Canadian jazz guitarist Félix Tellier Pouliot and French bassist Christian Bailet have been weaving their musical talents for over ten years. Their collaborative journey spans several groups, such as the jazz fusion outfit Electrolyz, the innovative jazz/electro trio MOODS, and the creatively spirited fusion trio Upsy Daisy. In 2018, Upsy Daisy captivated audiences with their EP ‘Alpha B.’ Both Pouliot and Bailet, through their rich experiences, have honed their craft to impressive levels of mastery.
In 2019, this dynamic duo joined forces with Martin Auguste, a Montreal-based drummer renowned for his work with acclaimed figures like Dave Liebman and Christine Jensen. This trio, united by a shared passion for jazz, quickly gelled and began showcasing their original compositions in Montreal’s vibrant jazz scene.
Their music is a fusion of diverse influences, merging Canadian and French styles to create a transcendent auditory experience. The trio’s exceptional improvisational skills and deep musical connection ensure each performance is a memorable encounter with jazz at its finest.
Félix Tellier Pouliot‘s just released his debut album, Hometown Zero: a vibrant tapestry of genres, each track a splash of colour on the city’s sonic canvas.
“It turned out probably better than I expected,” Félix admits. “We had a limited time to do the album, so I wrote a bunch of new songs,” he explains, due to Christian returning home to France. “Even if some of them were new songs, it still turned out great,” he adds, relief and pride intertwining in his words.
Félix’s songwriting weaves a lyrical tapestry, each song unique yet harmoniously woven into the album’s fabric. His inspiration? “I wanted to have an album that holds together but each song really have something,” he says. This desire to connect with his audience on a deeper level, not just fellow musicians, fuels his every note. “Does my mom like the song? If she likes the song, then, you know, and she doesn’t know anything about music, she’s just whatever she listens to,” he laughs.
Music has always been Félix’s compass, his first love a violin, but the guitar quickly became his voice. “My dad is also a guitar player, so there was always guitar around the house,” he reminisces. His influences range from the pop-punk of his teens to blues players and, more recently, classical music. “I think for me, it was really the improvisation that drew me into this world,” he reflects.
The album’s creation was a dynamic interplay, with each band member adding their own steps to the rhythm. “The songs are pretty mapped out, like the melody is there, the chord changes are there,” explains Félix, but that’s just the foundation. The magic happens in the rehearsal room, where spontaneous ideas waltz into the final arrangements. “Sometimes someone’s going to play something very interesting at one point that’s going to become part of the song,” he notes.
The future holds festivals and the possible expansion of the band. “A keyboard player maybe,” he muses, considering the sonic possibilities.
Beyond his own music, Félix collaborates with artists, including Hanorah and Magella, his musical threads intertwining with Montreal’s tapestry. He mentions Backxwash as another local artist he loves, explaining he’s drawn to anything he feels he’s never heard before.
When asked which song he’d play for a newcomer, Félix chooses “Upsy Daisy.” “It kind of has a little bit of everything. And I think that it sounds pretty accessible,” he explains. The album’s diversity echoes in the varied radio selections, each station picking a different thread from the sonic tapestry. “I guess I think there’s something for everyone in the record.”
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