Country : Canada (Quebec) Label : Independant Genres and styles : Contemporary Jazz Year : 2023

Bellbird – Root in Tandem

· by Frédéric Cardin

I really like this Montreal-based musical proposition, a cross between modern jazz, free jazz, learned contemporary music and American minimalism. Bellbird is made up of two couples in life (Claire Devlin, sax and Allison Burik, clarinet, as well as Eli Davidovici, double bass and Mili Hong, drums), and three gender identities (Allison Burik is non-binary). The ensemble formed two years ago, and its members, I hear, often like to play Dutch Blitz, a card game I wasn’t familiar with (perhaps I’m too limited to Joker Rummy!).

Here, then, is modern jazz punctuated here and there with Steve Reich-style minimalist phrases, which serve as the basis for the subsequent blossoming of a studious inventiveness that does not exclude a rhythmic energy sometimes tinged with rock, or its urban jazz version introduced by E.S.T.

The result is a resolutely symbiotic, multi-genre marriage that pushes the idea of modern jazz and the boundary between written and improvised music a little further, without turning it all on its head either. It’s a thoughtful, skilful achievement that balances its post-academic rigour (all these fine people have just graduated from McGill) with a sincere emotional investment and some great musical ideas. 

The subjects covered are varied and unromantic (you won’t find any love stories). Instead, in an emotional rather than musical impressionism, they evoke psychological isolation (a consequence of the pandemic), a dreamlike plunge into a well of sensations and colours, the concepts of conflict and acceptance, playful allusions to tropical birds and pigeons unjustly denigrated, like Disco! etc.). The quartet’s name is also inspired by a bird: the bellbird, or white araponga in French. 

It’s an excellent proposition that you’ll be able to enjoy live on Saturday 7 October at Dièse Onze, as part of the OFF Jazz Festival in Montreal. Can’t wait!

 

Latest 360 Content

Sight + Sound | Fili Gibbons

Sight + Sound | Fili Gibbons

Opera McGill | Imeneo of Handel through the lens of Patrick Hansen

Opera McGill | Imeneo of Handel through the lens of Patrick Hansen

Mivos Quartet: three times Reich at Bourgie

Mivos Quartet: three times Reich at Bourgie

Éléonore Lagacé and “Brûlez-moi vive”: pop on fire

Éléonore Lagacé and “Brûlez-moi vive”: pop on fire

Gloin – All of your anger is actually shame (and I bet that makes you angry)

Gloin – All of your anger is actually shame (and I bet that makes you angry)

Pro Musica | Piano prodigy Jaeden Izik-Dzurko: “serious”, “introverted” and… extremely refined

Pro Musica | Piano prodigy Jaeden Izik-Dzurko: “serious”, “introverted” and… extremely refined

Boubé – Voyager

Boubé – Voyager

An Invitation to Travel by Boubé

An Invitation to Travel by Boubé

Ingrid Saint-Pierre – Five Upright Piano Songs

Ingrid Saint-Pierre – Five Upright Piano Songs

SAT | Le Couleur Changes Spectrum, But First…

SAT | Le Couleur Changes Spectrum, But First…

Whispering Worlds – Cosmic Cliffs

Whispering Worlds – Cosmic Cliffs

ContaQt/Yaz Lancaster/Evan Ziporyn – ConneQt IV

ContaQt/Yaz Lancaster/Evan Ziporyn – ConneQt IV

Nick Storring – Mirante

Nick Storring – Mirante

Housewife – Girl Of The Hour

Housewife – Girl Of The Hour

Los Pirañas – Una Oportunidad Más de Triunfar en la Vida

Los Pirañas – Una Oportunidad Más de Triunfar en la Vida

Ariane Brisson/Philip Chiu – Prokofiev: Flute and Piano Sonatas

Ariane Brisson/Philip Chiu – Prokofiev: Flute and Piano Sonatas

The girls slay Turbo Haus

The girls slay Turbo Haus

marcel – ô fornaiz

marcel – ô fornaiz

Bella White: a newer country bluegrass star

Bella White: a newer country bluegrass star

Classic Rock… Hard Rock… Bob Rock… The Damn Truth!

Classic Rock… Hard Rock… Bob Rock… The Damn Truth!

Dicko Fils: on the road to modernity for the Fulani people

Dicko Fils: on the road to modernity for the Fulani people

Ana Krstajić et Joey Reda – Confluence

Ana Krstajić et Joey Reda – Confluence

CC Duo/collectif9 – Re/String

CC Duo/collectif9 – Re/String

Jan Lisiecki – Preludes

Jan Lisiecki – Preludes

Subscribe to our newsletter