Started playing the saxophone at age 10. Studied classical music at the Montreal Conservatory of Music and then did a Bachelors in jazz performance at McGill University(Montreal) and a Masters in jazz performance at Manhattan School of Music(New York City). Won several regional and national classical competitions as a soloist and with a saxophone quartet (A.R.A.M, Festival des harmonies du Québec, Joliette Competition, Canada Music Competition, etc) . Won many scholarships and grants from: Manhattan School of Music, Mcgill University, Canada Council For the Arts, Quebec Council for the Arts, L.A. Friends of Jazz, etc. While in Montreal, studied with: Janis Steprans, André Leroux, Rémi Bolduc, Frank Lozano and Jan Jarczyk. Performed with Phil Woods, Greg Osby, Nate Smith, Jim Black, Pat LaBarbera, The Joe Sullivan Big Band, with Yoel Diaz opening for Arturo Sandoval and Eddi Palmieri. Performed in France, Belgium, Mexico, China, Hong-Kong, Canada and the United States. Was also part of the Banff International Jazz and Creative Music Workshop in 2005. Worked with the likes of Greg Osby, Dave Douglas, Vijay Iyer, Mark Dresser, etc. While in NYC, studied with Dick Oatts, Steve Slagle, Jamie Baum, David Liebman, etc. Currently working on a Invitation series that will feature Jim Black, Nate Smith, Greg Osby and Donny McCaslin.
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Discography
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Te Llego - Yoel Diaz
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Desde Mi Casa hasta la Habana -Yoel Diaz
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Where To Go - Samuel Blais
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Prélude et Groove - Nota Bene Saxophone Quartet
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Bomb X - Nicolas Letman-Burtinovic
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Jean-Nicolas Trottier Big Band - Johnny Trottier
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also many brass section stuff on different Montreal Pop artists.
