Dorian Recordings
DOR-90319
A JAZZ TRIBUTE TO FRED ASTAIRE
The Top Hat Trio
Stéphane Allard, Violin, Baritone Violin
Marc Villemure, Guitars - Daniel Lessard, Bass
Swing isn't normally synonymous with solo strings, but the Top Hat Trio from Canada's Quebec province brings a fresh, new perspective to jazz favorites. Violinist Stéphane Allard's innovative approach to jazz is apparent, from his vocal-like phrasing down to his baritone violin - a small viola restrung to add a mellow warmth to the recording. His improvisations sound similar to tenor sax, with the added flexibility of a string instrument. Allard's style blends well with jazz guitarist Marc Villemure and bassist Daniel Lessard. Together, they deliver a unique spectrum of rhythm and color. Inspired by the Hollywood dance legend, Fred Astaire, listeners can relive the Golden Age of Hollywood with these wonderful interpretations of popular swing tunes by Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin.
- Catherine Runge
The Artist
Stéphane Allard, is well known and established in the field of classical music, having appeared as a violinist on Dorian's Les Chants d'Eros: The Era of Eros, an album featuring vocalist Claire Gignac. He also is featured in a forthcoming Dorian album, The Romance of the Cinema. Stéphane has toured extensively in Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Brazil, Germany, France and the United States with various ensembles and orchestras, including the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the contemporary jazz ensemble, Icarus. Born in Quebec, Allard started playing the violin at age 7. At age 15, while attending the Music Conservatory of Quebec, he decided he wanted to become a full-time musician. After graduating from the conservatory, Allard attended the renowned jazz college, Berklee School of Music in Boston (1980-85), where his principal violin teacher was Matt Glaser. He also took private improvisation lessons from acclaimed saxophonist, Jerry Bergonzi. In recognition of his outstanding achievement during his studies at Berklee, Allard was presented with the Stéphane Grappelli Jazz Masters Award. …
Marc Villemure, like Allard, attended the Music Conservatory of Quebec and Berklee school. A jazz guitarist with an ear for rhythm in the tradition of a Barney Kessel, Marc has studied with Lome Lofstky, Jan Jarcyzk, Bob Mover, and jazz guitar legends Joe Pass and Jim Hall. Villemure has appeared at a variety of jazz festivals in Montreal, Ottawa, Boulogne-Billancourt, France and elsewhere in Europe, presenting his compositions to international audiences. The contemporary jazz band Icarus, founded by Villemure, won the Alcan jazz contest for eastern Canada at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 1987. Since then, the group has recorded two albums. …
Daniel Lessard, a bassist, started his jazz career very young, performing jazz piano concerts. He also attended the Music Conservatory of Quebec, focusing for three years on the study of the bass under the tutelage of Francois Bernier, and studied for 18 months at Berklee school. A prolific performer and composer, Lessard has created recorded works that unite music and poetry in the presence of visual art. … In a career spanning more than 30 years, Lessard has accompanied most of the noted jazz players in Quebec Province, as well as internationally known jazz players Kenny Burrell, Fred Hersch, Joe Pass and Don Menza. …
- Wayne Thompson
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1. Lady be good (George & Ira Gershwin) 3:57 2. Isn't This a Lovely Day to be Caught in the Rain? (Irving Berlin) 4:56 3. Lets Call the Whole Thing Off (George & Ira Gershwin) 4:30 4. I've got my eyes on you (Cole Porter) 3:14 5. Puttin' on the Ritz (Irving Berlin) 4:12 6. I Concentrate on You (Cole Porter) 7:03 7. Fascinating Rhythm (George & Ira Gershwin) 3:23 8. Night and Day (Cole Porter) 4:41 9. A Fine Romance (Jerome Kern/Dorothy Fields) 6:21 10. The Way You Look Tonight (Jerome Kern/Dorothy Fields) 3:38 11. Cheek to Cheek (Irving Berlin) 3:44 12. Top Hat, White Tie and Tails (Irving Berlin) 2:37 13. Let's Face the Music and Dance (Irving Berlin) 5:01 Total Time 57:24 |
Dorian Recordings & Dorian Discovery
are distributed in Australia by Rockian Trading