Sean Irvine is a Métis Canadian woodwind multi-instrumentalist and composer whose practice moves fluidly between jazz, classical, contemporary music, and interdisciplinary performance. Through his work on saxophone, flute, clarinet, and oboe, he is recognized for his tonal artistry and versatility across diverse musical settings.
As a composer and director, Sean Irvine has developed a distinctive body of original work spanning small and large ensemble settings. His debut recording, The Oak in Alley Chapter (2020), featured a collection of original compositions written over seven years and brought to life through a rich palette of woodwinds, brass, vocals, and rhythm section instruments. In 2026, Irvine released Forgotten Stories in collaboration with the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, presenting ten original compositions for 18-piece jazz orchestra. The recording was nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award in the category of "Jazz Artist of the Year."
His expressive command of the woodwind family has led to work with Royal Canoe, David Braid, Nicole Lizée, Ma-Anne Dionisio, and Don Amero, as well as regular performances with ensembles including the Juno award winning Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, Big City All Stars, and Still Crazy: The Paul Simon Tribute. He has also appeared alongside groups such as the Dirty Catfish Brass Band, Ron Paley Big Band, and Mach 10, and has performed in productions with the Royal Manitoba Theatre Company.
A highly sought-after educator, Irvine engages with ensembles and students as an adjudicator, mentor, and leader. His teaching positions include Professor of Saxophone Studies at Canadian Mennonite University, Sessional Lecturer at the University of Toronto, and Educator in the Louis Riel School Division. Irvine’s educational work spans theory, ear training, jazz composition and arranging, jazz pedagogy, ensemble instruction, and private lessons.
Serving as Director of the Winnipeg Jazz Education Collective, Irvine has been responsible for the creation and expansion of nearly a dozen musical learning programs for students and adults. While working with El Sistema in collaboration with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra—an initiative introducing elementary students to orchestral woodwinds—Irvine helped shape the program’s curriculum by structuring woodwind instruction, introducing double reed studies, and refining assessment and testing methods.
Bachelor of Performance
Jazz Saxophone
Brandon University
Post Bachelor Performance Diploma
University of Manitoba
Masters of Music
Performance and Literature (Composition and Jazz)
Brandon University
Doctorate of Jazz Performance (ABD)
University of Toronto