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Gabriel Genest

Originally from Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Gabriel Genest is a saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist, composer and arranger based in Montreal since 2013. In 2020, he completed a Master's degree in Jazz Performance at McGill University with Frank Lozano, Rémi Bolduc and Jean-Michel Pilc. He has also studied composition and arranging with Jean-Nicolas Trottier, Joe Sullivan, John Hollenbeck and John Roney.

In 2021, Genest released his debut album Triptyque, for which he received the François-Marcaurelle Award from the OFF Festival de Jazz de Montréal. He also distinguished himself at the FestiJazz de Rimouski competition in 2019, placing as a finalist with his ensemble.

Gabriel regularly collaborates as a musician, composer and arranger with other artists on the Montreal jazz scene: among others, with the groups L'Abîme (contemporary jazz), Jomalé (modern jazz influenced by Colombian music) and Claude Hurtubise (singer-songwriter, jazz, world music). In addition to writing for his own projects, his compositions and arrangements have been performed and recorded by the Université de Montréal Big Band and McGill University's Chamber Jazz Ensemble.

Gabriel is also a sought-after teacher. In addition to teaching woodwinds privately at his studio, he is musical director for Le Tonique Big Band and pedagogical director of the jazz workshop at Camp Musical du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. He also teaches mindfulness meditation since 2022.

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Gabriel Genest Saxophone

“ The music becomes soothing, giving the sensation of a true communion among the performers. (...) One of the characteristics of Triptyque is its enveloping nature. The richness of the arrangements shows that it is possible to reconcile experimentation and harmony, to juxtapose different atmospheres without any disconnect.” - Daniel Côté (Le Quotidien)(translated from French)

“Gabriel Genest envelops us in sumptuous jazz music in his new album "Triptique."” - Yohann Harvey Simard (Journal le Lac-Saint-Jean) (translated from French)

Primary Instrument

Saxophone, tenor

Location

Montreal

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

En tant qu’enseignant, ma mission est de permettre à chaque élève de développer son plein potentiel comme instrumentiste, musicien et artiste. Je crois qu’il est important de travailler ces trois facettes simultanément, en mettant davantage l’emphase sur l’une ou l’autre selon le cheminement de l’élève. Cela est d’une importance primordiale afin de maximiser le plaisir d’apprendre! Je favorise donc une approche globale qui encourage la curiosité et la créativité de l’élève