BU Jazz Festival brings world-class guest artists to Brandon stages

The Brandon University (BU) Jazz Festival returns this month, bringing internationally acclaimed artists and thousands of students to the stages of BU and the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium (WMCA).

The annual celebration will take place from March 12 to 14, highlighted by showcase concerts on Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13 at the WMCA.

Among this year’s performers is Queen Cora Coleman, known globally for her dynamic drumming and stage presence. A Grammy award nominee, Coleman’s credits include more than five years drumming with Prince and three years as a drummer and bandleader with Beyoncé. She has performed during Super Bowl halftime shows with both artists and is the leader of the Queen Cora Orchestra.

“Each year, the BU Jazz Festival brings such energy and creativity to our School of Music and to the community,” said Leanne Zacharias, Acting Dean of Music at BU. “Our faculty do an incredible job of planning a dynamic schedule of educational workshops and public performances, giving us the opportunity to see live jazz by world-class musicians right here in Brandon.”

The showcase concerts at the WMCA will feature the Brandon University Big Band, under the direction of Diogo Peixoto. Joining them on Thursday will be guests including Coleman and JUNO nominated saxophonist Shirantha Beddage. On Friday, the BU Big Band will welcome respected jazz veterans Kelsey Grant, on trombone, and Gregory Groover Jr., on saxophone, to the stage, along with other guests. There will be two shows, starting at 6:30 and 9:30, on each of the two nights.

“Each year, the BU Jazz Festival brings such energy and creativity to our School of Music and to the community.”

Leanne Zacharias, Acting Dean of Music

Also on tap are concerts at the Lorne Watson Recital Hall, featuring JUNO nominated singer Erin Propp and BU jazz faculty members Luis Deniz, Marika Galea, Carter Graham and Eric Platz. These shows, which take place on March 12 at 8:30 p.m., and March 13 at 6:30 p.m., featuring performances by the BU vocal ensembles Invicta and Solluna, both under the direction of Sarah Hall.

Several free shows by BU students are also scheduled throughout the festival. For a complete list of BU Jazz Festival concerts, and to reserve tickets, visit BUJazzFest.ca/concert-tickets.

This is the fourth year the School of Music has staged the Brandon University Jazz Festival, and the event builds on the 40-year legacy of the original Brandon Jazz Festival.

Performances by prominent artists are only part of the story at the Jazz Festival. The event also gives about 100 school groups and 2,000 students the opportunity to mingle, perform and learn from experienced faculty and guest adjudicators. 

“The participation and sharing between educators and school groups is the foundation of the Jazz Festival experience,” said Aren Teerhuis, Outreach Coordinator for the School of Music. “It’s inspiring to watch the students engage with professionals who are shaping the jazz world today.”

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