A SWINGIN’ GOOD TIME
Saxman Bolduc honours icon
Montreal saxophonist Rémi Bolduc has been preoccupied in recent years with the jazz that’s come before him.
His new album, Swingin’ With Oscar, which consists of his arrangements of Oscar Peterson compositions, is his third tribute project, following albums similarly dedicated to the legacies of Dave Brubeck and Charlie Parker. They’re quite a change-up from the other more contemporary and freewheeling albums that Bolduc has made.
Bolduc’s quartet brings his Peterson-themed music to Gatineau’s Salle Odyssée on Boulevard de la Gappe on Wednesday, April 12. Here, Bolduc explains why it’s taken him this long to fall under Peterson’s swinging spell.
Q When and why did you decide to do an Oscar Peterson tribute project?
A The first concert of Swingin’ with Oscar was on Oct. 15, 2015, in Montreal at Salle Bourgie. The project started there. I was then to present the music of Oscar. It was an opportunity for me to learn more about Peterson’s music and to play with (pianist) Taurey Butler.
Q How did you choose the material for this project?
A First I wanted to feature the compositions of Oscar. Often people think of him as a player. I wanted to present his compositions. I listened to many CDs and found 80 compositions. I then chose the ones that I felt would sound good in quartet with a sax. Also, I wanted different styles. Swing, Latin, 3/4 etc. I found pieces that talked to me and I found that his music was really happy and uplifting.
Q What impact did Oscar Peterson’s music have on you when you were first getting into jazz?
A Oscar’s music was not part of my upbringing. At the time I really focused mostly on sax players. I knew of Oscar, but I did not really know his music. So this project, same with the Brubeck, inspired me to dig more into Oscar’s music and playing. Playing these projects is challenging. I find that the music calls for high energy and hardswinging solos. It is inspiring to me to focus on those important aspects of music and improvisation
Q What have you learned about Oscar and his music as a result of pulling together this project?
A I got more familiar with the kind of chord progressions that Oscar liked. Also, it’s amazing how much Oscar swings. Often his band would rush, but it is that rushing that gives it this energy.
Q You already have gigs lined up into 2018 for the Oscar project. What has been the reception of audiences and promoters to this music?
A People love the music. I have really positive feedback from the audience and everyone that heard the project.
Q You’re a tenured professor at McGill University, but you recently took a step back from other responsibilities. Tell me about what you did and how it felt to do it.
A I am not the jazz area chair anymore. It is just something we do. We usually change area chair
every two years. I did three. Jean-Michel Pilc is now area chair. It does feel good to have more time to focus on playing for sure.