Aurélien Tomasi – Clarinet, Soprano, Tenor, and Bass Saxes, Percussion, Choir
Mathieu Langlois – Alto and Tenor Saxes, Flamenco Guitar, Choir
Jeremy Gignoux – Violin, Viola, Wurlitzer, Choir
Jiajia Li – Flute, Piccolo, Dixi, Choir
FOONYAP – Violin, Voice
Sébastien Leblanc – Guitars, Cobza, Choir
Hugo Blouin – Upright Bass, Percussion, Choir
Robin Tufts – Drums, Bodhran, Derbuka, Cajon, Percussion

Calgaréal is a dynamic new Canadian cross-country collective. The project fuses together two distinct musical scenes; that of Calgary, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains; and Montréal, on the St. Laurence River. The band was spearheaded by violinist Jeremy Gignoux, a former Montrealer now based in Calgary, who saw an opportunity to connect two groups of musicians with a mutual interest in traditional music and improvisation.

Vanishing Points is the group’s first full length studio album. Each piece is a showcase for the respective composer’s personality and their unique set of influences – music from France, Québec, China, Spain, the Balkans – plus jazz, new music, and even a song inspired by the speech patterns in a soup commercial.

Each composition navigates around questions of identity – be they individual or cultural. These songs are about developing a sense of belonging, and how people from totally different backgrounds can communicate with  each other.

The result is a completely unique musical journey  that transports the listener from folk dance parties to free improvisation shows in industrial spaces; from hazy jazz clubs to steamy flamenco concerts; all of it played brilliantly by an incredible 8-piece band. In addition to the longer pieces, the album is also peppered with short dialogues, each between a different musician from Calgary and one from Montréal.

calgareal.ca

Release Date: Friday, October 25th 2024