Artists_Artistes

Genticorum has become one of the most sought-after exponents of Quebecois musical culture, having now performed and toured across North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania – more than 15 countries in all. Firmly rooted in the soil of their native land, this energetic and original power trio also incorporate the dynamism of contemporary North American and European folk cultures into their music. They weave precise and intricate fiddle and flute work, gorgeous vocal harmonies, energetic foot percussion, and guitar and bass accompaniment into a jubilant musical feast

“Québécois trio Genticorum… had energy to spare… their songs were delivered with… cheek and charm” Glasgow Herald

“Genticorum: l'énergie acoustique! Nuancé dans l'approche, rock dans l'attitude, le power trio Genticorum est un parfait mélange de raffinement et de simplicité'' Le Devoir

modern_jazz 2007 recipient of the prestigious Oscar Peterson Award at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, pianist and composer François Bourassa leads one of the most active bands on the Canadian jazz scene, with André Leroux (saxophones, flute), Guy Boisvert (bass) and tandem Greg Ritchie or Philippe Melanson (drums), plus Ivorian-Canadian percussionist Aboulaye Koné, a [...]

“An uncommon level of artistic maturity” La Presse

“Compelling” The Gazette

Joaquin Diaz’s repertoire is a mixture of traditional and original tunes that is characterized by its exhilarating syncopated rhythms. His new fans are introduced to discovered a different aspect of the diatonic accordion showcasing his infectuous vocals. Joaquin Diaz is one of the best of a new breed of traditional merengue artist.

"In Diaz's hands merengue is hard-core stuff, an exhilarating polyrhythmic ride on a runaway train." World Music Festival,  Chicago

"Joaquin Diaz is a dynamic performer who not only moves your body and feet, but your heart and soul as well." Juan Tejeda, co-founder of the International Accordion Festival, San Antonio Texas

Kim Beggs hasn’t always made her living as a singer-songwriter, and as someone who began work at the tender age of twelve, the road has never been easy for her. Born in Val d’Or, Quebec and raised during her younger years in the mining towns of Northern Ontario, Kim inherited a worker’s hands and a sturdy disposition before leaving her Toronto home to arrive in the Yukon in the winter 0f 1991. With only fifty dollars in her pocket and a pawnshop guitar, Beggs spent more than a decade swinging a hammer, and working in the trades before she started performing away from the campfire and singing her own songs. It’s often been said that all Canadian artists are influenced by geography, and even though the soul informing Kim Beggs’ music might sound Appalachian, it’s easy to hear how the expansiveness of the Yukon allows her creative imagination to roam. The west was settled long ago and Kim’s frontier heart needed somewhere to inhabit, merge with and make her own.

Pianist and composer Jean Beaudet is cited in The Oxford Companion to Jazz as being the direct descendant to Oscar Peterson and Paul Bley. Far from intellect and reason, his music has an emotional but powerful touch and his style can encompass cool, funk, hard bop and free jazz styles, but is nothing if not intense. Beaudet’s latest project, a solo piano recording titled Seul au Piano, offers a most intimate portrait.

“…highly personal composer and performer who manages to maintain a pure reverence for the jazz tradition while… taking it in a different direction’’ All About Jazz

deep_rooted_folk A genuine living legend, Penny Lang is indeed a “First Lady of folk” in Canada, according to The Globe and Mail. With her unique, earthy voice, she interprets her own compositions, as well as ancient ballads, roots-blues or lovesongs, chosen from a repertoire of traditional and original pieces. Her award-winning eighth album, Stone + [...]

“Precious icon, this is what this woman is’‘ Richard Flohil

19 musicians in perfect harmony. Featuring Ingrid Jensen.

“…the most beautiful and substantial music in the large jazz ensemble genre. By far.” Alain Brunet, La Presse

The group’s emphasis is on original music freely inspired by tradition, heading into folk-trad territory without straying far from the essential Québec sound with its fiddle, tapping feet and unique swing. Guitar accompaniment, flute, vocal harmonies, accordion, banjo, mandolin, a capella arrangements, the raw and the refined come together to create a rich sound that is both intimate and energized unescapably Québécois!

“…an amazing breadth and depth of experience… [Béatrix] Méthé and [Colin] Savoie-Levac bring a fresh outlook to the table and the boundless enthusiasm of youth. The result is exhilarating.”  Penguin Eggs

“Remarquable qualité d’interprétation” Le Devoir (for/pour Claude Méthé)

“...trad métaphysique...” La Presse (for/pour Claude Méthé)

The Echo Hunters’ music is at once familiar, yet new, with favourite influences from the last few decades blended into a contemporary folk-rock feel – there’s a taste of country, blues and folk in the pop mix. From their lifelong friendship comes a love of jamming and exploring, as well as beautifully blended harmonies. Their eminently tuneful material is enhanced by a driving beat and savvy arrangements.

“Both their songs and their harmonies are original” Halifax Herald

NEW! A favourite with the jazz public and media.. this band is going places. With Ben Charest (guitar) Zack Lober (double bass), Jim Doxas (drums).

“tough, melancholy music, smart and immensely appealing” Downbeat, USA