François Jalbert - L'aéronaute (2022)

Jalbert (Little Misty, Lucioles, Elizabeth Shepherd, Yannick Rieu) is a guitarist and Beaulieu (Misc, Bellflower) is a pianist. Using these two stringed instruments, they fuse jazz and folk to create a delightful impressionistic universe suitable for wandering and dreaming.

The opening track, ‘Bouncing Check’, which is the first single from the album to be released, is a perfect example of this marriage of musical genres. “Through this piece, we wanted to represent the bouncing of a misdated check. It’s a mix of old swing and folk to ease one’s frustration,” the two performers explain with a touch of humor. Following the release of the 2017 album ‘This Is A Real Place’ – the first official offering from a project that has existed since they met at University of Montreal – Jalbert Beaulieu offers an assemblage of carefully constructed original pieces, conceived and arranged with a spirit of thorough collaboration. “We pursued the reflection initiated on ‘This Is A Real Place’,” explains François. It is still a blend of two styles, but this time it’s more refined. The folk element feels better integrated in the overall sound. The arrangements are also more fleshed out. Our approach has matured; we have found our focus.”

‘L’aéronaute’ is therefore an ode to the multiplication of possibilities in creation through simplicity. Airy, lively, enchanted, the album evokes few precise visual images. We are rather focused on colors, waves, emotions. The concept, the destination were not sources of motivation for the two companions. For Jalbert Beaulieu, it’s the journey that matters.