'For a three piece, Genticorum makes a very full and glorious noise, both instrumentally and vocally… This is a band that’s going to go places.
SING OUT!
Over the last few years, Genticorum has become one of the most soughtafter proponents of Québécois musical culture, having performed and toured in over 15 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania. Firmly rooted in the soil of their native land, the energetic and original traditional ‘power trio’ also incorporates the dynamism of today’s North American and European folk cultures in their music. They weave precise and intricate fiddle and flute work, gorgeous vocal harmonies, energetic foot percussion and guitar and bass accompaniment into a big and jubilant musical feast. Their distinctive sound, sense of humour and stage presence make them a supreme crowd pleaser.
The trio consists of Pascal Gemme (fiddle, foot percussion), Alexandre de Grosbois-Garand (flute, bass and jaw harp), and Yann Falquet (guitar). Each sings lead and joins in the three part harmonies. The songs are all in French, but the spoken intros for American audiences are all in English.
Their sophomore album “Malins Plaisirs” was released in Canada in 2005 and won the Canadian Folk Music Award in the “Best Ensemble” category and was nominated for JUNO (Canada) and Felix Awards (Québec). Now released in Europe, in collaboration with the Weatherbox label, the album still collects rave reviews.
Their third album, “La Bibournoise”, was released in Canada in April 2008
to critical acclaim. It was awarded "Best traditional album" at the CFMA. It builds on Genticorum’s trademark sound, combining rollicking interpretations of traditional Quebecois folk songs with a collection of original instrumentals written in the traditional style. Energetic and folky at the same time, excellent in harmonized song as in the most frenzied rhythms; sometimes it’s hard to believe there are just three band-members!
Their latest album, "Nagez Rameurs," (Onward, Paddlers!) was released in early 2011, to glowing reviews: "Close your eyes and let the smooth flowing music of Genticorum transport you to another time and place, where French fur trappers and intrepid loggers navigate the roaring rivers and limitless lakes of the North Country. Like a virgin white pine of the Quebecois woods, Genticorum stands tall among the finest of the new wave of French-Canadian bands. Their new record is, in a word, fantastic!" fiddlefreak.com.
Yann Falquet is a truly active and creative acoustic guitar player on the Québécois music scene. He has explored many styles of music and completed a Bachelors degree in Jazz. Since then, he has developed a personal guitar style for Québec folk music, inspired by the playing of the accompanists of different cultures (Brittany, Scandinavia, Ireland, North America, etc). His involvement in traditional music scene brought Yann to perform on numerous recordings, and to regularly tour throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia. He also toured for three years with the award winning celtic/world group The McDades. Yann had the opportunity to teach at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in Limerick, at the Goderich Celtic College as well as at the Alasdair Fraser's Fiddle Train and Sierra Fiddle Camp.
For the first years of his career he was known on the Montreal musical scene as a funk-latin-jazz composer/arranger and bass player. He studied jazz arrangement and pop electric bass but his growing passion for folk music gave him a taste for the wooden flute, which he started to play in 1997. Since then, Alexandre has devoted much time and energy creating a « Quebec » flute style, which can be heard in Genticorum. Since 2002, he has taught flute and whistle in a folk music school in Montreal (École des Arts de la Veillée). Alexandre has also played with bands of a variety of styles, including folk-pop band Perdu l’Nord, for which he composed and played bass and flute. Alexandre has performed for many important musical events and recorded with several artists of various styles.
Since the completion of his degree in big-band arrangements and classical and jazz guitar, Pascal has been searching for seldom heard songs and melodies and interpreting his own compositions with a unique, unmistakable style. Inspired to take up the fiddle by the playing of his grandfather, he developed a solid technique and acquired a wide repertoire through the years. He has played with and has been inspired by many great Québécois singers and fiddlers. He gave some master classes in the USA in recent years and since 2003 has taught fiddle in Montreal's folk music school (École des Arts de la Veillée), the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in Limerick, the Goderich Celtic College as well as at the Alasdair Fraser's Fiddle Train and Sierra Fiddle Camp. Pascal is also a great singer of Quebec folk songs with a rich and interesting style and repertoire, mostly learned from older singers. Pascal does most of the arrangements for Genticorum and was also the arranger/composer for the show Chantier by Zeugma, a Québécois-Celtic-World dance company. He’s also working as a producer for different musical projects and a studio musician for commercial radio and television.
La Bibournoise Roues & Archets RA 012
With so many albums of outstanding quality coming out of the Quebecois tradition in recent years, it is sometimes difficult to keep track of what is happening. Under these circumstances, it is important to keep a lookout for Genticorum, for their albums are always very satisfying.
If asked what was the quality that makes Genticorum stand out in this crowded market then the answer would have to be 'subtlety'. Certainly this trio of a guitarist and two fiddlers, one doubling on wooden flute and fretless bass can match any when it comes to the flat-out foot-tapping driven reels, but they are also prepared to put their instruments down and sing in a gorgeous compelling harmony and there is a larger proportion of items taken at a slower tempo than you will find on other albums in this genre.
All the songs are traditionel, well researched, little heard items presented in interesting arrangements and all the tunes are written by one of hte fiddlers, Pascal Gemme, although they all sound as though they have been marinated in the tradition for a long time.
Their gig list shows a very busy band indeed with a visit to the UK lined up for early November with five concerts in Scotland and one in England. www.genticorum.com, www.rouesetarchets.com
Vic Smith
“Mindful of the power of silence, space and the emotional sway of restraint, Genticorum uses concepts to great effect throughout La Bibournoise. Generous in spirit, meticulous in detail and flawless in execution, the trio - a sonic marvel of synergistic chemistry - never step on each other’s toes, deferring to song rather than self - a lesson few learn in a lifetime...”
Steve Baylin - HOUR
‘‘For a three piece, Genticorum makes a very full and glorious noise, both instrumentally and vocally… This is a band that’s going to go places.’’
Chris Nickson, SING OUT!
“Many new bands that strive for their own voice while maintaining links to a well-established folk tradition fall disproportionately to one side or the other. This recording shows a fine balance, like a tight-rope walker, between the two worlds. A relevant, important recording showing deference to the past with an ear to the current Quebecois trad scene. ”
Matt Large - HELLO DARLIN’ PRODUCTION
Their robust vocals & sheer energy are satisfying, but ultimately it’s the sense of playfulness married to a sonic richness - and those interesting original arrangements – that makes this recording such a devilish pleasure.”
SONGLINES
“True to its heritage, Genticorum has created something exquisitely passionate that quickens the pulse and forces the feet to tap. The sheer energy of their performances and the joy they emit translate instantly and infectiously to audiences. Their strong, expressive French vocals and lush harmonies add rich icing to an already sumptuous cake. Any fan of folk music must hear this supercharged trio at all costs.”
Eric Thom – EXCLAIM
“Genticorum offers the real thing !”
John Terauds - TORONTO STAR
“Their songs were delivered with a cheek and charm that bypassed the need for a French into English dictionary.”
Rob Adams - GLASGOW HERALD
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2014
May 3 Musee Culturel du Mont-Carmel, Lille ME
May 23-25 Folk College, Juniata College, Huntingdon PA
September 20 Dancing Oak Ranch, Ventura CA
2015
April 25 Pacific University, Forest Grove OR
August 7-9 Great Lakes Folk Festival, E. Lansing MI
September 18-20 Michigan Dance Weekend, Port Huron MI
Genticorum is based in Montreal, Quebec. They recently released their first "live" CD, "Enregistre Live," and continue to tour the U.S. and Canada on an on-going basis.
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