François Bourassa Quartet - Number 9 (2017) [Hi-Res]

Quebec-based pianist and composer Francois Bourassa has called his 9th album Number 9 - but don't let the simple title fool you. Bourassa and his quartet of Andre Leroux (reeds), Guy Boisvert (bass) and Greg Ritchie (drums) throw in plenty of surprises on a series of original compositions.

After „Idiosyncrasie“ (Effendi 2011), François Bourassa and crew embark on another journey of musical explorations in a quartet format. „Number 9“, François’ aptly named ninth album as a leader, will be released on the 27th of October on Effendi Records/ Naxos worldwide.

„The music of Number 9 cycles from melodic lyricism to pure sonics, from a swinging basis to open space, from probing inquiry to fervent self-expression to satisfying resolutions, sometimes conclusive. There is finesse and passion, flintiness and warmth, formal structures and free association. Some of Number 9 is simply dreamy. Bourassa and company make these diversities all of one piece, aspects of an ensemble sensibility. Return, repeat, replay, dig in, lay back. A world of music comes clear.“ (From the liner notes by Howard Mandel, 2017).

François Bourassa has just played a showcase in a trio setting at the Rimouski Jazz meeting at the end of August. Below you can see a video from a quartet performance at Jazz en Rafale earlier this year.

„Ultimately, the songs on Number 9 speak for themselves. The quartet covers a lot of ground from a complex of perspectives, new details unveiled with each turn of the ear. Hear Bourassa, Leroux, Boisvert and Ritchie commune. Return, repeat, replay, dig in... a world of remarkable music awaits you.“ (AllAboutJazz)

“A pianist and composer of high stature in his native Montreal, Mr. Bourassa favors avantgardism of a liquid and often lyrical sort." (Nate Chinen, The New York Times)

François Bourassa, piano
André Leroux, saxophone
Guy Boisvert, double bass
Greg Ritchie, drums

Tracklist:
01. François Bourassa Quartet - Carla und Karlheinz (9:30)
02. François Bourassa Quartet - 5 and Less (9:02)
03. François Bourassa Quartet - Frozen (11:36)
04. François Bourassa Quartet - Past Ich (5:24)
05. François Bourassa Quartet - Lostage (8:23)
06. François Bourassa Quartet - 18 Rue de l'hotel de Ville (9:05)
07. François Bourassa Quartet - 11 Beignes (6:21)