François Bourassa—now with ten albums of original music under his belt—has become an ambassador for Canada’s thriving jazz community at an international level. A paragon of consistency and evolution and inspired by a diversity of sources, his award-winning eponymous quartet has been a staple of Montreal’s artistic landscape for more than 25 years. Since its creation, the group has featured bassist Guy Boisvert, saxophonist André Leroux and more recently young drummer Guillaume Pilote.

"What is important to me in my artistic process is: integrity, risk-taking, interaction and complicity between the musicians; and being at the service of the music”– François Bourassa

Number 9 (excerpt from Howard Mandel's liner notes)

On Number 9, François Bourassa's ninth album of original music for his own band, the Montreal-born pianist and empathic colleagues allude to formative influences, serendipitous encounters, and places from his past. That might suggest a highly reflective program, and the seven performances here certainly convey thoughtfulness. But the true focus of composer- improviser Bourassa and his ensemble, from beginning to end of the record, is in the moment, now. Sensuous imagination supported by sterling technique... an adventure-strewn, winding road that tours vistas and waysides of a collective mindscape, strikingly different at every go 'round, each listen.

The music of Number 9 cycles from melodic lyricism to pure sonics, from a swinging basis to open space, from probing inquiry to fervent self-expression to satisfying resolutions, sometimes conclusive. There is finesse and passion, flintiness and warmth, formal structures, and free association. Some of Number 9 is simply dreamy. Bourassa and company make these diversities all of one piece, aspects of an ensemble sensibility. The quartet covers a lot of ground from a complex of perspectives, new details unveiled with each turn of the ear. Return, repeat, replay, dig in, lay back. A world of music comes clear.

francoisbourassa.com