It is exciting to find crossovers between different musical genres. For instance, the fast electric guitar runs in heavy metal are like modern derivations of the virtuosic solo passages Vivaldi wrote for his concerti in the 17th century. The chart-topping K-pop group BLACKPINK have also famously incorporated Paganini’s “La Campanella,” a devilishly difficult classical violin piece, in one of their songs.
However, Cree jazz music is rarely discussed — until now. Neil Watson, the director of upcoming concert Tomson Highway Meets The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra is bringing this unique fusion to the forefront.
On Oct. 19, the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra will join forces with Tomson Highway — an award-winning Cree playwright, who writes songs and plays piano among other talents — to perform orchestral jazz arrangements of some of Highway’s most iconic songs at the U of M. The concert will also feature the acclaimed Peruvian-Canadian singer Patricia Cano, who sings in English, French, Spanish and Cree.
Born in Brochet, Manitoba, Highway is considered one of Canada’s most influential playwrights. He has won prestigious awards such as the Governor General’s Performing Arts award in 2022 and was named an officer of the Order of Canada in 1994.
Reflecting his heritage and previous experience in Indigenous social work across Canada, his work explores Indigenous culture and mythology. The lyrics in his songs are often in Cree, but his music also draws inspiration from diverse traditions — such as the Brazilian samba and American country — creating a unique, cross-genre sound.
Highway’s cross-genre sound has inspired Watson, a local jazz saxophonist with experience in blending jazz with hip-hop, to come up with the idea of arranging Highway’s songs to be played by the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra.
“I heard this cabaret version of one of the pieces [by Highway]. It’s like a samba, fast samba with Cree lyrics. It’s called ‘Taansi Nimiss,’” Watson said as he enthusiastically explained what inspired him to collaborate with Highway years after meeting him.
“I’m hearing every song we do through the lens of a big band thinking, yes, this could be expanded to include horns, and it would be so great.”
After that, Watson and his team spent a few years choosing songs that they felt best represented Highway’s work and arranging them to be played with saxophones, trumpets and trombones for that “big band” sound.
“This is brand new music in that this version of these songs has never been heard before,” he explained since Highway himself has not listened to the arrangements.
In addition to capturing the realities and dreams of Indigenous people, Watson praised Highway’s infectious passion for music. The two first met over a decade ago at a concert at the U of M.
“As soon as I walked into the rehearsal space with [Highway], I could feel that excitement […] it was almost like he was coming out of his skin, he was so excited, and that stuck with me,” Watson said, recounting his first meeting with the Cree playwright.
“He’s always in awe of everything going on around him. There’s this youthful exuberance that is really remarkable, and I’m excited for a Winnipeg audience to get the opportunity to spend an evening with him.”
The concert will take place in the Desautels Concert Hall at the U of M on Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. For more information or to buy tickets, visit winnipegjazzorchestra.com.
