Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra – East Meets West: Connections

Connections is a suite for large orchestra in nine movements written almost equally by Montrealer Jean-Nicolas Trottier and Vancouver’s Fred Stride (with a slight advantage for Trottier, with five compositions). The ‘connective’ symbolism is activated because the city of Winnipeg is situated almost exactly between its two big sisters. What’s more, the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, founded in 1997 (long before Montreal’s ONJ), has as one of its missions to provide opportunities for pan-Canadian musical encounters between the country’s finest musicians.

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The meeting tangibly offers some fine instrumental opportunities for the ensemble, with passages of powerful, elegant brass chorales and beautiful woodwind flights. Trottier’s tribute to his runaway cat, “The Great Return,” opens the door to some rather delightful lines for the baritone sax, avatar of the big grey tomcat. Plenty of details will please music lovers, even if Trottier has been bolder in harmonic terms. Perhaps a little cautious and polite (some would say very Canadian), but the finely-cut writing, the contrasting textures and the luminous recording make for a prolonged listening experience that lasts. All in all, a fine release that demonstrates the quality of our national jazz.