Steve Amirault

One Existence
Steve Amirault

With One Existence, Montreal pianist Steve Amirault is pushing ahead with a striking mid-career transformation.

For more than two decades, Amirault’s kept me and other Canadian jazz fans rapt with potent, melodic music blessed by many considerable virtues. What’s not to like about his unwavering commitment to what he plays, the size of his sound, and the big, centred feeling of how he addresses time?

In recent years, Amirault’s been broadening his art beyond his already considerable accomplishments. Turns out that the guy can sing too, and sing well.

Following four strong instrumental CDs, One Existence is Amirault’s vocal debut, featuring him singing his words to his compositions. Amirault’s definitely put himself out there, leading with his vocal delivery of personal and even vulnerable lyrics that reflect on everything from his Acadian heritage to love and companionship to the failings of our imperfect world.

If you’re one to pigeonhole, One Existence may fall in the cracks. Amirault, bassist Rémi-Jean Leblanc and drummer Samuel Joly never abandon their jazz artistry (Amirault’s Jarrett-like playing on the short, lyrical solo piano piece Hold On, Let Go is sublime), you could also consider what they’ve made to be smart pop as well. Some of it, such as Perfect World, captured in the clip, makes me think of Randy Newman. Tracks such as Heroes, a funky ode to personal perseverance, and Now That You’re Here, bring Steely Dan and Donald Fagen to mind at times. (For me, the backing vocals by Stéphanie Laliberté reinforce the comparison.) Live to Love, a sombre, knowing ballad by Amirault’s guitar-playing brother Greg, fits most tidily in the jazz box. On the plaintive folk-tinged waltzes Je vois Clémente danser and Poème des Acadiens, Amirault recalls his ancestors and where he comes from. On the first of those tracks, which opens the CD, Amirault adds homespun charm with overdubbed melodion. On the title track, Amirault indulges in some over-driven shredding with his handheld keyboard. - Peter Hum Ottawa Citizen

Steve Amirault - One Existence

Pianiste de tous les musiciens, tellement il participé à d’enregistrements et de rencontres, Steve Amirault est un interprète caméléon avec beaucoup de répondant. Avec ce nouveau disque où il chante, songeons à Tom Waits et Leonard Cohen, Steve Amirault vous fera certainement passer de belles heures. Du jazz de très haute tenue agrémentée de brins folk/blues, des idées plus que séduisantes et un sens de la mélodie qui rend jaloux. À entendre d’urgence au Upstairs (1254 rue Mackay), jeudi 3 novembre. 20h30

pour en avoir plus : www.steveamirault.com

par Christophe Rodriguez - Sortie Jazz Nights

Montréal, octobre 2011— Considéré comme l'un
des meilleurs pianistes jazz au pays, le
compositeur, et maintenant auteur, Steve
Amirault présente ONE EXISTENCE, un
cinquième album sur lequel, pour la première fois,
l'Acadien appose sa voix, en anglais et en
français, sur ses musiques originales. - quebecspot.com

Steve Amirault est un pianiste de niveau clairement mondial.

Samuel Joly est un batteur qui pourrait faire le tour de la planète.

Rémi-Jean Leblanc est un des meilleurs bassistes/contrebassistes de la nouvelle génération.

- La Presse

MEDIA QUOTES & COMMENTS

Steve Amirault
Pianist/Vocalist/Composer


“Amirault’s original style is breathtaking” Stephen Pedersen, The Chronicle Herald, Halifax.

"His approach is fresh and pure, unhindered by clichés or stylistic baggage, and his playing is remarkable, too, for its patience and respect for the sound of a piano. Jazz musicians have no higher aspiration than to play so musically and personally."
Peter Hum, The Ottawa Citizen, Canada.

(‘Breath’ ) « Ce disque en fournit la preuve éloquente, Steve Amirault est à mon sens le plus fluide et le plus lyrique des pianistes de jazz à Montréal….Amirault peut prétendre être parmi les plus accomplis au pays. « 
Alain Brunet, La Presse, Montreal.

(‘Breath’) “Critic’s Choice for Best Release” 2006:
In The Ottawa Citizen, La Presse, and The Montreal Gazette. Canada.

“One of Canada's most respected jazz pianists”. The National Arts Centre, Canada.

“ Amirault, who is preparing to enter the studio for the follow-up to Breath—but this time with a vocal album featuring original music, and the first to feature himself singing—sang Live to Love, an elegant tune on which his rich voice and gentle vibrato…may well turn out to be every bit as strong a singer as he is an instrumentalist.  “
John Kelman, All About Jazz, USA.

“… intriguing compositions, so thoroughly conceived, pieces I want to keep hearing. Amirault augments the past with a sparkling, decisive sense of placement. This is the work of a perfectionist...” (“That’s What”) Cadence Magazine.

“…an irresistible ride…” (“Breath”)
Roger Levesque, The Edmonton Journal. Edmonton.

“…a voyage of discovery from start to finish..." ( “Rendez-Vous Point “)
Irwin Block, The Montreal Gazette. Montreal.

“...Reflecting Images numbers among the most inventive piano trio sessions of 1997...” Cadence Magazine.

“…a pianist who has reached a new level of maturity and ease of expression…”
Irwin Block, The Montréal Gazette.

- Print and Internet