To help present one of the 20th century’s most iconic pieces of music, George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, the SJO will be joined by the iconic Canadian trumpeter Jens Lindemann and the incomparable Saskatoon-based pianist Michelle Aalders. They will help us put our own special take on the work that helped reshape the worlds of classical and jazz music 99 years after it was first performed in New York City in 1924.
As the first classical brass soloist to ever receive the Order of Canada, Jens Lindemann is hailed as one of the most celebrated artists in his instrument’s history and was recently named “International Brass Personality of the Year” (Brass Herald). Jens has played both jazz and classical in every major concert venue in the world: from the Philharmonics of New York, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Moscow and Tokyo to Carnegie Hall and even the Great Wall of China. His career has ranged from appearing internationally as an orchestral soloist, being featured at the 2010 Olympics for an audience of 2 billion people, national anthems at the Rose Bowl and for the San Francisco Giants on Memorial Day, performing at London’s ‘Last Night of the Proms’, recording with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to playing lead trumpet with the renowned Canadian Brass and a solo Command Performance for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Jens has also won major awards ranging from Grammy and Juno nominations to winning the prestigious Echo Klassik in Germany and British Bandsman 2011 Solo CD of the year as well as receiving several honorary doctorates.
Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Michelle’s diverse musical background has taken her performances across Canada, the United States, Europe, the British Isles, China and South Africa. Michelle holds a Masters Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey, and Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education Degrees from Acadia University, N.S. . She has been the principal pianist with the Saskatoon Children's Choir since 2002 and can be heard on the CDs "Cantus Populi" and "On Prairie Wings.” She was the music director and organist at Third Avenue United Church in Saskatoon for 15 years where she co-ordinated the "Thursdays at Third Avenue" noon-hour concert series. In addition to her thriving private piano studio Michelle is in high demand as a collaborative pianist. She enjoys working with several local musicians and organizations such as the International Saito Conducting School, as well as the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra. Michelle is thrilled to be playing her first concert with the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra.