Started playing the saxophone at age 10. Studied classical music until 18 years old at the Montreal Conservatory of Music. While studying classical music, won several first and second place awards in a few regional, provincial and national music competitions(A.R.A.M, Festival des harmonies du Québec, Joliette Competition, Canada Music Competition, etc). Won first place in a provincial competition 2 years in a row, as a soloist and with his saxophone quartet. Later switched to jazz at McGill University for a bachelor's degree in jazz performance. While attending McGill studied with Janis Steprans, André Leroux, Rémi Bolduc, Frank Lozano and Jan Jarczyk. Performed with Phil Woods, Greg Osby, Dave Douglas, Pat LaBarbera, The Joe Sullivan Big Band, with Yoel Diaz opening for Arturo Sandoval and Eddi Palmieri. Performed in France, Belgium, Mexico, China, Canada and the United States. Played with the CJAD Big-Band at the Montreal Jazz festival and the Ottawa Jazz Festival, was awarded the Honour Medal for the most outstanding musician at the MusicFest Canada, was also selected to be part of the National Youth All-Star Jazz Ensemble and the Yamaha All Star Band. Was lead alto of the McGill Jazz Orchestra for 4 years in a row and was awarded a scholarship from McGill University. Participated in many events at the annual IAJE, as an invited group and also for the Banff Centre for the Arts as an invited group and clinician for the Rocky Mountain Festival. Was also part of the Banff International Jazz and Creative Music Workshop. Worked with the likes of Greg Osby, Dave Douglas, Vijay Iyer, Mark Dresser, etc. Member of the Nota Bene Saxophone Quartet, created more than 15 new pieces from canadian composers and was broadcasted more than 5 times on Radio-Canada since its formation. The group was also broadcasted in Belgium while on tour on the RTBF (Radio Télévision Belge de langue Française
and also has a cd coming out for the fall 2007. The Sax quartet will be releasing their debut cd in march 2008! Just finished recording an album with the Samuel Blais Quartet, the cd will come out in February featuring Morgan Moore(bs), Paul Shrofel(pn), Robbie Kuster(dr). Was awarded a scholarship from Manhattan School of Music for the masters program, as well as a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts, and a J.B.C.-Watkins award for 2 years in a row. Also just finished recording with the group "BombX" led by bassist Nicolas-Letman Burtinovic and which will come out in the next 6 months. Thanks for reading this boring bio info!!
Salut Sam, Comment se passe la vie au soleil? Ici 4 juillet, on est alle voir le feux d'artifice avec Sidonie... Georg vient le 11 et L'album BOMBX sortira dans 2 semaines
J'écoutais la radio (Énergie 94,3) en me levant ce matin et ils ont parlé de ta douce et de ses Triplettes. Ils ont fait joué un extrait de son album et n'avaient que de belles choses à dire sur elle !
J'aurais aimé faire un tour te voir au Festival, mais je suis malade today, j'ai callé malade...
Pas grave, je vais me reprendre, j'imagine que tu passes l'été parmi nous ?
well yeah i've heard that it's tone that matters, not gear, but still...apparently a good investment if i put money into a mouthpiece...hmmm what do you suggest? keep in touch :) roxy
ok...i'll admit the bio info was getting draggy but at least YOU admitted it first :P let's talk shop sometime, i'm still trying to pursue a search for my own sound. hope to hear for some inspiration ~ roxy
