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Chantale Gagné
From 1997 to 1999, she studied jazz piano with James Gelfand at College Marie-Victorin in Montreal, followed by 4 years at McGill University where she received her degree in “Jazz Piano Performance”.
In 2005, Chantale met famous pianist Kenny Barron and although she studied with him for a short period of time, this encounter proved to be so inspiring to Chantale both as a pianist and composer that she realized jazz had become her deepest calling. For the past years, Chantale has been busy performing in Canada, U.S. and Europe from trio, quartet to piano solo and big bands.
Silent Strength her self-produced debut recording album with Peter Washington on bass and Lewis Nash on drums, has been met with great reviews and features many of her original compositions.
After releasing Silent Strength, the music of Chantale Gagné has been played on radio in the following countries further to the media attention which she received: Australia, Argentina, Colombia, Greece, New Zealand, Poland, Byelorussia, Canada, the United States, Netherlands, Scotland, England, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia.
In October 2008, Chantale is honored by Radio-Canada in receiving the distinction Révélation Radio-Canada Musique 2008-09. This recognition allows her to benefit from a privileged support and from a particular visibility on all the platforms of the public diffuser. She was moreover invited to perform along with Peter Washington and Lewis Nash, during the launch of Espace Jazz.
In 2009, the American jazz magazines, Jazz Times, Cadence and JazzWax.com, as well as the German Magazine, Jazz Podium have been positively reviewing the album Silent Strength. 2009 and 2010 have been decisive as far as Chantale’s growing interest in composition.
Wisdom Of The Water, her 2010 release, demonstrates a totally different sound with a strong folk/heartland influence that she reveals as a composer as well as a pianist. Vibes player Joe Locke is featured on this album along with Peter Washington on bass and Lewis Nash on drums.
The music on The Left Side Of The Moon is inspired by the acceptance of the mystery of life. It includes 10 original pieces and an arrangement of the traditional french song “À la claire fontaine”. Great saxophonist Steve Wilson is joining the rhythm team of bassist Peter Washington and drummer Lewis Nash.
Awards
Young Steinway Artist Revelation Radio-Canada Musique 2008-09
Tags
Chantale Gagné: Composer on the Rise
by R.J. DeLuke
Chantale Gagné has been locked in with some of the best musicians on the scene since the pianist/composer moved to jny: New York City in 2008. She's an import from Quebec. Raised in a rural part of the province, she cut her teeth in jazz circles in jny: Montreal before moving to the Big Apple. She's not only taken to the town, but her deft touch and great feel on her instrument has endeared her to musicians in her new ...
read moreChantale Gagné: The Left Side Of The Moon
by Hrayr Attarian
Montreal native pianist Chantal Gagné's third release as a leader, Left Side of the Moon brims with a fantastical mysticism. A translucent aura surrounds the ten Gagné compositions, and one cover, that comprise the album while an intense, organic passion permeates their core.The darkly hued title track for instance is an incandescent ballad with an intriguingly tense ambience. Gagné's classically influenced cascading phrases and saxophonist Steve Wilson's ardently undulating lines embellish the main theme before drummer Lewis Nash's ...
read moreChantale Gagné: The Left Side Of The Moon
by Dan Bilawsky
Pianist Chantale Gagné isn't afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve. With each release she's become more demonstrative in the manner in which she presents her music. Silent Strength (Self Produced, 2008) was her first step, and the first look at how she functioned with the high-end rhythm section of drummer Lewis Nash and bassist Peter Washington; The luminous and stunning Wisdom Of The Water (Self Produced, 2010) came next, with Gagné adding vibraphonist Joe Locke to the shimmering ...
read moreChantale Gagne: Wisdom of the Water
by Raul d'Gama Rose
Chantale Gagné has adopted what seems to be the perfect persona for her album, Wisdom of the Water. The young, Montreal-based pianist appears here as an almost childlike water sprite, a naiad, who sometimes mixes fun with erudition too. This is a perfect persona for the metaphor that is brought to fruition as it rushes and bubbles, but always flows onward to what becomes an exciting conclusion on songs throughout the entire album. With the graceful flow of ever changing ...
read moreChantale Gagne: Silent Strength
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
I came upon Chantale Gagne's Silent Strength completely by accident. The French-Canadian jazz pianist recorded this album in 2007, but I only discovered it last weekend while searching to see who had recorded Bill Evans' Peri's Scope. After sampling the Evans track and then others, I had to get hold of the CD. And ask Chantale a few questions. Chantale Gagne (pronounced SHAN-tahl Gan-yay) was born in 1980 and began her jazz career on the organ. At age 15, after ...
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"Chantale’s writing is so beautiful, that every time I play her music, I come away feeling better than I did before the session.” —Peter Washington
"In addition to becoming a very fine pianist, Ms. Gagné is also developing into quite a composer." —Kenny Barron
Primary Instrument
Piano
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Chantale Gagné
Instrument: Piano
Born: June 5, 1980
Publicist: Two for the Show Media
