double bass
Bassist, Composer, Entrepreneur
Alain Bédard began his professional career in the 1980s, when he naturally joined various Quebec bands of the time. Since then, his participation in various major events has taken him all over the world, providing him with a fascinating experience. Recipient of the “Héron d’Or” for his contribution to the development of Quebec jazz over the past 20 years, awarded by the Festi jazz de Rimouski, the musician is recognized for his many collaborations around the world. The double bassist/composer is also founder and president of Effendi Records, which in nearly 25 years has produced 174 albums, 2,046 concerts, 125 tours around the world and won 89 awards.
Alain Bédard has produced 84 jazz albums by local and international musicians for the Effendi label. He is also the instigator of the Festival Jazz en Rafale (competition for up-and-coming musicians and Live Cam), Jazz@vue, Effendi Booking and Québec Jazz Connexion.
He has led the Auguste quartet for 27 years and the Jazzlab Orchestra octet for 20. He has received grants from CALQ, CAC, CAM and MUSICATION for over twenty years.
Originally from Beauport, a suburb of Quebec City, Alain Bédard has lived in Montreal since 1989. After switching to World Beat with the DADJE ensemble, modern dance with West Indian dancer Josianne Antourel, classical music with Marc Denis at the Université du Québec à Montréal (bacc in classical interpretation), and the UQAM Chamber Music Orchestra with violinist Martin Foster, he decided to return to jazz in 1997. He formed his own ensemble, the Auguste quartet, to perform his own compositions. The album of the same name became the spark plug for the jazz label he still runs today.
THE AUGUSTE QUARTET
Alongside Effendi, Alain Bédard pursues a highly interesting career with 2 jazz formations, including the Auguste quartet, which he has been touring for over 27 years on every continent. With this ensemble, he has given over 400 concerts and released 6 albums, including the CDs “Auguste” (1997), “Sphère Réflexion” (2006), “Bluesy Lunedi” (2008) nominated for an ADISQ and JUNO award in the Best Album of the Year 2010 category, “Homos Pugnax” (2011), “Circum continuum” (2016) and “Exalta calma” (2021). Alain with l’Auguste (in trio, quartet and quintet) has performed on numerous radio recordings for Radio-Canada, CBC, Radio-France and Radio-Belgique. He has performed alongside Québec musicians Rémi Bolduc, Frank Lozano, Pierre Tanguay, Michel Côté, Michel Lambert, Samuel Blais, François Bourassa, André Leroux and international musicians François Théberge, Donny McCaslin, Stéphane Belmondo, Julien Loureau, Ted Nash, Pascal Shumacher, Etienne Etievenard and Fulvio Albano.
JAZZLAB ORCHESTRA (Montreal)
Alain Bédard is also artistic director and musician of the Jazzlab Orchestra, which has been in existence since 2004. The Jazzlab Orchestra Montréal, a jewel in the crown of Quebec jazz, is first and foremost the triumph of a vision: that of an ensemble that has become a crossroads of exchange, a convergence of distinct viewpoints within the spectrum of a unique formation capable of taming all approaches in a high-flying journey, the fruit of a collective work of rare coherence. The JLOM defines itself as a specific group in the world of Canadian jazz. Generally made up of 8 leading musicians, the JLO explores musical writing in a variety of styles, supported each time by breathtaking composers and musicians. Always keen on originality, always committed to bringing together a core group of astonishing artists, the JLO has been developing original projects since its inception. (A distinctive musical perspective on contemporary jazz). Virtually the only group of its kind in Canada, it has released 7 albums: Réunion (2004), Désir (2006), Chance Meeting (2008), Octo-Portraits (2010), Portraits d’ici (2012), World Colors (2015), Quintessence (2019) and Loguslabusmuzikus (2022). He has realized 40 special projects with international artists and given 397 concerts in Canada, the USA and Europe in his 20 years of existence.
Latest project LOGUSLABUSMUZIKUS
ADISQ nomination for Best Jazz Album of the Year 2019
*****étoiles Couleurs jazz 2019, Actions Jazz, France, Conto Musica , Italy
****.5/5 Keith Black, Winnipeg Free Press, CA
8 ****/ 5 in various magazines including: Jazzit, Italy; Jazz Magazine, France; NYCJR, US; Shepperd, US, etc…