Montreal, aside from hosting the world’s largest jazz festival, also harbors, like many other cities, a small yet resilient community of local musicians whose passion for jazz keeps the music alive all year long. One of the more notable figures of this scene is bassist Alex Lefaivre, member of the Parc X Trio, one of the city’s well-established bands, and founding member of Multiple Chord Music (MCM), an independent jazz label that currently holds 19 artists on its roster and has released over 30 recordings. As if that wasn’t enough, Lefaivre will be releasing YUL tomorrow, the debut album of his new quartet featuring Greg Osby disciple Erik Hove on alto saxophone, Nicolas Ferron on guitar, and Mark Nelson on drums.
Taking its name from Montreal’s airport code, YUL takes the listener on a cinematic trip through the city, where dreamy, hazy summer vibes are intertwined with a gritty, metropolitan edge. “I’ve always loved Montreal, and I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of its vibrant culture. There is a particular kind of creative energy here that I have yet to see anywhere else. It’s no surprise that artists from all around the globe flock here to push themselves and their craft, all while enjoying a certain joie de vivre inspired by the city’s French roots. This record is inspired by the city I grew up in and still choose to live in. I’ve spent many years walking and driving through its streets, riding its buses and subways, finding my muse in all of its nooks and crannies”, says Lefaivre.
Like the city it’s inspired by, YUL is a pleasantly laid-back opus, a perfect soundtrack for the blazing summer we’re having. Demonstrating a tremendous amount of maturity and confidence, the band can rest assured that they have done our city proud. You can stream “The Righteous”, the lead single from YUL below. The album drops tomorrow and can be purchased via Bandcamp.
Sébastien Hélary co-founded Nextbop in 2009 with the objective of introducing modern jazz music to a younger generation of fans. Aside from music, his other main obsession is food, particularly ramen and other Japanese delicacies.
