Clarinetist
François Houle has established himself as one of Canadas
finest musicians. His performances and recordings transcend the stylistic
borders associated with his instrument in all of the diverse musical spheres
he embraces: improvised, electro-acoustic, new music, classical and jazz.
Aerials is a set of improvisations exploring the clarinet's uncharted
territories. Developed during a five-week residency in Italy at the 15th
century Castello Civitella Ranieri, the music is complex and seductive,
taking the listener deep inside the instrument. Technically, this recording
taps into the clarinetist's inclination for the unexpected; from disembodied
clarinets played simultaneously to flute-like melodies. Examining the
way the instrument "reacts" to various acoustical spaces, such
as inside a grand piano, this program is virtuosity coupled with stunning
lyricism.
François Houle
has been nominated for West Coast Music Awards, Juno Awards and was listed
in Down Beat Magazine as "Talent Deserving Wider Recognition"
in it's annual critics poll. He has released more than a dozen albums
of his own music and has recorded and performed with other great artists
such as Dave Douglas, Jerry Granelli, Joelle Leandre, Marilyn Crispell,
Evan Parker, John Butcher, Michael Moore, Georg Graewe and Myra Melford.
His CD Dice Thrown with French pianist Benoît Delbecq
was awarded Best Jazz Album of 2002 by Frances Jazzman
Magazine. Labels Houle has recorded for include Red Toucan (Montréal),
Songlines (Vancouver), between-the-lines (Frankfurt), Hat Art (Zurich),
empreintes DIGITALes (Montréal), Spool (Scarborough), and Nuscope
(Dallas). Aerials is his first solo release on Drip Audio.
Press:
"...exceptional musicality."
- The Wire
...a spectacularly versatile clarinetist
who appears to have no limitations stylistically or sonically -
LA Times (Mark Swed)
"...hes drawing to another plane
of music entirely." - CokeMachineGlow
"It is past time to discover François
Houle." - Cadence Magazine
"one of the most beautiful tones around..."-
CODA Magazine
"A master of extended
techniques (chirps, multiphonics, circular breathing, etc.)"
- The Stranger (Seattle)
Album
Review: Left Hip Magazine
Album
Review: The Wire
Album
Review: CokeMachineGlow
Album
Review: Paris Transatlantic Magazine
Album
Review: Cadence Magazine
Album
Review: Gaz-Eta
Album
Review: Point of Departure
Album
Review: Downtown Music Gallery (New York)
Album
Review: Textura
Album Review: All About Jazz (New York)
Album
Review: Misterioso
Article:
All About Jazz (New York)
Links:
françoishoule.ca
 |