Canadian bassist Alain Caron’s musical career began at the early age of 11 as he soon discovered the music which would become his life’s passion - jazz. In the 70s he moved to Montreal and started extensive studio work. He also started playing quite a bit in jazz clubs in and around town. The self-taught musician took correspondence courses, and eventually, journeyed south to attend Berkley College of Music. While in Boston, he was quickly introduced to some outstanding young musicians, co-students, as well as, seasoned well established professional jazzman. Soon performing nightly, in the Boston area, with David Kikovsky, Tom Harrell, Sal Nestico, Frank Tiberi, Jerry Bergonzi, Bob Moses, to name a few.
Opportunity knocked in 1977 when he met the Michel Cusson Group. Caron found himself in the company of like-minded musicians - who could appreciate jazz and its origins, as well as looking ahead to the future. They emerged in the early 1980s with super fusion group UZEB. Gradually the group evolved into a mature outfit, interested in intelligent fusion—impressive but always musical. By the time Noisy Night and the outstanding, World Tour ‘90 were released, Alain had recorded ten albums with them. UZEB sold over 400,000 copies. Caron found himself on world tours and with albums on the hit parade: pretty heady stuff...
(Recognised by Down Beat magazine as one of the best electric jazz bands of the decade, the group received nine Felix Awards - Best Jazz Album (1983-84-86-87-90-91), Best Group (1984-89), and Most Recognised Artist Abroad (1990), a Gemini Award For Best Original Score (1989), a SOCAN Award, and the Oscar Peterson Lifetime Achievement Award (1991).
Caron soon developed a reputation as a master electric bass player, a virtuoso on the
6-string bass guitar. Not surprisingly, as he became increasingly well known, Caron taught master classes in most of the world’s major cities, including Montreal, Toronto, Boston, Los Angeles, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bogota, London, Rome, Amsterdam, Geneva, Frankfurt.
Caron soon took off on his solo career, launching his own imprint NORAC RECORDS;
In 1992, he produced the first of his 7 solo albums to date ¨Le Band¨. ¨Rhythm And Jazz¨ followed in 1995, ¨Play¨ was released in 1997 ¨Call Me Al¨ followed in 2000. Along the way, recording numerous albums with friends. ¨5¨ was released in 2003, followed by the DVD and CD entitled "Live au Cabaret de Montréal", released in 2006. To commemorate UZEB..s 25th anniversary, CARON released on his NORAC LABEL the DVD UZEB ¨THE LAST CONCERT¨ in 2006. The only official live concert footage ever released or to ever be released by UZEB. Featuring special guest TIGER OKOSHI on trumpet. CONVERSATIONS was released in 2007 . A beautiful collection of duets with Oliver Jones, Lorraine Desmarais, François Bourassa, Jean St-Jacques and Otmaro Ruiz.
He also toured world-wide with friends Mike Stern, Billy Cobham, Frank Gambale, Biréli Lagrène, Didier Lockwood, Tiger Okoshi, Alex Acuna, Don Alias and Gino Vanelli.
In 2007 The University of Quebec, under the aegis of the University of Quebec in Rimouski, decreed an honorary doctorate to the internationally acclaimed bassist. Important to note, he is the only musician to have ever received this honor.
In 2009, a college in Alain..s native Rivière-du-Loup announced that it would be building a music pavilion for $3.7 million and naming it École de musique Alain-Caron.
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