Christine Tassan et les Imposteures

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Fourteen years have passed since Christine Tassan et les Imposteures started tending their craft in the gypsy jazz milieu and performing standards, and there is no doubt that they are definitely here to stay. Pioneers in a domain usually reserved for men and precursors of the gypsy wave that swept across Québec, this all-woman quartet continues to reinvent this timeless music while integrating new ideas and influences with an originality and flair we have become familiar with. From standards to original compositions, the Imposteures’ musical arrangements innovate, rejuvenate and leave room for unbridled creativity from four talented and accomplished young women.

Since  the group's inception in 2003 they have solidified their reputation with more than 400 concerts in various venues and festivals, including numerous appearances in major events and tours across Canada and France. They have performed at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Lévis Festival de Jazz, the Festival des guitares in Rouyn-Noranda, April in Paris in Vancouver, and in St-Pierre et Miquelon. Over the years, the band has shared the stage with illustrious gypsy swing musicians, including John Jorgenson, Tchavolo Schmit, Angelo Debarre, Rodolphe Raffalli and David Reindhart.

In June 2014, they had the great pleasure to be invited to the Django Reinhardt Festival of Samois-sur-Seine (France), one of the most prestigious gypsy jazz festivals anywhere, which takes place in the town where the great manouche guitarist lived his last years. In front of more than 2000 enthusiastic people, they stood out with their “finesse” and “joie de vivre” as the very first women and furthermore Québécois gypsy jazz band to perform on this famous stage!

Their first two albums, De bon matin (2007) and Pas manouche, c’est louche (2010), achieved rapid critical acclaim. Only a few weeks after it was released, De bon matin went to the top of Radio-Canada’s Coup de Coeur hit list and reached number one on the Radio Couleur Jazz top 4. In turn, Pas manouche, c’est louche was nominated for Best Jazz Album Creation at the ADISQ awards, alongside other great artists such as Jordan Officer, Julie Lamontagne and Christine Jensen.

On stage, we bear witness to four musicians who have mastered their talents. They improvise with ease, interpret their repertoire with dynamism, and blend their voices together in refined harmonies. But it’s their communicative energy and the personal bond between them that hits home the most. Christine Tassan et les Imposteures, are first and foremost four friends who have harnessed their energies and their voices to give rise to, year after year, the fruit of their creativity.

Their third album, released in 2012 and a finalist at the Opus Prize 2014 in the “Jazz Album of the Year” category, follows in the same lively spirit. Like its two predecessors, it weaves together a clever mix of original compositions and standards, songs and instrumental pieces. The album brims with a ripe confidence that clearly reveals the evolution of the group. 

In April 2016 the band released the fourth album Entre Félix et Django, a double tribute to those two great artists, Félix Leclerc and Django Reinhardt. This ambitious and exciting project marks the beginning of a new chapter for Christine Tassan et les Imposteures, who are once again touring Québec, British Columbia, Canada and the world to showcase their new album.

Most recently, Christine Tassan et les Imposteures were the recipient of an Opus award for Entre Félix & Django - "Album of the Year – Jazz and World Music". The prize was awarded during the 20th edition of the Gala des Prix Opus by the Conseil Québécois de la Musique, which was held on Sunday February 5th, at the Bourgie Hall of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

“Christine Tassan defied gypsy-jazz conventions.” “Despite the name of her quartet—Les imposteures—Christine Tassan adds a special authenticity to the April in Paris festival in Vancouver this weekend.”  – Tony Montague, Georgia Straight, April 19, 2012

“Our inspiration comes very much from Django and [his long-time musical partner] Stéphane Grappelli, but you can feel influences from elsewhere,” she adds. “We mix genres a bit—for instance blending Django’s ‘Minor Swing’ with ‘Le Reel Mattawa’, written in a Québécois traditional vein. We compose quite a lot ourselves.” Straight.com – Tony Montague, Georgia Straight, April 19, 2012

“Their stage act is full of spirit, humour and camaraderie and they readily engage the audience, often venturing into the crowd while playing, making for a very down to earth but uplifting musical experience.” - CBC News, Saskatchewan

[translation] “A enchanting singer with a pretty voice, Christine Tassan is among the rare female lead guitarists playing gypsy swing… and she knows perfectly what she’s doing. Her delicate and clear phrasing always serves the music with some cleverly designed choruses. Her accomplices are in tune: instrumental skills, set up, challenging vocal harmonies, polished arrangements, free flowing swing, infectious enthusiasm… In short, here is a well-crafted and refreshing album! Quite normal, mind you, ‘cause it’s happy time! Great works, girls!” - Francis Couvreux, Je chante Magazine, January, 2013

[translation] “Quite an achievement this 3rd album by Christine Tassan and her imposters. C’est l’heure de l’apéro – which says it all, almost – offers creative swing, nice songs, a lot of humour and sensitivity. The all-woman band’s touch…!” - Stoche, Djangostation.com, November 2, 2012

[translation] “Unflagging energy and flawless complicity.” – Daniel Aubry, LaGuitare.com, October 29, 2012

Please note that the admission price for this concert includes a $2 Venue Improvement Fee that we are required by the St. James Square to collect from every patron. Starting in September 2016, the proceeds from this temporary fee will be used for construction projects such as ventilation, flooring and washrooms that will make the hall a nicer place for you to visit in the future. If you wish, you can make a secure donation by clicking on the big blue button at the bottom of the page at www.sjcommunitysquare.org. For information on donating by phone or post, please contact the St. James Square office at 604-739-9373.