Band On Tour

by Suzette Paradis // Photos © Eric Gagnon

Three years ago, seasoned producer Mario Bazinet from Cabaret du Casino in Montréal had a dream: putting together a tribute to the legendary rock bands of the last decades called Band On Tour. He collaborated with skilled musical director Patrick Coiteux, a living encyclopedia of rock music, set designer Olivier Thuaud, costume designer Suzie Poulin and artistic director Richard Massicotte.

The next step was finding high-caliber singers. Excellent vocal quality, as well as energy and style were essential to reproducing the success of legendary rock bands like the Eagles, AC/DC, The Police, U2, Pink Floyd, Bon Jovi, Supertramp, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, The Doors, Aerosmith, Nirvana, Metallica and Twisted Sister.

Quebec, of course, is full of talent! One by one, auditions were held and the final team was assembled: Fred Lebel (former participant, The Voice Montreal); seasoned veterans Martin Lacasse, Bob St. Laurent and Serge Fortin; and David Latulippe (also from The Voice-Montreal) became the virtuoso Band On Tour.

The Cabaret du Casino show was not only an immediate popular success, but received rave reviews. Additional dates were added in 2018, 2019, and dates have been added for 2020 in Montreal.

During the summer of 2019, a second dream of Bazinet’s was fulfilled: his band of Montreal rockers was offered a residency at Atlantic City NJ’s legendary nightclub, Tropicana, for two months.

Band on Tour has been filling the 2000-seat theater since June 30, and will remain through August 30, 2019. The spectacular Montreal band is rocking every night with audiences sing, dance and scream with Serge Fortin, David Latulippe, Sylvain Auclair, Bob St. Laurent, Fred Lebel and Frank Meloche. Don’t miss Band on Tour at Tropicana Atlantic City until August 30, 2019!

Singers: Serge Fortin, David Latulippe, Sylvain Auclair, Bob St. Laurent, Fred Lebel and Frank Meloche //  Musicians: Philippe Brochu, Steve Washko, Bernard Leblanc, Gilles Boulet, Sébastien Boisvert //  Musical Director: Patrick Coiteux //  Technical Direction: Mathieu Massicotte // Artistic direction: Richard Massicotte

Irresistible charmer: Michael Bublé

by Daniel Ouimet // Photos © Sébastien JettéI attended the Montreal premiere of Michael Bublé, Canada’s greatest charmer, at the end of his tour at the Bell Center in Montreal. With his warm voice and personal magnetism, supported by an orchestra of 34 musicians including a full section of strings, each song is a sensation.

The show began with an arrangement on the old hit, Feeling Good, with Michael Bublé at the back of the stage. The modern yet classical set included 34 musicians and three singers. A string of songs followed, alternating between swing, jazz, romantic ballads, classic hits and songs from his new CD, including Sway, When I Fall in Love, Love You Anymore, Such a Night, When You’re Smiling, and many other favorites. Some were featured classic arrangements, and others delivered creatively like My Funny Valentine in six-beat rhythm.

Audiences love Michael Bublé not only for his music and his voice, but for who he is as a person and the love that he expresses. He proved his magnetism again last night while talking about his family. He became emotional about his recently deceased grandfather, who inspired him to become a singer, and dedicated the song Lazy River to him.

He performed a setlist of over 20 songs, with three encores, for almost two hours
without interruption — except to talk about his family. He captivated spectators of every age, young and old. Halfway into the show, Bublé moved to the center of the stadium with just a few musicians and sang Buona Sera Signorina and Just a Gigolo. He joined the chorus for You’re Nobody ’til Somebody Loves You, while his trumpet player, Jumaane Smith, carried the melody in his deep, powerful voice. Bublé then chose an audience member to sing a duet of  Unforgettable with him. The master showman then dedicated the song, Home, to the service men and women of Canada.

The evening ended as it began with a grand arrangement of Cry Me a River, followed by an orchestra solo and three encores. While singing Where or When, Bublé became very emotional, and thanks to the big screen, the audience could see that his eyes were wet with tears during his rendition of Everything. He finished in true star-style with Always on My Mind before disappearing into the wild applause of the crowd.

A magical evening with a sensational showman and five-star singer!

By Daniel Ouimet for Les ArtsZé  
Photos : Sébastien Jetté

Suzette Paradis
Éditrice, rédactrice en chef
Les ArtsZé, le webmagazine culturel
1902-3250 Forest Hill
Montréal, Qc
H3V 1C8
www.LesArtsZe.com
514-739-0093
https://www.facebook.com/lesartsze/

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Above is our first article from LesArtsZé in Montreal, for whom I am now American correspondent. Enjoy — there is more arts news from LesArtsZé to come!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

By Elizabeth Margolis-Pineo © Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram

2009 – Doug Mack, our friend, ground-breaking chef and traveling bon vivant, listed his favorite Montreal restaurants for us. We vowed to try one (maybe two) a day. First up, Cavalli, is in the heart of town. The front half of the restaurant, wide open to fresh air and passersby, is already packed. Our server speaks perfect English but indulges us as we struggle in French. We try tender grilled octopus with sweet… Read on

2007 / 2008 – Our neighbors to the north put on a heck of a party every year, and guess what? We’re all invited!  The Festival International de Jazz de Montreal is a global musical event, and “international” is its middle name.  Read on …

2010 – My brother-in-law Steve always says, “nothing good happens after midnight.” He has obviously never been to the Montreal Jazz Festival. Free concerts begin at noon, simmering to red hot in evening and deep blue after midnight. The atmosphere is celebratory, ecstatic, with world-class artists like Cassandra Wilson, Taj Mahal and Pat Metheny. This year brought jazz greats Sonny Rollins, Keith Jarrett and Dave Brubeck … Read on…