Sebastian writes: 

Saxophonist/composer Christine Jensen and her elder sister, trumpeter/bandleader Ingrid grew up in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, a town with a tradition of concert bands going back to the 1870s, and of jazz big bands since the 1930s which continues to this day. It was also, incidentally, the birthplace of Diana Krall. Christine Jensen has released three albums of big band music, and Ingrid has been a regular member of both Darcy James Argue’s and Maria Schneider’s bands.

Whirwind have announced a November tour in which they will tour with an international band of players from the UK, the US and Europe.

The Whirlwind press release states:

“Juno and Grammy award-winning Christine and Ingrid Jensen showcase an exciting programme of jazz compositions featuring the Whirlwind Jazz Orchestra. Ingrid specialising on trumpet and Christine on alto and soprano saxophones, the West Canadian sisters have each shaped fruitful musical careers in modern jazz over the past twenty years, collaborating with influential names such as trumpeter Clark Terry, composer Maria Schneider, drummer Terri Lyne Carrington among many others. Their unique sound defies convention with eclectic blend of influences, ranging from traditional jazz and classical music to American folk and the avant-garde.

“The tour features original and arranged compositions from both Christine and Ingrid (with focus on their Whirlwind Recordings release Infinitude), performed by the 18-piece Whirlwind Big Band, which consists of a galaxy of musicians, all being leading solo acts from UK, Europe and USA and all either solo artists or strong associations with the Whirlwind Recordings label.”

WHIRLWIND ORCHESTRA

Trumpets
Ingrid Jensen – USA
Nick Smart – UK
Jason Palmer – USA
Andre Canniere – US/UK

Trombones
Nick Vayenas – USA
Rory Ingham – UK
Paul Dunlea – Ireland
Richard Henry (bass trombone) – UK

Saxophones
Tori Freestone – tenor sax – UK
Josephine Davies – tenor sax – UK
Patrick Cornelius – alto sax – USA
Rachael Cohen – alto sax – UK
Christine Jensen – alto sax – Canada
Alex Garnett – baritone sax – UK

Rhythm Section
Alcyona Mick – piano/keys – UK
Rez Abbasi – guitars – USA
Michael Janisch – double & electric bass US/UK
Klemens Marktl – drums – Austria

TOUR DATES IN NOVEMBER

14: Bonington Theatre – Nottingham
15: Turner Sims – Southampton
16: CBSO Centre – Birmingham
18/19: Crane Lane Theatre – Cork, Ireland
21: Seven Arts – Leeds
22: Sheffield Jazz – Sheffield
23: Purcell Room EFG London Jazz Festival – London

LINKS:

The Whirlwind Orchestra November tour

Bryan Stovell explains the origins of the Nanaimo music tradition