John Jorgenson Quintet, Christine Tassan et les Imposteures

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The John Jorgenson Quintet features guitarist John Jorgenson, a founding member of the Desert Rose Band, the Hellecasters, and six-year member of Elton John's band. At a John Jorgenson Quintet performance, audiences are amazed by John's dazzling guitar work as well as his mastery as a clarinet player and vocalist. Whether playing his own accessible compositions or classic standards, John and his band make music that is equally romantic and ecstatic, played with virtuosity and soul.

John Jorgenson is known as one of the pioneers of the American gypsy jazz movement. He has performed as a solo artist as well as collaborated with other musicians all over the world. His articles and lessons on gypsy jazz have appeared in prominent guitar magazines and he has given master classes around the country, and he has performed with some of the most respected European proponents of this style. Although renowned in the pop, country and rock world, gypsy jazz is the style of music closest to his heart. Because of his international reputation as a gypsy jazz player, John was twice asked to recreate Django Reinhardt's music for feature films, Gattica and Head in The Clouds. The latter, released in early 2005 and starring Charlize Theron and Penelope Cruz, features John on camera as Django Reinhardt, complete with burned hand and gypsy moustache.

John's quintet also includes Doug Martin on rhythm guitar, Simon Planting on acoustic bass, Rick Reed on drums, and the mercurial fiddler Jason Anick. They were a huge hit at last year's festival, and we are delighted to welcome them back again this year.

Pioneers in a men's musical world and precursors of the manouche wave swelling all over Québec, Christine Tassan et Les Imposteures offer an exquisite tour of a unique universe. Rarely do we see an entirely feminine jazz group and it is especially unique in Gypsy jazz. With their brand new show, the four cheeky troubadours push a little further the inventiveness of their gypsy jazz: original songs with a wealth of vocal harmonies, covers that will flabbergast you and of course, instrumentals giving way to fabulously wild improvs with the violin and the guitar.

In the spirit of the gypsies, they will have you embark on an unconventional journey, starting with crazy Montréal nights, going through the Limoilou neighbourhood of Québec, with destination Paris and Eastern Europe. Four musicians burst out and deliver a spirited and virtuoso concert. These musicians have great energy, and their pleasure in performing is contagious. They improvise effortlessly and also sing very well alternating their pieces during a show from Gypsy instrumental to song, always with original arrangements and upbeat compositions.