The Squid's Ear Magazine


Houle, Francois: Aerials (Drip Audio)


 

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Francois Houle-clarinets


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UPC: 778224215523

Label: Drip Audio
Catalog ID: MAX21552
Squidco Product Code: 8436

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2006
Country: Canada
Packaging: Jewel Tray

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Clarinetist François Houle has established himself as one of Canada's finest musicians. His performances and recordings transcend the stylistic borders associated with his instrument in all of the diverse musical spheres he embraces: improvised, electro-acoustic, new music, classical and jazz. Aerials is a set of improvisations exploring the clarinet's uncharted territories. Developed during a five-week residency in Italy at the 15th century Castello Civitella Ranieri, the music is complex and seductive, taking the listener deep inside the instrument. Technically, this recording taps into the clarinetist's inclination for the unexpected; from disembodied clarinets played simultaneously to flute-like melodies. Examining the way the instrument "reacts" to various acoustical spaces, such as inside a grand piano, this program is virtuosity coupled with stunning lyricism.

François Houle has been nominated for West Coast Music Awards, Juno Awards and was listed in Down Beat Magazine as "Talent Deserving Wider Recognition" in it's annual critics poll. He has released more than a dozen albums of his own music and has recorded and performed with other great artists such as Dave Douglas, Jerry Granelli, Joelle Leandre, Marilyn Crispell, Evan Parker, John Butcher, Michael Moore, Georg Graewe and Myra Melford. His CD "Dice Thrown" with French pianist Benoît Delbecq was awarded "Best Jazz Album of 2002" by France's Jazzman Magazine. Labels Houle has recorded for include Red Toucan (Montréal), Songlines (Vancouver), between-the-lines (Frankfurt), Hat Art (Zurich), empreintes DIGITALes (Montréal), Spool (Scarborough), and Nuscope (Dallas)."-Drip Audio


Artist Biographies

Francois Houle (born August 17, 1961, Lachine): "I am a Canadian clarinetist who embraces pretty much any music where the clarinet is present, or has a bit of profile or history. Although I am classically trained, I have not followed the traditional career path associated with the kind of classical training I came out of.

I studied at McGill University with Emilio Iacurto (the legendary, long-time principal clarinetist of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra) and at Yale University with Keith Wilson (whose contribution to the clarinet world is unparalleled). I've had the privilege of participating in masterclasses with some of the world's finest clarinet players, including David Shifrin, Richard Stoltzman and Alan Hacker.

It was Alan Hacker who actually opened the door for me to explore new technical and musical possibilities on the clarinet. Having been part of Fires of London and a close collaborator with composers such as Peter Maxwell-Davies, Alan's insatiable curiosity and deep scholarship inspired me to look for my own personal approach. Following a brief visit to his home in the UK in the late 80's I spent some time in Paris practicing and researching clarinet new music repertoire. At that time I still didn't know what I was going to do with my life, except that I had a deep desire to "make it" in the music scene. It was during this period that I discovered the music of Steve Lacy.

Steve Lacy's career actually began as a dixieland clarinetist, eventually shifting to the soprano saxophone, an instrument very few jazz musicians had investigated since the great Sydney Bechet due to its range, smaller embouchure and faulty intonation. Steve dedicated his life to bringing this instrument at the forefront of creative music (legend has it that he turned John Coltrane on to the soprano's expressive qualities).

At the time I had one occasion of hearing him play live at the New Morning jazz club, and bought a newly released duo recording called "Paris Blues" (Owl Records, 1987) with the great Gil Evans on piano. Heading back to Canada, that was the only music I could listen to for quite a while, being transfixed by Lacy's and Evan's telepathic playing. It was the first time that I had found a jazz performance that rivalled with the finest chamber music making I was then more familiar with. It was a game changer as far as I was concerned. It opened the door for further exploration and discoveries; Anthony Braxton, John Carter, Jimmy Giuffre, all important figures in the development of creative music on the clarinet. It is interesting and deplorable to note that not once were these names ever mentioned in all my years of university clarinet seminars and lessons. It was only a few years later that he agreed to meet with me for one on one lessons at his Paris apartment. His main advice to me was to stick with the clarinet, and forge ahead with my musical thoughts and ideas, no matter how difficult the road ahead may be.

After a stint at the Banff Centre, where I worked on my technique and practiced improvisation (the centre has a great library with an extensive jazz and creative music collection), I relocated to Vancouver in the winter of 1989, where I began playing on the creative music scene and met many musicians who eventually became fantastic collaborators; Claude Ranger, Roger Baird, Tony Wilson, amongst many others. At the time, the New Orchestra Workshop Society was approaching its golden years, with the founding of the legendary Glass Slipper, the "go to" venue for creative music on the West Coast. The Vancouver Jazz Festival was well on its way to establishing itself as one of the most innovative international music happening, not only programming some of the biggest names in the business, such as Miles Davis and Wynton Marsalis, but also the most creative musicians on the planet; Cecil Taylor, Evan Parker, John Zorn, Dave Douglas, Anthony Braxton, William Parker, and a whole sleuth of European 1st generation of improvisors such as Misha Mengelberg, Han Benning, ICP, AMM, and the Italian Instabile Orchestra. It was at the 1992 Jazz Festival that I had my first high profile gig, my first band "Et Cetera" sharing the bill with the Steve Lacy Sextet!

As I was making my first steps in the improvised community, I also became involved with the contemporary music scene, collaborating with composers such as John Oliver and Paul Dolden, as well as freelancing with established organizations; Vancouver New Music, Vancouver Pro Musica. In 1992 I became a founding member of the Standing Wave ensemble. My activities in both creative music and new music allowed me to forge a strong profile, eventually expanding to collaborations with international musicians, and getting international touring opportunities. Some long standing collaborations were forged during that fruitful period, with luminaries such as Benoît Delbecq and Joëlle Léandre among others.

I have since been constantly involved in the advancement of creative music, pursuing collaborative projects with composers and musicians of all persuasions. My work continues to test the boundaries, looking for new vistas and connections with listeners everywhere."

-Francois Houle Website (https://www.francoishoule.ca/about)
3/25/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Double Jeux 1:31

2. Circulaire 9:34

3. Liege 3:02

4. Pour Sidney 3:15

5. Broken Promises 3:35

6. Song F 6:02

7. Civitella 4:18

8. Persina 2:54

9. Tuilerie 5:04

10. Pour Jimmy 4:56

11. Siffler 2:07

12. Song N 2:56

13. Allora 2:22

14. Neume 0:58

15. Calzadilla 2:34

16. Per Sonare 2:59

17. Méandre 6:59

18. Song C 4:34

Related Categories of Interest:

Improvised Music
July 2007
Free Improvisation

Search for other titles on the label:
Drip Audio.


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