Sébastien Parent – Drums, Percussion, Programming, Synthesizers
Woodwinds: Louis Plouffe (Alto Saxophone), Florence Beauquier-Léger (Alto Sax, Flute on 2),
Elisabeth Lajoie (Tenor Sax, Clarinet on 2), Jeremy Alie Leon (Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax on 6), Nathan Bissonnette, Baritone Sax
Trumpet: Annie Lu (Feature on 2), Nathan Viens, Daniella Heidi Carbert, Nicolas Riverin
Trombone: Éric Dubé, Margaret Donovan, Morèna Jacques, Loïc Turgeon-Roy (bass tbn)
Piano: Cédric De Saint-Rome
Electric Guitar: Antoine Tousignant, Patrick Bourdon (solo on 6)
Electric Bass: Henri Bouchard (1, 3-6, 8)
Double Bass: Oscar Robertson (2, 5, 7)

Projet Seb Parent is the eponymous debut album from 24-year-old Montreal drummer Sébastien Parent. While it was written with the rich tradition of big band music in mind, this music contains an eclectic range of stylistic influences from the genres that Parent grew up listening to, including rock, classical, neo-soul, country, trap and bossa nova. Each piece on the album represents a unique period in Parent’s young life.

The album was recorded entirely during the depths of the Covid pandemic, between the summer of 2021 and winter of 2022. However, this was not a conventional studio recording: each of the 18 musicians recorded their parts separately, at home in isolation. For some artists, this process would seem impossible due to the lack of realtime communication, but Parent relished the challenge.

Parent never intended for the album to be a showcase for his own playing first and foremost. This record is a celebration of 18 unique creative voices assembled together during a trying time. It doesn’t matter that the musicians recorded their parts separately: in fact, that distance only serves to reinforce the power that music has to unite people.

projetsebparent.bandcamp.com

Release Date: Friday, June 2nd 2023