Jazz Winnipeg is rolling out its tenth season of Nu Sounds, a lively series featuring Manitoba musicians venturing into new territory.

 The season opens on Sunday, January 15, with a performance by guitarist, singer, and composer Marco Castillo. With countless performances in cafés and festivals, and a couple of CDs as a leader, Marco has brought the warmth of Brazilian music to Winnipeg. In this concert, Marco returns to the music of his hero Hermeto Pascoal, father of post-bossa nova music. We’ll hear Pascoal’s music, and new work by Marco that pays homage to Pascoal’s sound.

On February 19, guitarist Keith Price gathers together a top-notch band of musicians for another lively run at contemporary pop and indie music. Keith has a proven track record for delivering the high-level artistry in the music that makes up the popular soundtrack of our time. Count on thoughtful performances of music by Alabama Shakes, Wilco, and Winnipeg’s own The Weakerthans.

The March 26 concert features Collection Get, a project fronted by singer Grace Hrabi and electronic composer Eliot Britton. Grace and Eliot started working together in Montreal in 2009, and released an electronic dance album Save As… Their new project, Swing Out!, moves into the world of syncopation and electro-swing. The show, folding in acoustic, electronic, and visual elements, and bridging jazz and electronic, human and machine, will be a bold one!

The final concert of the season, on April 23, showcases Winnipeg favourite Amber Epp and her band sharing new takes on Canadiana, as well as originals. Expect to hear familiar songs by Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, The Guess Who, and Feist, but recast in lively ways by Amber and her bandmates, Keith Price (guitar), Julian Bradford (bass), and Daniel Roa (drums). Amber is a great performer—there’ll be laughter and chatter along with great music.

The Nu Sounds concerts take place at the Park Theatre on Sunday evenings. Tickets are $15 at the door.