Jazz Articles about Francois Bourassa

Philippe Cote / Francois Bourassa: Confluence

by Dan McClenaghan
November 16, 2023

Confluence, on its surface, may come off as a minor work of art. It is the juxtaposition of just two instruments--saxophone and piano--braiding sounds together in what seems an improvisational mode. Francois Bourassa stays in the piano chair. Philippe Cote's seating arrangement shifts between tenor and soprano saxophones, piano and prepared piano. But the limitation of instrumentation in the hands of these Montreal-based artists contains mysterious depths--intricate swirls of silts appearing beneath the surface of crystalline water. Influences of modern ...

Francios Bourassa Quartet: Swirl: Live @ Piccolo

by Dan McClenaghan
July 19, 2023

Canadian jazz artist Francois Bourassa, a seasoned musician boasting eleven albums of his original music under his name, went into Studio Piccolo, Montreal in July of 2022 to record Swirl. He employs a quartet to realize his artistic vision here, a classic line-up of piano, bass, drums and a saxophonist who doubles on flute. The pianist proves himself here a writer of unorthodox beauty, crafting circuitous tunes full of intricate and unexpected twists and turns. The twelve-plus minute ...

Francois Bourassa: L'Impact du Silence

by Dan McClenaghan
May 8, 2021

Solo piano outings often serve as a baring of the artist's soul. Montreal-based pianist Francois Bourassa does just that on his tenth album, L'impact du Silence. Influenced by the piano artistry of Chick Corea, Brad Mehldau and Bill Evans, Bourassa has concentrated on small ensemble work—trios and quartets—on his previous recordings. Bringing his classical music influences into play, he transforms the blank canvas of silence into a work of introspection, notes chosen with a solemn deliberation which allows the open ...

Francois Bourassa Quartet: Number 9

by Neri Pollastri
June 13, 2019

Number 9 è il titolo del nono album a proprio nome del pianista e band leader di Montreal Francois Bourassa, alla testa del suo classico quartetto, ormai attivo da oltre diciotto anni, che lo vede a fianco del multistrumentista André Leroux, del contrabbassista Guy Boisvert e del batterista Greg Ritchie. La formazione propone un jazz moderno vario e spigliato, basato su composizioni originali di Bourassa tutte piuttosto lunghe—due sole di circa sei minuti, le altre oltre i nove—e ...

Francois Bourassa: Quid Pro Piano

by Robert J. Lewis
October 15, 2010

François Bourassa 2010 Festival International de Jazz de MontréalChapelle historique du Bon-PasteurMontreal, CanadaJune 30, 2010 When pianist/composer François Bourassa performed in the mid-1980s at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the sound he produced registered like a doubled-up fist of angry, aggressive music that, stylistically, recalled attack dog pugilist Roberto Duran, when he was at his bellicose best. And then, a chance encounter in 2008, with an up-and-coming local club singer, demonstrated ...

Francois Bourassa Quartet: Indefinite Time

by Mark F. Turner
January 16, 2005

The Francois Bourassa Quartet is not content to just play jazz straight; and thankfully for the listener, that's a good thing, as they present some forward-looking and contemplative music. The core members have performed together for over twenty years, and the ensemble is one of Canada's premier jazz groups, having thrilled audiences and impressed critics at events such as the Montreal International Jazz Festival. Led by pianist Francois Bourassa, the ensemble is rounded out by bassist Guy Boisvert, drummer Greg ...

Francois Bourassa Trio + Andre Leroux: Live

by AAJ Staff
November 1, 2001

Let me preface any commentary about this record by first saying this; it's hard. Hard as nails. Excuse the reviewer for indulgence in hype but I will venture to say this is one of the most intense jazz records these ears have heard in some time. It's that hot.

It all starts with the opening track “30 Octobre 85". If that sounds like the date a revolution went off, that's all well and good because there is definitely a minor ...