Alex Bellegarde Quartet - Laureate of the GM Grand Jazz Award, 26th edition, Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.

Alex Bellegarde is joined by three excellent musicians: Cuban-born pianist Yoël Diaz, alto saxophonist Erik Hove and drummer / percussionist Yvon Plouffe.  His compositions, infused with a rich, modern jazz sound are intricately woven with non conventional forms, grooves, Cuban rhythms and collective improvisation.  His release Caminando, (Justin Time Records) received excellent press reviews and is one of Coda Jazz Magazine’s top 10 picks for 2006.... 

Yoël Diaz… Cuban-born Yoël Diaz is a brilliant pianist whose rich and colorful heritage shines through in his music and his playing. He studied at The José White Music School in Camaguey, Cuba and also played with several orchestras and Latin jazz groups throughout the province of Holguin, Cuba.  Since arriving in Montreal he has released two albums: Te llegó (Cuban Time records) and Yoël Diaz Y Su Team Timba (Mojitos & Musica ) and has  played in festivals across Canada, opening for artists such as Arturo Sandoval, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri and Ray Barreto.

Erik Hove… Alto saxophonist Erik Hove has a passion for modern jazz and improvised music.  He studied saxophone at McGill University in Montreal with Rémi Bolduc and with Blue Note recording artist Greg Osby, in New York.  Leader of the electro-jazz group Soundclash, which has played extensively in New York and Montreal he also heads a trio and plays with the pop band Stars.  Erik is the 2006 laureate of the François Marcaurelle Prize, awarded annually at L'OFF Festival de Jazz de Montréal.

Yvon Plouffe… Drummer / percussionist Yvon Plouffe has worked on multiple projects: pop, jazz, new music, world rhythms and dance.   He attended Montreal’s Concordia University and then traveled to Los Angeles, New York and Guinea (West Africa) to study with master musicians Alex Acuna, Louis Conti, Frank Malabe, Mohammed Lamine Silla and Aberto Villarreal. He has recorded and performed with artists: Karen Young, Térez Montcalm, Roch Voisine, France D’Amour, Yves Lambert, Bran Van 3000 and Sylvain Cossette, to name a few!

Photos: Festival International de Jazz de Montréal 2006