Steve Amirault
Piano
(Actif dans la scène de Montréal)

(La biographie est seulement disponible en anglais) "His approach is fresh and pure, unhindered by clichés or stylistic baggage, and his playing is remarkable, too, for its patience and respect for the sound of a piano. His ballad was a masterstroke. Jazz musicians have no higher aspiration than to play so musically and personally."
Peter Hum - The Ottawa Citizen

Steve Amirault is one of Canada's most innovative and unique voices as both pianist and composer. He has been awarded several grants from both the Canada Council and the Conseil des Art et des Lettres du Quebec, won the Montreal International Jazz Festival Competition, and received a Juno for his collaboration with saxophonist Francois Carrier. Amirault has released three CD's as a leader -

That's What - 1993 "...intriguing compositions, so thoroughly conceived, pieces I want to keep hearing. Amirault augments the past with a sparkling, decisive sense of placement. This is the work of a perfectionist..." - Cadence Magazine.

Reflecting Images - 1997 "...Reflecting Images numbers among the most inventive piano trio sessions of 1997.." - Cadence Magazine.

Rendez-Vous Point, "..a voyage of discovery from start to finish..." Peter Hadekel The Montreal Gazette.

Steve is currently preparing his fourth CD which will be released in the spring of 2004. This new recording will feature stalwart Toronto bassist, Jim Vivian and Greg Ritchie, who is rapidly becoming known as one of the most exciting drummers in the country.

While Amirault is now based in Montreal, he spent many years living in New York City. This time in the world's jazz capitol afforded him the opportunity to work with many great musicians, such as Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, Sheila Jordan, Eddie Henderson, Tim Hagans, Joe Locke, Bob Moses, Ron McClure, Harvey Swartz, Joe Chambers, Mike Clark, and legendary bassist Eddie Gomez.

Steve Amirault enjoys a thriving performance career playing with some of Canada's finest musicians including Ingrid Jensen, Mike Murley, Kirk McDonald, Michel Donato, Remi Bolduc, Seamus Blake, Mike Allen, Claude Ranger, John Nugent, Charlie Biddle, and Michel Lambert. Some performance highlights would include several recordings of original material on Canada's premier jazz radio shows, CBC's Jazz Beat, Silence on jazz, and Club de minuit. Over the years Steve has performed countless concerts at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Ottawa International Jazz Festival and the Halifax Jazz Festival. Hosting the Montreal festivals Official Jam Session over the years allowed Steve to play with many great international artists, some of the most memorable are George Benson, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin, Roy Hargrove, Russell Malone, Antonio Hart, and Chris Potter. This creative pianist can be found at Montréal's hottest Jazz clubs "Upstairs" and at his regular engagement, the "House of Jazz" (Biddles). This season Steve is touring with the Rankin Sisters, the Merlin Factor, Justin Time Recording artist, Coral Egan, the Effendi Jazz Lab, and Christine Jenson.