Sagapool (world music)

Sagapool (world music)
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Description

Sagapool Brings Tales of Raucous Romps and Wintry Meditations to Life on New Album and on North American Tour, March-April 2012

As the accordionist, the violonist and clarinetist jammed together to The Godfather theme in the halls of the conservatory, they knew what they had to do: Start a klezmer band.But what happened was a completely different story. Sagapool went from Balkan and Gypsy-inflected impromptu shows on the streets of Old Montreal to crafting original instrumentals as a six-piece band—one so in synch that the guitarist jumps up to join the bassist for a thumping four-handed riff. Now the inventive ensemble turns inward, adding a Northern note to their swirling romps on Sagapool. Nonetheless, Sagapool can’t help but add an ample dose of the group’s quirky humor. This mix of good-natured shenanigans and Northern thoughtfulness won Sagapool a Canadian Folk Music Award (Best Instrumental Album, 2008) and gained them showcases at WOMEX (2010).

Biography

As the accordionist and clarinetist jammed together to The Godfather theme in the halls of the conservatory, they knew exactly what they had to do: Start a klezmer band.

But what happened was a completely different story. Joined by a whole family of other instruments, Sagapool went from Balkan and Gypsy-inflected impromptu shows on the summer streets of Old Montreal to crafting acoustic original instrumentals as a six-piece band—one so in synch that it’s no surprise when the guitarist jumps up to join the bassist for a thumping four-handed riff. It’s a gang of good friends and relatives sharing long, winding stories (the sagas in Sagapool)—but with stunning chops.

Now the inventive ensemble turns inward, adding a Northern note to their wild and swirling romps on Sagapool (Canada release: March 6, 2012; U.S. release: March 20, 2012), a gentle reflection on everything from Quebec’s remote and windswept reaches to quiet winter mornings. Nonetheless, Sagapool can’t help but add an ample dose of the group’s characteristic, sustaining quirky humor, chronicling bittersweet grooves for synth-addicted cousins and last-minute leaps on stage. “Early on, we were bringing heat to the cold winter, but now we’re assuming our northerness,” exclaims clarinetist and co-founder Guillaume Bourque. “I think the result is really well balanced. We’re known for our energetic pieces, when people switch instruments—we all can play all the instruments involved. And we keep that energy, even if our music feels more introspective.”

This mix of good-natured shenanigans, striking musical skill, and Northern thoughtfulness has won Sagapool a Canadian Folk Music Award (Best Instrumental Album, 2008) and gained them showcases at major music events like WOMEX (2010). Their dynamic, freewheeling show will reach the U.S. and Canada, as the group tours in March and April 2012. The band’s journey will take them from North Carolina to Northern New England, with a stop in New York (Living Room, March 29), and to the Maritimes.

2011 Ontario Contact official showcase selection

2011 La Francofête (RADARTS) official showcase selection

2010 Folquébec WOMEX 2010 Showcase - Spotlight Quebec selection

2010 Contact East official showcase selection

2010 Pacific Contact official showcase selection - april 2011

2008 Canadian Folk Music Awards Winners for Best Instrumental Group and nominee for Best World Music Album

Biography

With its contagious joie-de-vivre and its vibrant music, this band of six musicians has created an original and dazzling repertoire that reflects the colourful influences of Montreal’s cultural mosaic.

Conceived in the hallways of the Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal on a sunny day in 1999, Sagapool – previously known as Manouche – recently celebrated its ninth year with the release of its third album, Épisode Trois.

Guitar, double bass, accordion, percussions, banjo, glockenspiel, Rhodes, violin, clarinet and piano all shine in the hands of these multi-talented instrumentalists. With its diverse cultural background, the group defies simple categorization and performs its own blend of joyful music which, like their city of Montréal, marries the best of the Old World and the New.

With Épisode Trois, Sagapool lets its music travel without borders and preserves the free spirit and exuberance of its first loves – gypsy music, gypsy swing and klezmer, while adding elements of Celtic, ska, latin and folk rythms.

Sagapool’s new album was roundly praised by the public and critics alike. Épisode Trois also reached #1 on the CIBL World chart for 7 consecutive weeks, #6 on the !Earshot Jazz chart and reached the Top 10 list of Montréal CD sales.

Since 1999, Sagapool has played over three hundred times in Canada, with four major performances at the Montreal International Jazz Festival. The band has sold more than 10 000 copies of its first three albums. In 2006, the album St-Urbain Café was nominated at ADISQ (the Québec Junos) for best instrumental album. That same year, the group won the Roseq-Radarts award given by music promoters of Québec. In 2007, Sagapool performed for the first time in the United States at Bliss Fest in Michigan.

2008 was a monumental success for Sagapool, as they won awards from across the music industry, including the GALAXIE Rising Star Award at ROSEQ, Best Instrumental Group at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and were nominated for Best World Music album at both the Canadian Folk Music Awards and at GAMIQ.

Members

Luzio Altobelli (Italy)- ACCORDION + percussions, piano et drums
Marton Maderspach (Hungary) - DRUMS + percussions
Zoé Dumais - VIOLIN + glockenspiel
Alexis Dumais - PIANO + doublebass and percussions
Guillaume Bourque - Clarinet
Dany Nicolas - GUITAR + doublebass and piano


Booking and Management Worldwide : COOP Les Faux-Monnayeurs - Jean-François Guindon - 514.525.8851 - contact@coopfauxmonnayeurs.com

Booking USA (all markets)

Booking Canada (except Quebec) : Marilyn Gilbert - 1.416.410.8224 - Marilyn@mgam.com

Upcoming Shows

24 May 2012, 20h00
Airbag Festival @ Bruge (Belgium)

26 May 2012, 21h00
Espace culture et loisirs @ Trementines (France)

27 May 2012, 21h00
Brest @ Brest (France)

28 May 2012, 21h00
L'éprouvette @ St-André des eaux (France

1 June 2012, 21h00
Le Quai vert @ Frossay (France)

2 June 2012, 21h00
Le plan B @ Poitiers (France)

12 July 2012, 20h00
TBA @ Sherbrooke

27 July 2012, 20h00
Du 27 au 29 juillet- Hillside Festival @ Guelph (ON)

1 August 2012, 00h00
TBA @ Ville St-Laurent

1 September 2012, 00h00
TBA @ Toronto

12 April 2013, 20h00
Mason Theatre Perth Collegiate @ Perth (ON)

Videos