The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra has the honour of being the first ensemble of its kind to be created in Canada. It has been around since 1996. This Forgotten Stories Suite is its ninth album. Through elegant, richly constructed compositions, as well as sung texts (superb voice of Karly Epp) or narrated (Quinn Greene), composer Sean Irvine has woven an expressive tapestry that dares to highlight the experiences of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.
References to modern politics are mentioned. For example, in A King And His Castle:
Raised on the policies of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” the king buried these policies deep within the castle’s confines, in fear of what would come of them. From the outside in, all the people could see was his craft, his honour, his admiration..
………………
For you see, there in lies the paradox of the perfect castle. The castle will always protect those inside from the world beyond… yet, in turn, it prevents the world beyond, from those inside.
Irvine’s musical constructions are generally characterised by a rather calm energy, tinged with impressionism and an attractive, melodic atmosphere. They are thus heirs to the great scores of Bill Evans, with their panoramic breadth yet attentive to fine details and a certain emotional introspection. Only the movements Nightmare and Harold, the first and the last, are imbued with expansive and assertive energy. Two beautiful constructions, however very different, the first more urgent, the other lyrical and easy.
A pioneer in its field, the WJO maintains a pace of high quality and lasting relevance.
Forgotten Stories :
Wisdom is a gift shared by those around us.
How often we forget that every person carries their own unique story.
Stories that inspire compassion, depth, thoughtfulness.
…
These stories must be shared.
These stories are the forgotten stories of those people…
Personnel
Sean Irvine – Composer, Poetry and Lyrics, Alto Sax, Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Soprano Sax
Quinn Greene – Spoken Word
Karly Epp – Vocals
Neil Watson – Soprano Sax, Alto Sax
Niall Cade – Tenor Sax
Monica Jones – Tenor Sax
Kyle Wedlake – Baritone Sax
Joel Green – Trombone
Jeremy Duggleby – Trombone
Karin Carlson – Trombone
Isabelle Lavoie – Bass Trombone
Shane Hicks – Trumpet
Matthew Walden – Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Andrew Littleford – Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Jon Challoner – Flugelhorn
Larry Roy – Guitar
Will Bonness – Piano, Rhodes
Karl Kohut – Upright Bass, Electric Bass
Fabio Ragnelli – Drums
