Dear friends in jazz…
When jazz aficionado Israel Asper dreamed up the Izzy Asper Jazz Performances over 25 years ago, he wanted Winnipeggers to experience the best and brightest jazz artists right here in Winnipeg. His vision continues to be our guide as we scout for exciting artists to share their talent and their joy on our stage each season.
Oct 31/Nov 1, 2026, Berney Theatre– We kick off the season with NEW YORK VOICES, one of the world’s premier jazz vocal ensembles, renowned for their sophisticated arrangements, daring swing, and remarkable vocal precision. Winnipeg will be one of the last stops on their triumphant Grand Finale Tour, so don’t miss your chance to experience their infectious energy, brilliant musicianship and genuine joy in sharing music they love!
Nov 28, 2026, Desautels Concert Hall – Acclaimed vocalist JANE MONHEIT, known for her silky voice and her capacity to release the emotional core of every lyric, brings her new show, I Am in Love! Monheit Sings Porter to the stage for one night at the Desautels Concert Hall. Given her lifelong passion for the Great American Songbook, we can expect song after song to be “devastatingly ravishing, in all the best ways” (Broadway Review).
Mar 13/14, 2027, Berney Theatre– Master guitarist PETER BERNSTEIN has forged an enviable career path over the past thirty years as a first-call player with a who’s-who of jazz luminaries, and as a member of the powerhouse organ trio with Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart. Winnipeg audiences will hear his “feather-light touch, encyclopedic knowledge of chords and ability to play standards like he’s inventing them on the spot” (LA Daily News) as his quartet closes out another remarkable season.
As always, we welcome walk-up audiences at all of our concerts, but why not subscribe to the whole season? A subscription offers you the best value, and it also allows you to reserve your favorite seats for all concerts. Or consider supporting this boutique series as a Benefactor or Patron—we’ll happily provide a charitable tax receipt and an extra helping of gratitude. Find ticketing information and links on our website, IzzyAsperJazz.com, or call Tomer at 204-477-7534.
Thanks for helping us keep the spirit of jazz alive!
Charlene Diehl, Producer
Izzy Asper Jazz Performances
Check out the audio clips below for a sampling of music from the current season of the Izzy Asper Jazz Performances.
BENNY BENACK III
“This Is the Life”
“Darn That Dream”
T.K. BLUE
“That’s All”
“Hi Fly”
CYRILLE AIMÉE
“Beautiful Way”
“For the Love of You”
There are three ways to purchase single tickets or subscriptions:
Order your tickets on the Rady JCC website.
Call Tomer Levy at the Rady JCC: 204-477-7534
E-mail Tomer Levy at: [email protected]
Purchase subscriptions online at Rady JCC
Supporter: $260
(One subscription + $130 tax receipt)
Patron: $520
(One subscription + $390 tax receipt)
Benefactor: $1,300
(Two subscriptions + $1,040 tax receipt)
Adult – $45
Student (with ID) – $25
*ALL PRICES INCLUDE TAX
Israel Asper was a passionate jazz afficionado. He had a vision of creating a jazz series in Winnipeg modeled after the one at the New York’s famous 92nd Street Y. In 1999 he approached the Rose and Max Rady Jewish Community Centre, one of the many organizations housed in the Asper Jewish Community Campus, with the idea of partnering to bring jazz greats to Winnipeg to perform.
The idea was an immediate hit with jazz fans and The Asper Foundation Performances Jazz Series was born. The Berney Theatre at the Campus was swinging from fall to spring with top notch musicians from Winnipeg and around the world. For the 2000-2001 season, The Asper Foundation updated the Berney Theatre with a state-of-the-art sound system and a Steinway concert piano, donated by Mark and Zita Bernstein and family, and launched a subscription campaign for the series.
Here is a complete listing of artists who have performed at the Izzy Asper Jazz Performances since the series' inception.
Click the headings below to view the brochure for each season (if available).
Benny Benack III, TK Blue & the African Rhythm Alumni Ensemble, Cyrille Aimée
Susie Arioli Quartet, Anat Cohen Quartetinho, Jane Bunnett & Maqueque
Django Festival Allstars, Canadian Jazz Collective, Tammy McCann Quartet
Oran Etkin Trio, Marry Stallings Quartet, Joe Locke Quarter with Kenny Washington, Brandon Goldberg Trio
Trio Bembe / Karly Epp & Karl Kohut / Laila Biali / Bruce Barth
Steve Wilson Quartet / Ignacio Berroa Trio / Duchess / Emmet Cohen Trio / Joe Locke Quartet
The Marcus Roberts Trio / Jazzmeia Horn Quintet / Raoul Midòn Trio / Vanguard Jazz Orchestra / Cannonball Adderley’s Fiddler on the Roof
The Christian Sands Quartet / The Pedrito Martinez Group / René Marie / The Clayton Brothers Quintet / The Hot Sardines
The Robi Botos Quartet / The Cyrille Aimée Quartet / Alicia Olatuja Quintet / The Spike Wilner Quintet / A Tribute to Ray Charles
The Mike LeDonne Quintet / The Omer Avital Quintet / Celebrating the Music of Nina Simone, Abbey Lincoln & Joni Mitchell / The Aaron Diehl Quartet / A Tribute to Stevie Wonder
The Etienne Charles Sextet / The Warren Wolf Quartet / Featuring Russell Malone / Regina Carter’s Southern Comfort Quintet / Carmen Lundy
Brian Lynch & Eric Alexander w/Xavier Davis, Steve Kirby & Quincy Davis
Vanessa Rubin / The Brubeck Brothers Quartet / Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band / Catherine Russell and Allan Harris
Marcus Printup, Gary Symulian, Edward Simon / Christian McBride & Inside Straight / The Hot Club of Detroit w/Cyrille Aimee / Anat Cohen Quartet / Bill Charlap Trio w/Freddy Cole
Brian Lynch and Don Braden / Clayton Brothers Quintet / Randy Brecker / Aaron Goldberg Trio / Dee Daniels
Allan Harris / Wycliffe Gordon, Jumaane Smith / Joe Locke Quartet w/Kenny Washington / Cyrus Chestnut & Jackie Ryan / Oliver Jones
Houston Person Quartet / Karrin Allyson Quartet / John Pizzarelli Quartet
Kenny Barron & Mulgrew Miller Duo / Stefon Harris and the Oceanic Jazz Orchestra
Bobby Watson & Horizon Band / Lionel Loueke Quartet w/Gretchen Parlato / Steve Turre Quintet / Monty Alexander Trio / Kurt Elling Quartet
James Carter Quartet w/Cyrus Chestnut / Taylor Eigsti Quartet / Clayton / Brothers Quintet / Jon Faddis Quartet / Christian McBride Quartet
Cedar Walton Quartet / Jeremy Pelt Quartet / Houston Person Quartet / Lincoln Center All Stars / Nnenna Freelon
Kenny Barron Quartet / Hilario Duran & Papa Mambo / Stefon Harris Quartet w/Mulgrew Miller & Terreon Gully / Joe Lovano Quartet / Oliver Jones / Dave Young
Dave Frishberg / Gene Bertoncini Duo / Steve March Torme / Bob Dorough / Carol Welsman / Peter Leitch / Tierney Sutton / Cyrus Chestnut / Phil Nimmons
Junior Mance / Buddy Greco / Bill Mays / P.J. Terry / Adam Makowicz / Scott Hamilton / T.S. Monk / Barbara Carrol /Jay Leonhart / Bill Charlap / Daryl Sherman / Dick Hyman & Derek Smith
Ray Bryant / Vanessa Rubin / Monty Alexander / Warren Vache & Eddie Higgins / Gene DiNovi Trio / Louis Bellson / Carol Welsman / Bud Shank & Conte Candoli / Russel Malone & Benny Green / Clark Terry
Oliver Jones Trio / Karrin Allyson / Dave Young & Ron Paley / Clark Terry & Ron Paley Big Band / Ray Bryant Trio / Jay Leonhart / Peter Appleyard w/the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra / Dave Frishberg / Jackie & Roy
The Izzy Asper Jazz Performances recognizes and appreciates the support of the following organizations:
Artistic Advisor
Derrick Gardner
[email protected]
For further information or to contact us about performing in the Izzy Asper Jazz Performances, please contact:
Producer
Charlene Diehl
[email protected]
Izzy Asper Jazz Performances
Rady Jewish Community Centre
B100-123 Doncaster Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3N 2B3