Normand Guilbeault On This Month’s Groove – The No Treble Podcast

Normand Guilbeault is this month’s conversation on Groove – The No Treble Podcast.

You can listen the new episode right here: Groove – The No Treble Podcast – Episode #104 – Normand Guilbeault.

Who is Normand Guilbeault?

Immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythm of a maestro’s journey, Normand Guilbeault, who has been at the heartbeat of Canada’s jazz and improvised music sphere for over 40 years. This virtuoso double bassist, composer, and multi-talented artist continues to command respect, being both the puppeteer and star player of a plethora of ground-breaking projects. His finesse on the bass strings, coupled with his leadership in crafting musical narratives, has made him a sought-after accompanist for both homegrown and international artists. This has also earned him a string of accolades and recognition from esteemed institutions like the Canada Council for the Arts. Norm’s musical romance with Montreal’s jazz royalty, such as Nelson Symonds and Bernard Primeau, are well documented. He himself became the headliner in the late ’80s, with his ensemble even bagging the Du Maurier Jazz Prize at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 1994. A few years later, The Jazz Report honored him with “Acoustic Jazz Group of the Year.” International artists, like Paul Bley and Kurt Rozenwinkel, were enchanted by Norm’s distinctive style and rhythmic prowess. Quebec’s eclectic creators, including Karen Young and René Lussier, became regular collaborators. Norm’s Anishinaabe-Algonquin Métis heritage is a proud melody that plays throughout his life’s symphony. His contributions to the First Nations art scene are significant, involving dynamic collaborations with talents like filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin and poet Natasha Kanapé Fontaine. Besides music, his social work resonates with the First Nations’ cause, manifesting in his tenure as an Indigenous liaison officer at a federal penitentiary and his current role as a spiritual advisor at the Waseskun Healing Center. Noteworthy works like ‘Hommage à / to Mingus and Kawandak’ echo his inspired artistic endeavors. And let’s not forget his role as a co-founder of the Montreal Off-Jazz Festival, adding another vibrant string to his bow. This kaleidoscope of daring endeavors affirms Norm as an indispensable force in jazz’s vibrant music scene. Decades into his career, his music continue to jazz up the canvas of our musical landscape. Whether he’s putting music to the poetry of Jack Kerouac or bringing his Tribute To Mingus at this summer’s Montreal International Jazz Festival. Enjoy the conversation…

What is Groove – The No Treble Podcast?

This is an ambitious effort. This will be a fascinating conversation. Our goal at Groove is to build the largest oral history of bass players. Why Groove? Most of the content about the bass revolves around gear, playing techniques, and more technical chatter. For us, bassists are creative artists with stories to tell. They are a force to be reckon with. These are the stories and conversation that we will capture. To create this oral history of why these artists chose the bass, what their creative lives are like, and where inspiration can be found.

Listen in: Groove – The No Treble Podcast – Episode #104 – Normand Guilbeault.

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