Jazz Winnipeg hires new artistic director

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This article was published 19/12/2016 (3224 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Musician and promoter Michael Falk is Jazz Winnipeg’s new artistic director.

The non-profit organization hosts the annual Winnipeg International Jazz Festival.

Falk, previously the West End Cultural Centre’s artistic director and the frontman of local group Les Jupes, also organized the SpaceLand music events on Portage Avenue.

“It’s such a great festival with an important role in the Winnipeg community, and it felt like an important opportunity to more firmly establish myself in the local music economy,” said Falk via email Monday evening.

“No doubt he’ll be bringing all of the experience he’s amassed to his new role, as well as his signature excitement and enthusiasm,” said Jazz Winnipeg executive director Lynne Stefanchuk. “I can’t wait to start working alongside Mike and build upon our success to take the festival into its third decade as the best it’s ever been.”

Falk is also curator for Head in the Sand, a local record label, and member of the band Touching. He says he plans to stay involved in all of his various projects, but that his role will likely shift from doing the “heavy lifting” to one more of vision and direction as he takes on his new gig at Jazz Winnipeg.

“I’m excited about the musical breadth of the festival, and being able to introduce Winnipeg audiences to some exciting new music,” says Falk. “Jazz and its various offshoots, hip hop, indie rock, paid shows, free stages, small venues, large venues — its a fun challenge to produce a festival of this nature that hits so many targets and tries to satisfy such a range of audiences.”

Falk fills the shoes of executive producer Paul Nolin, who left in September after 13 years with the organization.

The 2017 jazz festival runs June 15-25.