I had a chance to catch a few acts this year at the Winnipeg Jazz Festival, which has 10 days of live shows featuring local, national, and international talent. The festival is not exclusively jazz and has grown to include R&B, Roots, Blues, Indie Rock, Hip Hop, and Dance. For more info about the Winnipeg Jazz Festival visit jazzwinnipeg.com. 

I had a chance to see The Stars (3.5/5 Chilis), The New Pornographers (2.5/5 Chilis >> they were without Neko Case this night), and local favorite Moses Mayes and The Funk Family Orchestra (4.5/5 Chilis).

My highlight of the festival definitely was the show that Moses Mayes put on in Old Market Square. The late Sunday night set had the entire crowd dancing to good ol’ funk with a modern twist. Old Market Square is a great venue, located in the heart of Winnipeg’s artsy Exchange District. After the show a tumbla jam session broke out in the blocked off street. I found some footage of the jam session which is posted below (I’m having a great time somewhere near the big white truck…).

A great list of all the best indie albums of 2007 was put together by Obscure Sound. Lots of good artists if you’re interested…  Top 50 Indie Albums

~TJK