For many Winnipeg music lovers, the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival is one of the highlights of the summer arts calendar. Each June, Old Market Square becomes a gathering place for audiences eager to hear everything from traditional jazz and swing to contemporary sounds that push the boundaries of the genre. This year, among the performers helping launch the festival is a musician who has spent decades contributing to Manitoba’s musical landscape but is making his first appearance as a performer at the festival itself.
On June 16 at 5 p.m., pianist Danny Carroll and his trio will take the stage at the Cube in Old Market Square as part of opening night celebrations. Joined by bassist Nenad Zdjelar and drummer Rob Siwik, Carroll will present a performance that blends jazz standards, original compositions, and a variety of influences that reflect his wide-ranging musical career.
For Carroll, the performance represents both a milestone and an exciting new opportunity.
A First Appearance at the Festival
Despite being one of Winnipeg’s most recognizable musical figures, Carroll’s upcoming appearance marks his first time performing at the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival.
“My first. Yeah, my first, man,” Carroll said when asked how many times he had performed at the festival.
The admission may surprise many who have followed his long career as a pianist, composer, music director, and collaborator. For years, Carroll’s schedule was filled with theatre productions, composing projects, and a steady stream of performances that left little time to pursue festival appearances.
“It’s like I just… I never applied. And I just, I love playing jazz. I do jazz and do lots of solo private things, private gigs and little, events here and there and stuff like that.”
His focus for many years remained elsewhere, but the desire to bring his jazz trio to a larger audience never disappeared.
“I was so busy with the theater stuff and the writing and all that kind of thing. And it’s like, at some point, this was one of my goals was to kind of get out there, especially with the trio and do some stuff and, I mean, mix in some originals and things like that.”
That long-held ambition makes this year’s invitation particularly meaningful.
“So yeah, I’m very pumped for this to get a chance to do this in the festival.”
Taking Jazz Outdoors
For nearly two decades, Carroll was a familiar face at Winnipeg’s Fort Garry Hotel, where he performed regularly in the Palm Room. Those intimate indoor performances created a vastly different atmosphere than what audiences can expect at Old Market Square.
According to Carroll, the most obvious difference is the practical reality of performing outside.
“Well, the first thing is you got to bring clothes pins. That’s the that’s the biggest thing… and a hat.”
Beyond the weather, outdoor performances also present unique musical challenges.
“And it’s also, sometimes it’s the sound, especially if it is windy, the sound can carry, and it’s really got to be really on for listening to what’s happening.”
Yet despite those challenges, Carroll appreciates the energy that outdoor audiences bring.
“But it’s a really fun vibe because the people being there, the audience, outside are in that mood for let’s have some fun, let’s hear some music, you know. So there’s always a cool vibe with it.”
That spirit aligns perfectly with the atmosphere that has become synonymous with the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival, where thousands of people gather each evening to enjoy live music in the heart of downtown.
A Blend of Standards and Original Music
Audiences attending Carroll’s performance can expect a diverse set list that balances familiar jazz favourites with original material.
“Well, I’m going to be doing some jazz standards, okay, for sure. And some of our faves. And then I’m going to introduce some of my original jazz tunes.”
Carroll plans to embrace the energy of the festival environment by offering a variety of styles and moods.
One of his goals is to appeal both to dedicated jazz enthusiasts and to casual listeners who may be experiencing the genre for the first time.
“Well, you mix it up. You give a blend of things.”
That blend will include classic jazz repertoire alongside other influences.
“Like, you know, I do some Duke Ellington tunes, okay, some standards like that. And maybe a Latin tune, a standard Latin kind of thing is something we’re planning.”
The performance will also explore sounds beyond traditional swing.
“And then also get a little bit more of an eighthy rocky kind of feel, like a little bit of funky kind of feel, because it’s all, if it’s improvising, it’s jazz. Okay, that’s the key component.”
For Carroll, improvisation remains the defining characteristic of the genre.
“And so you can take any kind of styles and improvise with it.”
The Trio Behind the Music
Central to the performance will be Carroll’s longtime musical collaborators, bassist Nenad Zdjelar and drummer Rob Siwik.
Carroll first met Zelar through theatre work at Rainbow Stage.
“Well, Nenad I met quite a few years ago at Rainbow Stage. That’s where he was in the pit. He was in the pit one time. And I said, oh wow, he’s a good bass player.”
Their professional relationship quickly developed into a strong musical partnership.
His connection with Suik developed through Winnipeg’s close-knit music community.
“When I was looking for another drummer in that, it was like, hey, well, Rob, you want to try this?”
The collaboration proved to be an ideal fit.
“It was just like, wow, because he is, he really has this feel. He has this tasty feel for whatever genre, whatever mood you’re trying to create.”
Carroll is equally appreciative of Siwik’s personality offstage.
“And he’s just such a nice guy.”
The chemistry between all three musicians extends beyond the music itself. That camaraderie is one of the reasons Carroll is particularly excited about sharing the stage with both musicians at the festival.
Opening Night Excitement
Adding another layer of significance to the performance is the fact that Carroll and his trio will be among the first artists audiences see when Old Market Square comes alive for the festival.
While opening a major event can bring additional pressure, Carroll is approaching it with a practical mindset.
“You think of it as the gig and you go and you take a look, you kind of, you know, play it, play something, get a reaction from the audience and see what’s happening.”
Flexibility will be a key part of the performance.
“We’ll have a variable set list and say, okay guys, let’s go to this and let’s see what happens.”
Ultimately, his focus remains on communication and musical connection.
“Focus, on what I’m doing on the playing and that, and just get into it and, enjoy it, communicate… just share the ideas.”
As he looks ahead to June 16, Carroll is especially eager to showcase the wide range of sounds he and his trio can create together.
“I’m looking most at creating a scope. Of different kind of styles.”
He also plans to incorporate additional textures into the performance.
“I’m bringing in just my little Korg. My plan is to bring in my little Korg and I’m gonna use some lead stuff on that too. And that’s really fun for me. I really enjoy doing that.”
For audiences attending opening night of the 2026 TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival, Carroll’s debut promises to be more than just another jazz performance. It will be the culmination of a long musical journey, the realization of a personal goal, and an opportunity to hear one of Winnipeg’s most versatile musicians explore the music he loves most. With a trio of trusted collaborators, a set list that embraces both tradition and innovation, and the excitement of a first festival appearance, Danny Carroll is poised to help launch six days of music in memorable fashion.