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Steve Amirault
Christine Jensen: Day Moon
by Pierre Giroux
Christine Jensen has been described by jazz writer Mark Miller of The Globe and Mail as one of the most important Canadian composers of her generation." Jensen grew up in Nanaimo, British Columbia with the likes of tenor saxophonist Phil Dwyer and pianist & vocalist Diana Krall but is now based in Montreal, Quebec. She originally went to that city to attend McGill University from which she received her first degree in jazz performance in 1994 and, subsequently, a Masters ...
read moreMontreal Jazz Trio: Montreal Jazz Trio
by Dan McClenaghan
We had the Modern Jazz Quartet, sometimes tagged MJQ, from 1952 until--after a stop and start or two--the early 90's. They were a class act, playing in formal attire, playing classically-influenced jazz with a dollop (sometimes more than a dollop) of the blues. Restraint and laid back complexity was the name of the game. Now we have the Montreal Jazz Trio (we could call them MJT, though there is no indication that they have ever claimed that title) ...
read moreSteve Amirault: One Existence, Two Voices
by Pascal-Denis Lussier
Initially, I was disappointed to find out that pianist Steve Amirault was taking this new direction. Jazz singers have never really been my thing. Anyone that knows me knows I have a penchant for the lyric-less stuff--music that breaks all bounds, and language tends to impose extreme restrictions. Nonetheless, despite my own usual preferences, I'm always drawn towards good, honest, original music; good will always be good. And then there's great: music that, no matter the style or genre, draws ...
read moreSteve Amirault: Breath
by Budd Kopman
Steve Amirault has produced a fine piano trio album in Breath. He's not a tricky player, but his music brims with emotion; his melodies and style reflect a very personal means of expression with little that would be called straight-ahead jazz. Though Amirault clearly has the chops, his playing is not about showing off or using outlandish harmony. The mix of grand melodic, dynamic and textural gestures gives his music the feel of high theatrical drama--with much intensity, no harshness, ...
read moreSteve Amirault: Breath
by John Kelman
Gradually, and with little fanfare, the Canadian Effendi label has been amassing a substantial catalogue of contemporary jazz with special focus on Montreal's vibrant scene. That's not to suggest that all its artists are born and bred Montrealers. Pianist John Roney--heard recently on saxophonist Remi Bolduc's Cote D'écoute (Effendi, 2005)--originally comes from Toronto, while saxophonist Christine Jensen hails from British Columbia. But an increasing number of artists seem to be finding their way to Montreal. With strong scenes in cities ...
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Music
Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson
Étude de Mars
From: Day MoonBy Steve Amirault
My One and Only Love
From: Montreal Jazz TrioBy Steve Amirault