Dominique Poirier – Onomatopée

Dominique Poirier is an accordionist and comes from Oka, in the northwest of metro Montreal. It seems he only learnt to play the instrument in 2020! If that is indeed the case, it’s quite a feat because the guy is pretty good and displays an ease that I would have associated only with a much more experienced musician. Poirier and his ensemble performed at the Montreal International Jazz Festival (FIJM) in 2024, after which colleague Vitta Morales wrote a very positive piece.

READ THE REVIEW OF DOMINIQUE POIRIER’S CONCERT AT FIJM 2024

Onomatopée was released on October 29, 2025, and showcases not only a convincing performance by the main soloist but also an impressive quality of writing (yes, he wrote all the pieces). An informed writing, intuitively distilled, in a personal language but clearly rooted in jazz, tango, traditional music, classical music, even rock and blues. Accordionists capable of doing all this are not legion, neither internationally nor even less on our local scene. Richard Galliano is the first name that comes to mind. Even if Poirier has not demonstrated that he could match the Frenchman in virtuosity, he at least manages to firmly glue us to his program, refined, playful, intelligent, dynamic, and swinging.

Poirier is accompanied by a large ensemble, composed of musicians who prove to be in perfect symbiosis with the leader. Vitta Morales had invited us to “follow this artist closely.” I fully confirm this necessity!

Musicians: Composition and Accordion – Dominique Poirier

Double bass and electric bass – Oscar Robertson

Drums – Shayne Assouline

Electric guitar – Benjamin Gilbert Strings – Bazar Quartet: Violin – Adéline Gagné

Violin – Florence Labelle Viola – Geoffroy Michaud-Beaulieu

Cello – Emmanuel Madsen