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

FIJM | Saxophonist and vocalist Camille Thurman, New Montreal Hidden Treasure

FIJM | Saxophonist and vocalist Camille Thurman, New Montreal Hidden Treasure

Festival de Lanaudière | Bruckner and Payare: cathedral builders

Festival de Lanaudière | Bruckner and Payare: cathedral builders

FIJM | Marcus Strickland and The Black Fusion Following

FIJM | Marcus Strickland and The Black Fusion Following

FIJM | Jean Michel Blais & Lara Somogyi: Fruits of The Desert

FIJM | Jean Michel Blais & Lara Somogyi: Fruits of The Desert

FIJM | Fievel is Glauque For Dessert… Dessert loaded!

FIJM | Fievel is Glauque For Dessert… Dessert loaded!

FIJM | Thursday Ends With Suuns

FIJM | Thursday Ends With Suuns

FIJM | Misc: Beat Bouquet Well Garnished!

FIJM | Misc: Beat Bouquet Well Garnished!

FIJM | Alexis Lombre and the Holy Spirit in the South Side of Chicago

FIJM | Alexis Lombre and the Holy Spirit in the South Side of Chicago

FIJM | Allison Russel’s Apotheosis Concert in Her Hometown

FIJM | Allison Russel’s Apotheosis Concert in Her Hometown

FIJM I Best Dressed, Most Possessed: Fantastic Negrito Stupefies Rogers Stage

FIJM I Best Dressed, Most Possessed: Fantastic Negrito Stupefies Rogers Stage

FIJM 2025 | Beth McKenna : raising her Momentum

FIJM 2025 | Beth McKenna : raising her Momentum

Nuits d’Afrique | Immersion In The World of Stogie T

Nuits d’Afrique | Immersion In The World of Stogie T

FIJM | Julius Rodriguez, Jazz Groove Ace

FIJM | Julius Rodriguez, Jazz Groove Ace

FIJM | Men I Trust Shines Brightly on The Place des Festivals

FIJM | Men I Trust Shines Brightly on The Place des Festivals

FIJM | Anomalie and Lettieri: A New Musical Friendship, Developing in Real Time

FIJM | Anomalie and Lettieri: A New Musical Friendship, Developing in Real Time

FIJM | Linda May Han Oh, A Role Model for Female Double-Bass Players

FIJM | Linda May Han Oh, A Role Model for Female Double-Bass Players

Nuits d’Afrique | La Chiva Gantiva As Seen by Rafael Espinel

Nuits d’Afrique | La Chiva Gantiva As Seen by Rafael Espinel

Suoni | The Spiritual Quest, The End in Transcendence

Suoni | The Spiritual Quest, The End in Transcendence

FIJM | Thundercat, A Feline on The Loose

FIJM | Thundercat, A Feline on The Loose

FIJM | Bill Frisell, Thomas Morgan and Rudy Royston Exposed

FIJM | Bill Frisell, Thomas Morgan and Rudy Royston Exposed

FIJM | Branford Marsalis Among Four MF’s Playin’ Tunes… Live!

FIJM | Branford Marsalis Among Four MF’s Playin’ Tunes… Live!

FIJM | About Derrick Hodge’s Idea of the Color of Noize

FIJM | About Derrick Hodge’s Idea of the Color of Noize

FIJM | Queen of Afrobeats, Ayra confirms her status as a Global… Starr

FIJM | Queen of Afrobeats, Ayra confirms her status as a Global… Starr

FIJM | Black Jazz by Marquis Hill

FIJM | Black Jazz by Marquis Hill

Subscribe to our newsletter