Gentiane MG
Gentiane MG has established herself as an important voice as a Canadian jazz pianist and composer. She made a powerful impression on Montreal’s jazz scene with her two albums for piano trio, Eternal Cycle (2017) and Wonderland (2019). MG is releasing her third album with this ensemble, Walls Made of Glass, on September 23, 2022.
MG has received several awards for her works, including theOPUS Award for Discovery of the Year (2020), the CBC/Radio-Canada Jazz Award (2018) and the François-Marcaurelle de la GMMQ Award (2017). Eternal Cycle was highlighted by CBC Music as one of 10 outstanding Canadian jazz albums of 2017. She has toured around the world performing at festivals and venues including the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Ottawa’sNational Arts Centre, Germany’s Jazz ahead Festival, China’s Mercedes BenzHall, Africa’sMASA Festival, and Mexico’s Festival Internacional Jazz UV. She’s played alongside musicians such as Christine Jensen, Andre White, Chet Doxas, Yannick Rieu, Jim Doxas, Jeremy Pelt, Jean-Michel Pilc and Ira Coleman, and released a duo album entitled Convergence with saxophonist Frank Lozano.
MG’s music reflects her development as a classical pianist and improviser, incorporating the aesthetics of impressionism with the rhythmic sensibility of contemporary jazz. These influences come together in a deeply personal universe shaped with contrasting colours and memorable melodies that bring imagination and mystery to a compelling acoustic landscape. MG is joined by bassist Levi Dover and drummer Louis-Vincent Hamel who contribute their original voices to her music. Over several years of performing and touring together, the band has developed its own language, transcending genre ands triving for creative freedom.
“Walls Made of Glass” was released on September 23, 2022. Buy “Walls Made of Glass” on Bandcamp to best support the artist. You can also buy/listen on Apple Music, and Spotify.
“Montreal-based pianist/composer Gentiane Michaud-Gagnon, known simply as Gentiane MG, confirms her stature as a major artist on her third album as leader… Listening to this album communicates a sense of peace and perhaps gentleness. There is nothing glib, nothing faked, simply confident creativity. This is a thoroughly enjoyable release. Merci. ★★★★1/2 out of five”
Keith Black – Winnipeg Free Press
“…her writing is phenomenally brilliant. She is a standout talent. Michaud-Gagnon's music flows masterfully with poise and grace. She commands the piano with elegance, subtlety, and a refined quiet knowing.”
Kerilie McDowall – All About Jazz