Every year, the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival offers a series of free Jazz Labs where anybody interested in this music can take in some behind-the-scenes conversation about what goes into this music.

Tuesday, June 20 – Gabriel Palatchi is a young Argentinian pianist who is putting a fresh spin on Latin jazz. His influences, from Afro-Cuban to klezmer, tango to funk, team up with virtuosic technique for a high-octane experience.

(Other performances: June 20, noon & 9:00pm, Old Market Square)

Wednesday, June 21 – Jimmy Greene is a world-class jazz saxophonist, and after living here for several years here, an honourary member of Winnipeg’s jazz community. This is an opportunity to hear a natural teacher at work.

(Other performances: June 21, 7:30pm & 10:00pm, Rachel Browne Theatre)

Thursday, June 22 – Nomadic Massive is a multi-lingual Montreal hip hop band with overtones of reggae, funk, and world, and a mix of live and sampled sounds. It’s a brave new world, and Nomadic Massive is spreading the news.

(Other performance: June 22, 10:30pm, Good Will Social Club)

Friday, June 23 – Warren Wolf is one of the leading vibraphonists on the jazz scene, and a musician who roots deeply in history but also borrows comfortably from other contemporary genres, keeping his sound current and relevant.

(Other performance: June 23, 10:00pm, Rachel Browne Theatre)

Saturday, June 24 – Manitoba Music comes to the table for the first time to offer a workshop called “Your Jazz Career.” If you are (or know) an aspiring jazz musician, this session is for you!

Jazz Labs are free, and they take place at 5:30pm in the Rachel Browne Theatre. They’re a perfect resource for musicians at all experience levels, but often have rich insights for non-musicians as well.