Zachary Rushing’s Tribute to Mel Torme at the Fort Garry Hotel Club Room on Thursday, June 19, was a refined and heartfelt tribute to the velvet-voiced “Velvet Fog”. Against a backdrop of plush furnishings and warm stage lighting, Rushing showcased his silky baritone with an effortless elegance befitting Tormé’s classic repertoire.

Rushing immediately captivated the room, his phrasing intimate and nuanced. His performance delivered with impeccable swing and a subtle modern sensibility that breathed fresh life into these timeless standards. Rushing’s accompaniment – a tasteful collaboration with his band – provided lush harmonic support without overshadowing his vocal command.

The audience, seated closely around candlelit tables, swayed gently in appreciation as Rushing’s emotive storytelling elevated each lyric. The intimate setting fostered a strong connection, making his reflections on jazz history feel both personal and universal . His closing number elicited a heartfelt response and well-deserved applause.

The Cube came alive on Thursday for a vibrant evening of contemporary jazz and fusion, featuring a lineup curated to traverse adventurous sounds and genre-blending grooves. Adam Ciric’s Invisible Forces set the stage ablaze with cinematic textures and propulsive rhythms. Ciric’s deft guitar work, intertwined with his band’s world-music inflections, created hypnotic soundscapes. The audience was drawn in by the ensemble’s tight interplay – an ideal kickoff that hinted at the sonic journeys to follow. Up next was Compost, a contemporary instrumental trio who dialed in minimalism and melodic depth. Their set fused spacious grooves with delicate improvisation, creating intimate moments amid the outdoor buzz. The trio’s chemistry brought a sense of warmth and connection, with every subtle shift in tone resonating under the summer sky.

The mood turned electrifying when New Jazz Underground hit the stage. Their set, brimming with edgy experimentation and bold harmonic explorations, was a highlight. Long soaring saxophone lines met unexpected rhythmic shifts, while electronic cues infused fresh texture, captivating both jazz purists and adventurous newcomers. Grammy‑nominated Kneebody delivered a show-stopping performance. Their blend of jazz-fusion, rock energy, and ambient soundscapes transformed The Cube into a thunderous arena. The band’s virtuosic solos, especially on trumpet and synths, set off bursts of applause and dancing. Kneebody’s set not only demonstrated technical mastery but also embodied raw, emotional storytelling.

Closing the night, Winnipeg’s own Apollo Suns brought a vibrant burst of genre-bending energy. Their performance bridged jazz, funk, and indie-rock, reflecting the ensemble’s eclectic roots. Anchored by melodic basslines and dynamic horn arrangements, the set felt like a community celebration—audience and performers alike feeding off one another’s energy. It was a hometown triumph, closing Day 3 on a jubilant high.

Latin Night on Friday presented an electrifying showcase of Canadian Latin talent, transforming The Cube into a pulsating dancefloor under the summer sky. Winnipeg-based Argentinian-Canadian songstress Onna Lou opened with grace and depth. Backed by a seven-piece ensemble including a string quintet and percussion—an expanded format mirroring her upcoming album—she melded folk roots with lush Latin-jazz arrangements. Her warm vocals and cello-inflected textures offered both intimacy and emotional resonance, drawing the crowd into a refined world of melodic storytelling.

Next, Samba Jazz Project, helmed by Brazilian guitarist Emmanuel Bach, took the stage. Their set radiated radiant Brazilian warmth: shuffling samba grooves, crisp percussion, buoyant horn melodies, and dance-inducing rhythms. Their seamless melding of samba with subtle jazz improvisation had seniors and young dancers alike swaying to the beat—the perfect bridge between folk lyricism and full-band exuberance. Meta‑Clave, a powerhouse Cuban timba big band brought their blend of Afro-Cuban funk, tight clave-driven rhythms, and bombastic horns shook the plaza. Call-and-response chants reverberated across the square, and the percussive onslaught of congas, timbales, and cowbells made The Cube feel like Havana’s own dance halls. Their performance fused sophistication with visceral dance-floor energy.

Hometown heroes El León & The Strangers closed out the night’s feature set. This Western Canadian ensemble fused Latin rock with indie sensibilities and thoughtful lyricism, creating a “sonic revolution” that pulsed with both groove and soul. Their guitar-driven arrangements, supported by brass accents and lyrical fire, had the crowd energized but not exhausted—a triumph of musical storytelling and cultural resonance.

Latin Night at The Cube was a triumph—an exceptional evening of vibrant Latin expression anchored by top-tier Canadian talent. It demonstrated the 2025 Winnipeg Jazz Festival’s commitment to showcasing local brilliance in a global context. Under the stars of Old Market Square, Latin Night united artistry and celebration in perfect harmony.