The 2025 TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival kicked off with two nights of fresh music and vibrant energy in the Exchange District. From international headliners to local talents, the first two days delivered memorable performances that honoured jazz’s rich legacy while injecting contemporary flair.

The festival’s grand opening at Burton Cummings Theatre featured an exhilarating trio: banjo legend Béla Fleck, Colombian harpist Edmar Castañeda, and Grammy-winning drummer Antonio Sánchez. The unconventional instrumentation—banjo, harp, and drums—defied expectations, blending bluegrass, harp resonance, and Latin-jazz rhythms into cohesive, exploratory soundscapes. Critics and audiences noted how the harp replaced bass lines, while Sánchez’s responsive drumming propelled the group into thrilling territory.

Will Bonness’s tribute to Oscar Peterson at the Fort Garry Hotel’s Club Room delivered a heartfelt, swinging take on one of Canada’s most celebrated jazz pianists. In a cozy, sold‑out evening slot, Bonness commanded the stage with passion and precision. The performance was structured as a single 8‑tune set, interspersing tempos from reflective ballads to high-energy swingers. He opened with “Night Train,” instantly evoking Peterson’s flair, and navigated effortlessly through classics like “Cool Walk” and “Hymn to Freedom.” Bonness’s fingers danced across the keys with virtuosic elegance, honouring Peterson’s technical prowess while infusing each piece with his expressive nuance. His classical training shone in delicate passages, but it was the deep swing feel—Peterson’s hallmark—that truly stole the show.

Accompanied by longtime bassist Julian Bradford and dynamic drummer Fabio Ragnelli, the trio maintained tight interplay throughout. Bradford’s warm, supportive bass lines grounded the melodies, while Ragnelli’s crisp, responsive drumming propelled the set forward, especially in up-tempo numbers where his energy was electric.

At The Cube, with the arrival of CEC + No Fuss, the tempo shifted to neo-soul richness. This collaboration among Winnipeg’s neo-soul icons—Cec and No Fuss—delivered lush harmonies, introspective lyrics, and tight grooves. Tracks from their How Should I (Love You) set and soulful improvisations provided an ideal soundtrack for a midsummer evening. As the sun dipped, Kimmortal lit up the stage. This Polaris–nominated hip-hop artist fused spoken-word, rap, and powerful social commentary. Their performance was electric—sharp verses, commanding presence, and a raw connection with the audience. Spectators responded with cheers and applause, clearly moved by the message. Closing out the night were Toronto’s disco-funk powerhouses, The Free Label. With basslines that got bodies moving, bright horn flashes, and contagious beats, they turned Old Market Square into a dance party. The energy peaked as festival-goers danced under patio lights, wrapping up Night 1 on an euphoric high.

Madeleine Peyroux’s Desautels Concert Hall performance offered a mesmerizing evening of jazz, blues, and folk, with opener Erin Propp setting the stage for a deeply engaging concert.

Erin Propp’s warm, nuanced vocals and precise phrasing made her a perfect introduction. Delivering a suite of jazz standards and heartfelt originals, she drew in the audience with intimate storytelling and a rich tone that filled the hall with anticipation. As Winnipeg’s acclaimed jazz vocalist, she set a high bar without ever overshadowing the evening’s headliner.

When Peyroux emerged, her honeyed croon and understated elegance immediately captured attention. Throughout the evening, she delivered a thoughtful selection of songs from her latest album Let’s Walk, weaving in timeless covers with fresh originals. Highlights included the title track’s uplifting message and the poignant “Find True Love,” both delivered with soulful clarity and emotional depth. The stripped-down band allowed her voice to shine, each lyric imbued with intimacy and quiet strength, perfectly suited to the concert hall’s acoustic finesse.

If the first two nights are any indication, this 2025 festival is on track to be one of the most dynamic editions yet. With bold debuts, local shout-outs, and a flourishing communal spirit at Old Market Square, the first two days set a high bar for the remainder of the festival. The balance of international virtuosos and Winnipeg champions promises an exhilarating journey through the heart of jazz.

The Cube in Old Market Square continued as a vibrant live-music hub, delivering an unforgettable night of genre-bending performances rooted in jazz, pop-funk, and world-class improvisation. The eclectic roster, featuring Mari Padeanu, Flora Luna, Shuffle Demons, and Trio Bembe X Ego Spank, brought diversity and dynamism to Winnipeg’s summer soundscape.

Ottawa-based pop-funk vocalist Mari Padeanu kicked off the night with soulful confidence. Backed by tight grooves and rhythmic flair, her set featured punchy originals and high-energy arrangements that drew early crowds into the beer garden. Padeanu’s silky voice, supported by syncopated bass and crisp percussion, turned an ordinary summer evening into a toe-tapping feast of funk. Next, Flora Luna delivered an introspective alternative-pop jazz-crossover. Her melodic songwriting and heartfelt storytelling resonated under the open sky. Accompanied by airy guitar and keys, Luna’s gentle rhythms and vocals created a soothing counterpoint—a mellower yet compelling phase in the evening’s evolving mood. 

As twilight fell, Toronto’s Shuffle Demons injected high-octane energy with their signature jazz-funk fusion. Known for their crowd-pleasing saxophones and grooving rhythm section, they had the audience moving with upbeat songs and improvisational flair. Their punchy horn hooks and dynamic stage presence created an infectious dance atmosphere that ignited Old Market Square. Closing the night, Trio Bembe X Ego Spank, a special collaboration of local heavyweights, took The Cube to a different stratosphere. Blending Afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz improvisation, and a compelling funk edge, their late-night set was a rhythmic marvel. Intricate percussion and syncopated basslines laid the foundation for spirited solos, bringing a vibrant, immersive finale to a rich musical evening.

The Cube delivered a vibrant, boundary-spanning celebration of jazz and beyond. With genre diversity, polished performances, and an audience fully immersed in the sound, it showcased why the Winnipeg Jazz Festival remains a must‑see event. This night’s lineup struck the perfect balance between intimate songwriting and infectious dance grooves, delivering a dynamic musical journey under the Winnipeg sky.