Dutcher brings passion for the past & vision of future to SSO stage
The first time Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra’s executive director Mark Turner heard Jeremy Dutcher’s first album Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa, he was fascinated.
“It’s genius. Having taken the wax recordings from 100 years ago and using them as the foundation of new musical recordings, it’s music that will move you. It’s unbelievable.” In the Spring of 2018, Turner learned that Dutcher was planning a classical music tour, the SSO instantly jumped on board.
In the months that followed, Dutcher’s album took home the 2018 Polaris Music Prize and earned him a 2019 Juno Award for Indigenous Music Album of the Year. His music continues to resonate with the audience.
“Listening to this music, you take in a scope of history forgotten and thankfully rediscovered,” says Turner.
“Listening to this music, you take in a scope of history forgotten and thankfully rediscovered”
The operatic tenor is now out on a 20-date North American Tour and it’s stopping at TCU Place this Saturday. Under the direction of guest conductor Lucas Waldin, Dutcher will perform his own music and works by other Indigenous composers including Cris Derksen and Andrew Balfour.
“Jeremy adds a heightened creativity to both traditional Indigenous and classical music,” says Turner. “His performance is a call to action for all of us in the music industry to think about how we as Canadians can better celebrate truth through music.”
The SSO is also hoping that this concert will inspire. Working with local businesses and tribal councils, they are trying to get as many Indigenous youth in the audience as possible.
“I believe the next generation of artists is here in Saskatchewan, waiting to have their creative flames lit,” says Turner. “This music is distinctly Canadian in its DNA makeup and it bridges the musical divides of pop, traditional and classical. It’s an exploration of who we are.”
