Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra: ‘Forgotten Stories Suite’

I love it when music is combined with the spoken word and there’s a beautiful selection of poetic monologues that accompany each of the movements of ‘The Forgotten Stories Suite’ from the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra.

Composed by multi-instrumentalist Sean Irvine, the album allows the orchestra to range around emotional personal stories, with vocals from Karly Epp and narration of the monologues from Quinn Greene.

The opening Forgotten Stories monologue introduces us to the concept of the lives of individuals and the following Prologue - Study in Shades of Palo Santo brings us large ensemble playing and brief solos that begin to express individuality.

The poetry - Two Brothers, Longing for Texas, A King & His Castle, May He Rest - give an insight into lives of which we may only gain a brief understanding. The following movements take the tone set by the poetry and bring it to musical life. They each - Nightmare, Texas, A Perfect Castle, Harold - include vocals alongside the large ensemble vista and individual improvisation.

The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra (WJO) is Canada’s first community-based, non-profit professional jazz orchestra and a cornerstone of Winnipeg’s cultural life. Founded in 1997, the ensemble is led by celebrated artistic director and conductor Richard Gillis, whose vision has helped shape the WJO into a dynamic, artist-driven force.

Irvine says: “I want this album to speak for itself – to amplify the voices of a community of people who take each day in stride and have lived lives of solitude, grappling for love and freedom. Much like the experience of walking through an art gallery, I hope you will look deeply into the portraits of these folk's stories and see how each line, shade, and brushstroke speaks to a greater good. For if music can make us feel something, it provides an avenue for connection and empathy.”

The ‘Forgotten Stories Suite’ is available on Bandcamp.