COMPOSER
”Irvine’s musical constructions are generally characterised by a rather calm energy, tinged with impressionism and an attractive, melodic atmosphere. They are thus heirs to the great scores of Bill Evans, with their panoramic breadth yet attentive to fine details and a certain emotional introspection.”
~Frederic Cardin, Panm360
Sean Irvine & The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra: The Forgotten Stories Suite
“This is, simply put, big band music as a creative medium done justice...There is multi-disciplinary artistry where each arrow in one’s quiver is given its own treatment, its own time of day, its own level of care. This is another kind entirely, one where Irvine completely renders distinctions between these artforms unimportant, or even obsolete, showing that one can indeed be an extension of another.”
~Yoshi Maclear Wall, The WholeNote
Irvine’s eagerly anticipated second album as a co-leader with the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra released in Winter of 2026. The album blends vocals, spoken poetry, and instrumental music to tell five distinct stories of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals—amplifying the voices of a community that meets each day with resilience, navigating solitude while reaching for love and freedom.
Each movement begins with a poem, accompanied by instrumental narratives that expand on its themes. Four years in the making, this project builds on the foundations of Irvine’s debut album, The Oak & Alley Chapter.
The album was created in collaboration with visual artist Yisa Akinbolaji, graphic designer Roberta Landreth, filmmakers BnB Studios, spoken word artist Quinn Greene, vocalist Karly Epp, and members of the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra.
Personnel:
| Vocals- Karly Epp Spoken Word- Quinn Greene Conductor- Richard Gillis |
| Woodwinds- Sean Irvine (soloist) Saxophones- Neil Watson (soloist), Niall Cade (soloist), Monica Jones, Kyle Wedlake |
| Trombones- Joel Green, Jeremy Duggleby, Karen Carlson, Isabelle Lavoie |
| Trumpets- Shane Hicks (lead), Matt Walden, Andrew Littleford (soloist), Jonathan Challoner (soloist) |
| Guitar- Larry Roy (soloist), Piano- Will Bonness (soloist), Bass- Karl Kohut (soloist), Drums- Fabio Ragnelli (soloist) |
Reviews: Wholenote Review, Paris Move, Eric Alper, Frederic Cardin, Free Press
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Sean Irvine: The Oak & Alley Chapter
”The Oak & Alley Chapter” is Irvine's first release as a composer and band leader. A full-length album consisting of seven original compositions, the album features Manitoba musicians Micaylee Rodyniuk on vocals, Matt Walden on trumpet, Will Bonness on piano, Karl Kohut on bass, and Graydon Cramer on drums.
The album depicts the lives and stories of gay men from around the world, presented in an instrumental/ lyrical setting. Seven years in the making, each track represents a key figure in understanding gay culture and its evolution into the modern age.
The ensemble utilizes a variety on woodwinds, brass, vocals, and rhythm section instruments to paint life to the various compositions. Elements of folk music, traditional jazz styles, western classical composition techniques, and indie musical genres are woven together, generating imagery through tone, textures, and counterpoint in instrumentation.
Original Written Material Copyright © Sean Irvine 2016