Rachel Therrien
Montréal, Quebec, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2009 | INDIE | AFM
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Montreal-based trumpeter and composer Rachel Therrien's second album, Home Inspiration is a salutary reminder of something that the American jazz scene doesn't always seem to acknowledge—there's a thriving, young and imaginative jazz scene up north, in Canada.
All the tunes on Home Inspiration are originals, with Therrien taking composer credit for around half of them. They hark back to the glory days of the big bands and to the bebop era, they're rooted in more contemporary sounds as well.
Handclaps open proceedings on "To John" before Simon Pagé kicks in on electric bass. Therrien's first appearance is lyrical and melodic: a soft, mid-register and mid-tempo phrase that's soon doubled by Benjamin Deschamps' alto sax. It's a pleasingly typical introduction to Therrien's approach—lyricism and flow seem to be crucial to her playing, giving her the ability to craft long, graceful, lines on trumpet and flugelhorn that
"Ploma"—written by Pagé and Damien Levasseur—shifts things up a notch, tempo-wise but retains the emphasis on lyricism. Pagé's playing is busier and a touch funkier, but still controlled. Therrien's solo gives her a chance to display her own control and precision at an impressively quick tempo. Keyboardist Charles Trudel comps on electric keys but also adds some effects—enough to give more tonal variation but not so much as to become intrusive.
"Lost" and its slightly longer alternative take, move things into more left-field territory, Trudel's effects taking a bigger share of things while the music shifts between straight-ahead and freer sections. Interesting and not without a touch of humor, but it seems a little out of kilter with the rest of the tunes. Trudel's "Thelxinoe" does fit: a melancholy piano/flugelhorn duet, its mood set and extended by Trudel's piano introduction and Therrien's considered, empathic, phrases. "La Soledad" is equally gentle, but makes use of the full band—Deschamps judges his alto playing beautifully, crucial to the tune's melancholy romance.
"Last Inspiration" moves close to jazz fusion, especially with Trudel's electric keyboard sound. "Out Of A Dream" is rooted in bebop—Therrien and Deschamps' unison phrasing is crisp, precise and swinging: the rhythm players, on acoustic instruments, exude energy. "Paradis" is another swinger, moving between a relaxed, trumpet-led groove and a slinkier electric bass and keys section.
As the album progresses it becomes clearer and clearer that Therrien's stylistic range is wide—noticeable wider than many younger jazz players. More importantly, she's not merely a stylistic dilettante: there's an authenticity in these tunes that reflects understanding and emotional connection as well as technical proficiency. Therrien has all three. In spades.
Track Listing: To John; Ploma; Lost; Thelxinoe; Whatever; Paradis; Last Inspiration; La Soledad; Parallele; Out of a Dream; Lost (alt. take); Parallele (alt. take).
Personnel: Rachel Therrien: trumpet, flugelhorn; Benjamin Deschamps: alto saxophone; Charles Trudel: piano and keyboard; Simon Pagé: electric and acoustic bass; Alain Bourgeois: drums. - Bruce Lindsay
Canadian trumpeter Rachel Therrien's second release as a leader Home Inspiration, clearly establishes the Montreal native, even at this early stage of her career, as an accomplished composer and improviser. She contributes six of the ten originals on this cinematically inspired album, all of which have intricately constructed and memorable thematic frameworks.
The delightfully eccentric "Lost" opens with Therrien's unaccompanied preface to the stimulatingly chaotic but subtly orchestrated ensemble play that follows. Angular rhythmic flourishes underscore Therrien and alto saxophonist Benjamin Deschamps' concordant and edgy staccato phrases. Midway, electronic sound effects set a futuristic ambience filled with overlapping individual monologues that maintain a strong melodic sense. The inclusion of an alternate take of this engaging and offbeat piece demonstrates the vibrant spontaneity that distinguishes each version of the recording.
There is plenty of room for individual impromptu expression within each tune. The funk- infused "Paradis" for instance features pianist and keyboarist Charles Trudel who lays down a soulful groove and creates a dramatic ethereal atmosphere. Therrien's meandering yet logical improvisation embellishes the main motif and elaborates on it with nimble brilliance. Drummer Alain Bourgeois concludes the track with a passionate solo filled with thrilling unpredictability and elegant discipline.
Therrien demonstrates her shimmering, lyricism on the Latin-esque "La Soledad." Reminiscent of soundtracks of Westerns, the impressionistic composition showcases Deschamps' adroitness as an instrumentalist as he extemporizes with a raconteur's with and eloquence.
On Deschamps' own "Parallèle" (an alternate take of which is also included) Therrien's mellow, bittersweet tone expands in an inventive soliloquy over splashes over Trudel's chiming, dynamic keys. Bassist Simon Page maintains the mysterious mood with his agile and darkly hued reverberations as he takes his turn in the spotlight.
The close camaraderie among the members of the quintet is evident throughout but nowhere as exquisitely as on Trudel's "Thelxinoe." This intimate and melancholic duet between him and Therrien brims with poetry as his acoustic piano lines cascade gracefully around her tender articulate horn.
This stylish and captivating record is satisfyingly inventive and quite enjoyable. It is a vibrant slice of modern, creative music that possesses a wide appeal because of its simultaneous accessibility and artistic integrity.
Track Listing: To John; Ploma; Lost; Thelxinge; Whatever; Paradis; Last Inspiration; La Soledad; Parallele; Out of a Dream; Lost (alt. take); Parallele (alt. take).
Personnel: Rachel Therrien: trumpet, flugelhorn; Benjamin Deschamps: alto saxophone; Charles Trudel: piano and keyboard; Simon Page: electric and acoustic bass; Alain Bourgeois: drums. - Hrayr Attarian
Pas évident d’être compositrice et musicienne de jazz ces temps-ci au Québec ou partout ailleurs tant qu’à faire… C’est pourtant le défi qu’a relevé Rachel Therrien il y a quelques années et, après la naissance de son premier bébé baptisé «On Track» en septembre 2011, cette jeune, courageuse et brillante trompettiste originaire de Rimouski persiste et signe sans aucun trac et avec mucho brio en lançant son nouvel album, «Home Inspiration» le 7 octobre dernier au légendaire Quai des Brumes. Faisant preuve d’une approche différente et moins ethnique de ce son premier opus, déjà très prometteur, enregistré au terme d’un séjour de plusieurs mois à Cuba où elle étudia à l’Institut supérieur des arts de La Havane et profitant des expériences acquises lors de voyages en Colombie ainsi qu’à Manhattan sans compter ses nombreuses prestations dans divers grands festivals de jazz canadiens, Rachel Therrien est en train de devenir une représentante signifiante de la scène jazz québécoise…
Savamment et subtilement accompagnée par son quintette composé de Benjamin Deschamps au saxophone alto, Charles Trudel aux piano & claviers, Simon Pagé à la basse électrique et à la contrebasse ainsi que par Alain Bourgeois à la batterie, Rachel Therrien fait sonner sa trompette d’une façon à la fois douce, intime, incisive et même parfois percutante qui n’est pas sans rappeler le souffle et les lèvres d’un certain Miles Davis. La section rythmique omniprésente sur tous les morceaux brille par son apport créatif qui est tout sauf de l’accompagnement. La précision et l’harmonie des arrangements pour cuivres sont délicieuses et les enveloppes électroniques contribuées par les claviers sont carrément renversantes. Tous ces éléments confondus font en sorte que «Home Inspiration» est une collection on ne peut plus heureuse de dix morceaux qui, quoique différents les uns des autres en nature, composition et exécution, font en sorte que lorsqu’on l’écoute, on glisse dans un bien-être qui nous rapproche de qui nous sommes, un peu comme une «inspiration à la maison» quoi. Alors, merci Rachel et bon vent, c’est le cas de le dire! - Dan Behrman
Le deuxième album est-il déjà celui de la maturité pour la jeune trompettiste et cornettiste de jazz québécoise?
Difficile de ne pas remarquer Rachel Therrien sur la scène montréalaise. Toujours pleine d’énergie, la Rimouskoise a multiplié les collaborations dans les domaines de la fusion et des musiques du monde avant de se concentrer sur son propre projet et d’enregistrer l’album Home inspiration. Celui-ci fait suite à On track, son premier opus prometteur, paru en 2011.
Terreaux fertiles
Des séjours prolongés à Banff, à New York et surtout à La Havane, où elle s’est perfectionnée pendant une année entière, ont laissé des traces dans son jeu et dans son écriture, comme le magnifique La Soledad, ce faux boléro à deux voix. N’empêche que ce nouveau disque est plus corsé et moins exotique que le précédent.
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http://www.icimusique.ca/#!genre/jazz/actualite/496/rachel-therrien-home-inspiration - Ralph Boncy
Discography
Home Inspiration - Rachel Therrien (2014)
On Track - Rachel Therrien (2011)
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Bio
“Montreal-based trumpeter and composer Rachel Therrien's second album, Home Inspiration is a salutary reminder of something that the American jazz scene doesn't always seem to acknowledge—there's a thriving, young and imaginative jazz scene up north, in Canada.” - Bruce Lindsay, All About Jazz Trumpeter, composer, and bandleader, Rachel Therrien already boasts an enviable CV. Known for her very personal signature, she has developed a reputation as a highly-skilled, versatile and creative artist. Winner of the 2015 TD Grand Prize Jazz Award at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, where she presented her second album Home Inspiration, “an emotionally charged show filled improv and exceptional musical orchestration” -FIJM, Therrien is preparing to launch, this coming year (2016), her 3rd and 4th albums. Native of Rimouski (eastern Quebec, Canada), Rachel is considered one of the most promising jazz musicians in the Québec music scene, playing in a variety of music styles and enriching her talent through experiences from many different cultures. She has shared stages in clubs and concerts all around North and South America as well as the Caribbean with such world-class musicians as Bryan Lynch, David Buchbinder, Pedrito Martinez, Julie Lamontagne, Frédéric Alarie, Tylor Mitchel, Benito Gonzales, Vic Vogel, Yacouba Sissoko, Geraldo Piloto, Achilles Liarmakopoulos, Michel Legrand, Carole Welsman, Alex Bellegarde, and great music groups as Nomadic Massive, Mariachi Flor de Toloache, Wesli Band, The Franklin Electric, Skah Shah, Klimax, Orquesta Anacaona. She also worked for Canadian TV Show “Belle et Bum” which lead her to share the stage with great artist such as Marie-Josée Lord, Alex Nevsky, Mara Tremblay, Daniel Boucher, Stéphanie Bédard, Lisa Leblanc, Joseph Edgar, and New York based famous folk singer Joseph Arthur. Therrien holds a bachelor’s degree in jazz performance from University of Montreal, a degree in arts management and a certificate from Instituto Supérior de Arte, in Havana-Cuba, where she studied classical trumpet, latin jazz, percussion and Cuban music history. She was also selected to participate in 2012, at the Banff Center Jazz and Creative Music workshop held by Dave Douglas and Vdjay Iyer. She has worked with large number of mentors and teachers including Ron DiLauro, Elpidio Chappotin, Laurie Frink, John McNeil, Yasek Manzano, Jonathan Finlayson, Clarence Penn, Michael Rodrigues, Aeoife O’Donnovan, Dave Douglass, Ralph Alessi, Emilio del Monte, George Rubio, and many more. In 2010, Rachel started her own Quintet with Simon Page on bass, Charles Trudel on Piano, Alain Bourgeois on drums and Benjamin Deschamps on sax. Her debut album, “On Track” released independently in 2011 got great reviews in the Quebec press, and stood as #1 on “Radio Canada-Espace Musique” chart for more than a week. They also had the opportunity to play at Havana Jazz-Plaza Festival. Since the release of her second album, “Home Inspiration” (2014), on the artist-managed new record label, Multiple Chord Music, she has toured as a band leader in Mid-Ouest USA, Mid-Canada (Ontario), and New York City, in a list of clubs and Festivals including “55Bar (NYC), Andy’s Jazz Club (Chicago), The Rex (Toronto), The Jazz Room (Waterloo), and Upstairs (Montreal). She played to sold out and near-sold out crowds, and has made many new friends and fans along the way. This year, she will be touring in the US, releasing her new afro-colombian inspired jazz album, “Pensamiento”, that was recorded in Bogota, Colombia, in 2014. She will start the production of a third record with her Montreal Quintet, thanks to the TD Grand Prize Jazz Award.
As well as being recognized as an artist that can’t be ignored, Rachel is also a key player on the Montreal Jazz scene, helping it to grow and expand its frontiers by being an example for emerging musicians and actively working for the jazz community. In 2013, she founded the Montreal Jazz Composers Series, bringing more than 200 musician-composers from Canada and the US to showcase their original music and play together for the first time in front of crowd of mainly young non-musicians during Montreal Int’l Jazz Festival. She believes that “Jazz is a philosophy of conversation between musicians from different backgrounds through improvisation, and that we, as musicians, it is our mission to keep jazz alive and to make sure that our generation of non-musicians live the experience and appreciate that unspoken language.”
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