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Philippe Cote
Lungta, his first album of original compositions for jazz quintet and wind orchestra, was produced by world-acclaimed American saxophonist David Binney. Philippe Côté spent over ten years crafting the album’s intriguing jazz and classical perspective, culminating in a body of work already earning critical appraisal:
I LOVE your record. What wonderful writing, orchestrating and playing all around. It’s a tremendous work.
-Donny McCaslin, Grammy Awards nominated jazz saxophonist
On April 2nd, 2016 at the mythical Montreal venue L’Astral, Philippe and David Binney were joined on stage by the National Jazz Orchestra of Montreal (Orchestre National de Jazz de Montréal) for Lungta’s official release.
Philippe Côté is no newcomer to the musical scene. Master of Music (M.Mus.), Philippe studied classical orchestration under the supervision of respected Canadian composer John Rea at McGill University. Recipient of numerous awards, notably a scholarship from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, Philippe’s work was shaped by his time spent in Banff with two times GRAMMY-nominated trumpeter and composer Dave Douglas, as well as his intensive studies at the Brooklyn School of Improvisational Music (S.I.M.). New York was also the scene of two seminal moments for the composer: his encounter with long-time mentor David Binney, and his first experience with Lennie Tristano’s teaching method, learned from one of the most prolific jazz pianists of the last decades, Marc Copland. Needless to say, his stay in New York marked an important shift in his artistic vision, as he deepened his understanding of saxophone, improvisation and even Indian music.
Back in Montreal, Philippe composed for various jazz and symphonic orchestras, chamber music ensembles, and shared the stage with world-class musicians such as Joe Lovano, John Taylor, Tim Ries, and the Rolling Stones’ musicians. He has been coordinating and teaching the Jazz section of the McGill Conservatory.
In addition to Lungta’s realease, 2016 will bring various new projects: Philippe’s compositions for contemporary ensemble Paramirabo, as well as an exciting collaboration between Marc Copland and Philippe, a jazz and chamber music project for string quartet.
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Philippe Cote / Francois Bourassa: Confluence
by Dan McClenaghan
Confluence, on its surface, may come off as a minor work of art. It is the juxtaposition of just two instruments--saxophone and piano--braiding sounds together in what seems an improvisational mode. Francois Bourassa stays in the piano chair. Philippe Cote's seating arrangement shifts between tenor and soprano saxophones, piano and prepared piano. But the limitation of instrumentation in the hands of these Montreal-based artists contains mysterious depths--intricate swirls of silts appearing beneath the surface of crystalline water. Influences of modern ...
read moreMelissa Pipe Sextet: Of What Remains
by Hrayr Attarian
On the enchanting Of What Remains, her debut as a leader, Canadian saxophonist and bassoonist Melissa Pipe delightfully blurs the boundaries between jazz and western classical music. Pipe leads a cohesive sextet on seven of her haunting originals, on the theme of time, and an arrangement of Estonian composer Tõnu Kõrvits' Puudutus." For instance, La Part Des Anges" opens with Pipe playing the main motif on her airy bassoon, with support from drummer Mili Hong's effervescent beats. After ...
read moreMelissa Pipe Sextet: Of What Remains
by Dan McClenaghan
Montreal-based multi-reedist Melissa Pipe's artistic vision is fully formed. Her debut recording, Of What Remains, features a sextet which explores darkness with deep tones--Pipe plays baritone sax and bassoon here--by delving into temporality, the shifting of time and being, via chamber music reveries and jazz grooves. Noir is a word which comes immediately to mind on the disc's opener, Complainte du vent," and its follow-up, La part des anges." a pair of somber tunes which may evoke a ...
read moreWinnipeg Jazz Orchestra: Twisting Ways
by Jack Bowers
For the better part of its latest recording, Twisting Ways, Canada's Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra may as well scrub the word Jazz" from its name, as the music mostly bears scant resemblance to that time-honored genre. The overall mood may best be described as funereal, epitomizing themes of a mostly exploratory nature, interrupted all too seldom by passages that are more akin to the essence of traditional jazz. As the composers, David Braid and Philippe Cote, are well-known and well-respected in ...
read morePeter Hum - The Ottawa Citizen
"Philippe Côté: jazz à grand déploiement"
Alain Brunet - La Presse
Music
Muted Song
From: ConfluenceBy Philippe Cote
La parte des anges
From: Of What RemainsBy Philippe Cote
The Rest Is Noise
From: LungtaBy Philippe Cote