\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
![\"Supplied](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/4614695_web1_BNBSeanIrvineDec2024-7.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
Supplied<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Sean Irvine wrote Forgotten Stories Suite as a way to tell stories of queer experience.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cReally what this project has all been about was taking folks\u2019 stories and using art music as a form of soundscape, taking those stories and amplifying them through sonic scaping. I wanted to use melody, harmony and orchestration to depict them, leaving enough room for the listener to imagine and connect,\u201d says Irvine.<\/p>\n
Among the \u201cforgotten\u201d stories the WJO\u2019s album preserves are reflections by individuals who explained their coming-out or queer life stories, including one from Russia, one from Texas and one from Edmonton. Irvine reflects on his own experiences most directly on the record\u2019s fourth movement, entitled Harold.<\/p>\n
Named for the grandfather who raised him, Harold is about Irvine\u2019s wish to tell the late patriarch about who he became.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t get to talk to him about who I was,\u201d says Irvine, who has collaborated with Royal Canoe, the Ron Paley Big Band and Ma-Ann Dionisio, among others. \u201cI realized, sort of like a prayer, that this piece can function as a way to tell him I was gay, that I turned out OK, and that I am the person I wanted to be in the end.\u201d<\/p>\n
The project\u2019s embrace of spoken word was a way to welcome listeners who might consider themselves as \u201cguests to jazz,\u201d with narration serving as a guide.<\/p>\n
The record features contributions by an 18-member orchestra, with Irvine playing the piccolo, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano sax and lead alto sax.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so happy for Sean, who is an exceptionally hard worker,\u201d says WJO artistic director Richard Gillis, who saw the project through from its earliest phases. \u201cThe concept of these stories themselves and the themes explored is probably quite unique in terms of big-band writing, and adding the narration made it even more accessible and perhaps more moving.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gillis won\u2019t make a prediction, but the Irvine-led record could earn the WJO another nod at the Junos, scheduled to take place at Winnipeg\u2019s Canada Life Centre on April 4.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the WJO launches its 29th season on Oct. 17 at U of M\u2019s Desautels Concert Hall with Take Five: Dave Brubeck and the West Coast Swing. Tickets are $49 at winnipegjazzorchestra.com.<\/p>\n
Local industry has strong showing<\/p>\n
In addition to rewarding artists for their work, the WCMAs also recognize the behind-the-scenes workers who uphold the highest standard of professional music industry work.<\/p>\n
Birthday Cake Records \u2014 which reps Begonia, the Bros. Landreth, Fontine, Dominique Adams, Slow Leaves and Madeleine Roger, among others \u2014 picked up awards for both impact in artist development and impact in music marketing. Paquin Artists Agency won for impact in live music.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Roberta Landreth designed the cover of Erin Propp\u2019s The Longing Years.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Roberta Landreth, whose graphic design work has led to collaborations with artists including Ani DiFranco, Jully Black, William Prince and the National, took home the WCMA for excellence in visual design.<\/p>\n The Winnipeg-based Landreth, who collaborated with local graphic designer Jadyn Klassen on BreakOut West\u2019s brand identity and also refreshed the Winnipeg Folk Festival\u2019s branding last year, worked last year on several records, including Further From the Country by William Prince and The Longing Years, released in September by WCMA-winning vocalist Erin Propp.<\/p>\n Upcoming work includes graphic design on children\u2019s music legend Raffi\u2019s Love is Everywhere, due on Oct. 23.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just nice to be recognized as part of this community,\u201d says Landreth. \u201cIt\u2019s nice to be seen.\u201d<\/p>\n ben.waldman@winnipegfreepress.com<\/p>\n \n \t\t\t\t\t\tIf you value coverage of Manitoba\u2019s arts scene, help us do more. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t Ben Waldman Ben Waldman is a National Newspaper Award-nominated reporter on the Arts & Life desk at the Free Press. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Ben completed three internships with the Free Press while earning his degree at Ryerson University\u2019s (now Toronto Metropolitan University\u2019s) School of Journalism before joining the newsroom full-time in 2019. Read more about Ben<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Ben produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow the Free Press to deepen our reporting on theatre, dance, music and galleries while also ensuring the broadest possible audience can access our arts journalism.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBECOME AN ARTS JOURNALISM SUPPORTER
\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tClick here to learn more about the project.
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Reporter
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n