Jazz Winnipeg has announced the headliners for the first evening of this year's TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival, which will take place from June 17 to 22.
The first set of headliners at the festival includes Grammy Award-winning banjo player Béla Fleck, harpist Edmar Castaňeda and Grammy Award-winning drummer Antonio Sánchez performing together at Burton Cummings Theatre. The all-star trio will kick off the festival's opening night on June 17 with a performance that will include original repertoire, much of which was written collaboratively.
Director of programming at Jazz Winnipeg Zachary Rushing shared in a release, "Béla Fleck is one of the most exciting musicians working today. His ability to transcend musical barriers of genre, period, or geographic origin to create music that speaks directly to the humanity of his audiences makes him one of the truly remarkable artists of our time." He continued, "Fans of the highest calibre music of any kind, be advised — this is a legendary performer making some of the most exciting music of their career, and a once-in-a-lifetime show that is not to be missed!"
Executive Producer of Jazz Winnipeg Angela Heck added, "Jazz festivals are more than music — they're moments that unite us as a community. We're thrilled to announce the first headliner for this year's TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival: featuring world-class artists who embody the spirit of innovation and connection that jazz represents." She concluded, "Festivals like this are vital to Winnipeg, breathing life into downtown, fostering creativity, and bringing people together through the universal language of music. Stay tuned for more exciting announcements!"
Tickets for the performance are available to purchase here. Further information about the festival's programming and additional performers have yet to be announced.