Articles by Pascal-Denis Lussier
Erik Hove Chamber Ensemble: Polygon
by Pascal-Denis Lussier
Vancouver-born, Montreal-based alto saxophonist/composer Erik Hove is a compelling emergent leader, already a busy sideman on the city's scene, involved in all sorts of projects and playing with many local heavyweights since proving himself with the award-winning urban jazz Soundclash project he formed while in New York, studying with Greg Osby, and revived in Montreal, eventually releasing an album under his name with the discerning Effendi label in 2008. With his latest, the Erik Hove Chamber Ensemble, he ...
read moreFraser Hollins: Aerial
by Pascal-Denis Lussier
One word: Grand. A fitting description of bassist Fraser Hollins' 2010 album, Aerial, his first as composer and leader, because, vaguely, in many ways, this is a grand album. Before accusing anyone of hyperbole, please read on. Montreal-based, Ottawa-raised bassist Fraser Hollins' reputation as a well-schooled, gifted accompanist and fine, inventive soloist is set and highly praised. The focus here should be that he's revealed just how serious he is about making lofty music and being a grand ...
read moreAlexandre Coté, Gary Schwartz, Jim Doxas: 3rio
by Pascal-Denis Lussier
3rio is a connected-jazz project uniting jny: Montreal-based saxophonist Alexandre Coté, guitarist Gary Schwartz, and drummer Jim Doxas (brother of saxophonist Chet Doxas), three feverishly-engaged musicians with extensive training and local to international playing experience, and whose love and deep dedication to jazz, from its roots and connections, have been firmly established, though this aspect could be deduced from this album alone, their first together, whether or not one is familiar with their other collaborations, projects, and the numerous recordings ...
read more[iks]: The Iksperience, Alive and Well
![Read "[iks]: The Iksperience, Alive and Well" reviewed by Pascal-Denis Lussier](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/15267622_10209439921626469_3243546428744032611_n.jpeg)
by Pascal-Denis Lussier
Those of you who've had the opportunity to hear the Montreal-based contemporary jazz band [iks] have, I'm certain, immediately felt one of two things: nonplussed or absolute love; it's one of those bands. Those who've felt the former and awarded this band the necessary attention along with those who've instantly felt the latter are probably reading this and thinking, “Oh yeah. It's a real shame that the band disappeared." Officially, despite the few years of ...
read moreThe $100 Guitar Project: Act 1
by Pascal-Denis Lussier
An online listing for a “no name," threadbare guitar; musicians with a distinct sense of humor; an idea, and one credit card... And a few emails later we've got something that combines the honest-but-struggling underdog, the ugly duckling, Pygmalion, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Kaspar Hauser, a Cinderella rags to riches, Herbie the Love Bug... and over forty first-rate guitarists to boot. This story has it all. It's the story of one “homely" guitar and its journey.
read moreKarl Jannuska: Streaming
by Pascal-Denis Lussier
Karl Jannuska Streaming Paris Jazz Underground Records 2010 Studies demonstrate that everyone pays more attention to a female voice--the more alluring, the better the attention--and this, regardless of gender. Singer Sienna Dahlen has an extremely alluring voice, one that could sell rainwater in a snowstorm. This may be partially responsible for Streaming's extreme attractiveness and its ability to garner attention even from those who tend to shy away from vocals. However, ...
read morePat Metheny: Orchestrion Tour, Montreal
by Pascal-Denis Lussier
Pat MethenyOrchestrion TourPlace des ArtsMontreal, CanadaOctober 12, 2010 Curiosity. More than anything else it was this that made guitarist/composer Pat Metheny's Orchestrion Tour concert at Montreal's Place des Arts complex (another stop on his successful 120-plus major-cities world tour) something to truly anticipate. I can't claim being a true Metheny fan, my leanings are more towards Bill Frisell, but, while Metheny's compositional style speaks far less to me than to ...
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 Raegele: Last Century
by Pascal-Denis Lussier
Montreal guitarist Steve Raegele's debut, Last Century, with bassist Miles Perkin and drummer Thom Gossage, marks the beginning of a career that will, no doubt, be looked back upon despite being disregarded at this stage. The album doesn't mark Raegele's launching point, however, but the due reward of a turbulent turning point, as the guitarist has abandoned his role as lead guitarist for indie rock band, The Besnard Lakes, to seek more autonomy and creative freedom. Raegele has since played ...
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