaylords (“Tell Me You’re Mine”) opened the show. Ellington played here again in March 1970, a sacred presentation at the Centennial Concert Hall.

One must not forget the extremely popular moonlight train rides to Winnipeg Beach in the 1950s, where the best of dancing and listening was just a choo-choo away.

The 70s gave birth to such clubs as the Big “A” Carousel sessions on Saturday afternoons, and the charterhouse, Brittany inn, Norwood, Royal Albert Arms and the Ting Tea Room, some of which didn’t survive the decade. The Jazzmobile arrived at the Winnipeg Art Gallery for a week of clinics and concerts mixed in with the festivals.

In 1973, the Winnipeg Jazz Society was formed. The society hosted discussions and record exchanges by aficionados who majored in listening, not playing, and has sponsored several concerts over the year. Their newsletter “passing Tones” is circulated worldwide.

Neal Kimelman’s Jazz Riddell series, produced through the University of Winnipeg, has probably done more than anything to promote the art form in the last decade. The series presented scores of international artists including Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, Jean Luc Ponty, and Michel Petrucciani. Jazz on the rooftop at the Winnipeg Art Gallery was derived in the process, allowing some of the city’s younger artists to showcase their talents – people such as Ron Paley, Walle Larson, Michael Soloway, Greg Lowe, Merilyn Lerner, Mike Joyce, Rick Boughton, Jan Finlay, and Kerry Kulnerto name a few.

The Future of Jazz in Winnipeg, and the quality of tomorrow’s hometown jazz musicians lies largely with today’s high school Jazz Programs. Music teachers at both the junior and senior high levels are complementing their concert bands with jazz band programs; there is also a strong voice program in many schools. Students have been involved in the National Jazz Festival since 1977. Bands from Silver Heights, Tech Voc, and Fort Richmond Collegiate have all been awarded the Festival’s “Best Band” in past years. The festival is Now Called MusicFest CANADA, and the 1990 competition was held in Winnipeg.

The Professional Musicians College, which opened in 1989 offers instruction in everything from theory and reading to Jazz, fusion, and Latin styles and sees itself as a stepping stone for high school students who wish to play Jazz professionally. “The emphasis is on versatility”, says College Administrator Linda Mckenzie, “and we are fortunate to have some of Winnipeg’s most qualified and talented Jazz players as instructors.

The emphasis is on versatility, and we are fortunate to have some of Winnipeg’s most qualified and talented jazz players as instructors

Linda Mckenzie – The Professional Musicians College Aministrator

While jas has gone in and out of mainstream popularity, there has always been and always will be a core of hardcore fans. A group with varied tastes, Winnipeg’s Jazz community have enjoyed concerts by giants such as Woody Herman, Pat Metheny, Oscar Peterson, Gary Burton, Ella Fitzgerald, Buddy de Franco, Mingus Dynasty, Al Cohn, Cleo Laine, George Shearing, Mel Torme, Stan Kenton, Tony Bennet and Sarah Vaughan.

Written By: Ray Alexander