Benoît Fortier – voice
Classically trained, Benoît Fortier has now led a diverse musical career for more than 15 years. A founding member of Les Chauffeurs à Pieds, he became known on the folk music scene as the band’s singer and recorder player. In the last 13 years, he played with Les Chauffeurs à Pieds in the greatest national and international folk events including the Winnipeg Folk Festival (Canada), the BBC Radio Two Folk Festival (England), the Festival Interceltique de Lorient (France), the Skagen Folk Festival (Denmark) and the Port Fairy Folk Festival (Australia). Les Chauffeurs à Pieds proudly represented Quebec in the cultural programs of Ouagadougou 2004 Sommet de la francophonie and Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Benoît Fortier has recorded six albums with Les Chauffeurs à Pieds, three of which received nominations for a Félix-Leclerc award in the folk album category. The band also collaborated with Richard Desjardins and Gilles Vigneault on the recording of a CD.
Benoît Fortier is known for his recorder virtuosity and his unique interpretation of Quebec folk repertoire. He also works as a multi-instrumentalist in numerous projects.
Guillaume Bouchard – double bass
Guillaume Bouchard was born in Paris in 1977 from Quebecers parents, growing up in the middle of organs, harpsichord and violas da gamba. He began his own musical journey with a classical training on violin, switching to bass at ffteen. He started playing jazz in 1995, went on to study with Michel Donato and later had lessons with such masters as Oliver Jones and Jimmy Cobb.
He started to play in Québec and after a few visits in the United States, he established himself in France where he stayed for three years, recording with artists such as Bruno Micheli (2004), Ninine Garcia (2004 and 2006) and Michel Donato (2006).
His path now leads him between France and Canada as leader-composer and sideman. His albums Bleu et blanc (2011) and Chemins (2009) feature his own compositions in a quartet with Michel Côté, André Lachance and François Côté. He also played with Angelo Debarre, Dany Doriz, Wray Downes, Marc Fosset, Michel Lambert, Patrick Saussois, Reg Schwager and André White, among others.
Vincent Gagnon – piano
Vincent Gagnon is one of the most popular pianists in Quebec City’s jazz scene. Known for his subtle command of the keyboard, he has collaborated with the best artists in Quebec City and Montreal and performed with many international artists.
Invited at many jazz festivals, he has also performed in concert halls and jazz clubs in Quebec City and Montreal. As collaborator, his name appears on many recordings such as Annie Poulain’s albums (eponym, Saoûlée à l’autre, Alinéas disques – Jazzons Québec disques SMC and André Larue (Larue du jazz, disques Effendi).
Vincent Gagnon launched his frst album, Bleu cendre, in September 2009. At the crossroad of acoustic jazz and impressionistic music, Bleu cendre bears harmonious and gently contorned melodies leaving room for improvisations that form the foundation of the quintet. The album was fnalist for an Opus award (best jazz album 2009-2010).
Vincent Gagnon won the Prix résidence – Ville de Québec de la Bourse RIDEAU in 2010, which gives him access to Quebec City’s Palais Montcalm. He was the recipient of the Prix Etoiles-Galaxie de Radio-Canada/CBC Galaxy Rising Star Award at the 2009 Festival International de Jazz de Montréal. Vincent launched in 2012 his second album : Himalaya.