Episode 118 with Chuck Copenace

Rue Atateken

This week we welcome Chuck Copenace. Originally hailing from Kenora ON, with his ancestral roots in Animakee Wazhing 37, ‘Oshki Manitou’ finds the now Winnipeg-based, Ojibway musician expanding dramatically on his previous work as a trumpet player, arranger, and composer. Fusing contemporary interpretations of sweat-lodge melodies with jazz and elements of dance and electronica. Copenace’s distinctive voice and approach allow him to unify a wide range of styles beautifully in a way that’s honest and innovative in equal measure. “I shy away from traditionalists,” he explains. “When someone says, ‘this isn’t how music should be done’ or ‘if you’re playing this genre of music, this shouldn’t be there.’ That’s always bothered me.” The result is a collection of eminently groovy, haunting, and, at times, ethereal songs that display Chuck Copenace’s signature voice and substantial skills as an interpreter, composer, and performer as never before. But that’s only part of the equation, he says, citing a larger purpose behind his efforts, for which ‘Oshki Manitou’ is just a starting point. “I’m committed to sharing my story to help heal and offer support to people, and I want to introduce young people to jazz, but I also want to bring indigenous musicians together. And I think my music can be a platform to further that mission.” During his career, Copenace has performed widely across Canada, the USA, and internationally. He’s also played with a wide range of Winnipeg artists, made numerous television appearances, garnered play on CBC Radio on shows like Unreserved, and released his 2017 debut, EP 1. More recently, Copenace collaborated with Tom Wilson and iskwē on ‘Blue Moon Drive’ (2020) ‘and Starless Nights’ (2021) and performed with the pair live at the 2020 Indspire Awards.