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This Sunday, March 30th, at 7:00 PM, composer and drummer Tetyana Haraschuk will perform at the Fort Garry Hotel, delivering a powerful, emotionally charged musical experience to Winnipeg audiences. Born in Kyiv, Ukraine to Ukrainian and Cuban parents, Haraschuk blends jazz, contemporary composition, and deeply personal storytelling, creating a unique fusion of sound that has garnered attention across genres.
A graduate of the University of Manitoba with a bachelor’s degree in jazz performance, Haraschuk studied under acclaimed musicians Quincy Davis and John Gordon. She then furthered her studies with a Master's in contemporary performance and production from the Berklee College of Music. Her music seamlessly combines the improvisational depth of jazz with the intricate structures of chamber music and the emotional resonance of film scores.
Her latest project, Until the Sun Comes, explores the experiences of Ukrainian war survivors—a journey documented in the CBC film Voices of Freedom. Haraschuk’s music reflects the vulnerability, resilience, and trauma faced by these individuals through rich textures and dynamic rhythms.
Haraschuk reflected on her musical influences, describing how her childhood listening to classic rock—especially Queen and ACDC—shaped her early musical tastes. “When I was about eight or nine, my dad, a bass player, introduced me to 'Portrait of Tracy' by Jaco Pastorius. That was the moment I fell in love with music,” she recalled. Later, she delved into classical piano and grew particularly fond of the works of Chopin.
Haraschuk’s project, Voices of Freedom, which focuses on the experiences of Ukrainian refugees, was born in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. “Sam Karney of Ice River Films approached me about a documentary on heavy metal musicians in Ukraine. But as our discussions evolved, I shared my idea of interviewing Ukrainian refugees and telling their stories through music,” she said. Working alongside Carney and producer Andrew Wiens, Haraschuk travelled to Poland to conduct interviews with displaced Ukrainians.
“The situation in Poland was heartbreaking. But I also witnessed how Polish people stepped up to help Ukrainians, which was incredibly moving. Over time, Warsaw became a hub for displaced Ukrainians, with businesses and communities emerging,” she said.
Creating music based on these interviews was both rewarding and challenging for Haraschuk, who was determined to accurately reflect the experiences of those she interviewed. “I felt such a responsibility not to make mistakes. I didn’t want to insert myself into their stories. I wanted the music to belong to the people,” she admitted.
The music from Until the Sun Comes serves as both storytelling and healing. Haraschuk explained that the goal was to give those who have suffered the space to reflect on their trauma and find validation through the music. “I hope the music helps them feel their stories have weight and recognition,” she said. “The trauma sets in later, and I want people to reflect on the weight of what they’ve experienced.”
Audiences attending Sunday’s performance at the Fort Garry Hotel will experience a unique, stripped-down version of Haraschuk’s work. She will perform most of the Until the Sun Comes album in a trio format, accompanied by pianist Will Bonness and bassist Julian Bradford. This pared-down approach will be an acoustic set, as opposed to the layered, effect-driven sound on the album. “The music has a structure and melody, but we’re leaving room for improvisation. The concert will be more intimate and closer to jazz tradition,” Haraschuk explained.
Tetyana Haraschuk’s performance on Sunday promises to be an unforgettable evening that blends music and storytelling to provide a poignant reflection on the Ukrainian war. As she shared, “The world is in distress, and I hope this concert reminds people that the war in Ukraine is still very real, and that people continue to be affected by it.”
For more details about her performance, visit jazzwinnipeg.com
