One of the most devastating means of communication that I have ever encountered is doublespeak. When somebody talks to you in doublespeak, they shake hands with you with one hand while simultaneously clubbing you over the head with the other. Doublespeak is talking in code. The way I see it, much of the confusion in […]

For over ten years, preparing for Smooth Sundays at the Lyric Theatre has been a big part of my spring routine. Having the privilege to bring in international world-class talent on a regular basis has been hugely inspiring for me and my band. The task of learning an entire show of new material with only […]

The Summer Jazz Camp at the University of Manitoba is right around the corner, and this year we’re extra keen because the whole crew will be consolidated in Taché Hall, the brand new Desautels Faculty of Music building. The space is great, with easily accessible rehearsal and performances spaces. (Gone are the days when we […]

Concerts, recordings, and jam sessions are all important parts of the jazz culture, but to me the jam session is the truest representation of jazz. The pure spontaneity of the music is really brought to life at a jam session, where players will walk onto the bandstand without knowing what song they’ll be playing, who […]

Bill McMahon is a fixture on the Winnipeg jazz scene, and always ready with a quick smile and a kind word. You’ve no doubt seen him at the drums, perhaps with the trio led by pianist George Reznik—they played together for over four decades! Bill is straightforward and enthusiastic, on the bandstand and off. I […]

Over many years, Carol Dweck at Stanford has studied children and their mindset as it relates to their learning. The basic idea is that children who are praised for their intelligence after successfully completing a task develop a “fixed mindset.” In other words, they come to believe that their success is a result of their […]

Oliver Nelson was a versatile arranger, composer, and saxophonist who is best known for composing the classic “Stolen Moments.” He was a hobby model railroader who made the best of many of the opportunities presented to him. In 1961, he played with Louis Jordan’s big band, followed by a stint in the Navy and four […]

There are plenty of great jazz drummers today, but only a few who have distinguished themselves from the pack and evolved truly unique styles. Ari Hoenig is undeniably one of the few. Born in 1973 in Philadelphia, Hoenig is the son of musicians and began learning piano and violin at the age of four. At […]

I discovered The Book of Embraces, by the Uruguayan writer/philosopher/artist Eduardo Galeano, in the early 1990s when it was new. It’s a curious book, a mosaic of tiny stories and musings. I loved the brevity of the pieces (most were a page, some were a glimpse), and I was captivated by the proximity of muscle […]