There’s a wonderful old tune called September Song, music by Kurt Weill and lyrics by Maxwell Anderson. One of its many memorable lines: “Oh the days dwindle down to a precious few”. It’s a splendid description of September at Resto Gare’s “Jazz at the Station” as we enter the home stretch of the 2024 season. One more fantastic month; four more top-notch evenings of jazz at Resto Gare before we turn the patio over to Old Man Winter once again. To say we’ve saved the best for the last would do a disservice to the incredible season we’ve had so far, so let’s just say this will indeed be a grand finale!

September kicks off on the 4th with the wonderful saxophone player Greg Gatien. Formerly one of the primary soloists of the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, Greg now concentrates on his duties as Dean of Music at Brandon University. That means fewer chances for Greg to be heard in these here parts. And that makes it twice as special that we have the pleasure of featuring Mr. Gatien at Resto Gare! A Halifax native, Greg has worked, studied and taught in the Maritimes. Boston and New York. We could fill the newsletter with a list of his credits and the amazing people he’s shared a stage with over the years. Let’s just say ….. this man has played Carnegie Hall! Do NOT miss the chance to hear Greg Gatien in the intimate confines of Resto Gare!

On the 11th we feature a great jazz singer, Jodie Borle. Jodie is singing better than ever these days. Her mastery of time continues to impress every time we hear her. Jodie’s original inspiration was Ella Fitzgerald and you can definitely hear that in her work. But she’s not a copycat! Jodie has her own unique spin on vocalese and jazz singing in general.

September 18th sees one final visit by our house band and Resto Gare’s resident Jazz Guy, Brian Chipney. Brian plays soprano saxophone and has the great good fortune to hang around with Rick Boughton on piano and Steve Hamilton on bass. Those guys are so talented, they could make anyone sound good! And they almost manage it even with Chipney!! We kid. Brian can play. He even sings a ditty now and then. It will be one last evening of mainstream swing, delivered as only Brian’s trio can.

“Jazz at the Station” concludes its 2024 season on the 25th with Janice Finlay as the featured performer. Janice has led her own groups around town. She’s recorded CDs. She’s played with everyone worth playing with, including the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra. And she’s a really good saxophone player. We can’t think of a better way to close out the season than listening to Janice, up close and personal at Resto Gare.

And that’s September, the last month of our season. Maybe we HAVE saved the best for last at that! Come on down and enjoy Winnipeg’s finest jazz series, each Wednesday in September at Resto Gare. The music begins at 6:30 and runs through 8:30. We’ll be out on the patio if the weather permits, but it can start to get a little nippy on September evenings. On those nights when the patio isn’t a viable option the music moves into our newly redecorated dining room. Either way, reservations aren’t a strict requirement. Never a bad idea to make them though! Call us at 204-237-7072 to reserve your table or to get further details on what’s happening at Resto Gare. We promise you great food ……. and great music! Join us every Wednesday in September for Resto Gare’s “Jazz at the Station”! Always plenty of free parking alongside our iconic train car!