Michel Lambert

Born to a family synonymous with classical music in his native Quebec, Lambert studied drums and composition at Boston's Berklee College of Music, attended workshops in Paris, and studied privately with saxophonist/composer Dave Liebman in New York and pianist/ composer Misha Mengelberg in Amsterdam. Since his first professional engagement with pianist/composer Milcho Leviev's trio in 1983, he has recorded extensively and performed hroughout Asia, Canada, Europe and the United States.

Born to a family synonymous with classical music in his native Quebec, Lambert studied drums and composition at Boston's Berklee College of Music, attended workshops in Paris, and studied privately with saxophonist/composer Dave Liebman in New York and pianist/ composer Misha Mengelberg in Amsterdam. Since his first professional engagement with pianist/composer Milcho Leviev's trio in 1983, he has recorded extensively and performed hroughout Asia, Canada, Europe and the United States.

Accomplished as both a composer and visual artist, excerpts from his first orchestral work, “Le Journal Des Episodes,” were premiered in 1992 by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and his oil paintings earned him a commission from the Canada Council to illustrate a 4-CD compilation of Canadian music to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. He appears on more than 50 recordings and has collaborated with musicians including Paul Bley, Gary Burton, Uri Caine, Franois Carrier, Dewey Redman, Bobo Stenson, Kenny Wheeler, Reg Schwager and Jeannette Lambert.

His recording, Out Twice (482 Music) featuring Leviev and bassist Barre Phillips among others, showcased free improvisation based on his artwork. Other recordings as a leader include Unclouded Day, released on Ayler Records and featuring Raoul Bjorkenheim, Mat Maneri and Jeannette Lambert, and a drum duo with Rakalam Bob Moses entitled Meditation on Grace, released on FMR. He is part of the mythic trio, the Maikotron Unit, that performs with invented instruments and has released two critically acclaimed albums, Effugit and Ex-Voto.

His cds, Journal des Episodes I & II, are based around his daily musical diary, and contain nearly 200 tracks for jazz trio challenge our sense of continuity.

Recent projects include composing during an artist residency in Italy with Jeannette Lambert, tours in Europe and Indonesia, new recordings with the various projects of Reg Schwager, Gabriel Lambert, Alain Bédard, and Francois Carrier, and upcoming engagements in New York City. He lives in Montréal, Canada with his wife, vocalist poet Jeannette Lambert and their two sons.

Awards

2011, Francois Marcaurelle Award, Maikotron Unit 2000, Juno Award, with Francois Carrier 1994, Juno Award, with Dave Young