Clarinetist François Houle didn’t follow a traditional career path associated with his classical training.
It was a meeting with the late Alan Hacker, an English clarinetist, that inspired Houle to explore more musical options and techniques associated with his instrument.
“Having been part of Fires of London and a close collaborator with composers such as Peter Maxwell-Davies, Alan’s insatiable curiosity and deep scholarship inspired me to look for my own personal approach,” said Houle on his website, www.francoishoule.ca.
After spending time with Hacker, Houle began to explore different paths and spent some time in Paris researching new repertoires and he discovered Steve Lacy’s music.
Lacy’s jazz performances changed how Houle viewed the clarinet in connection to jazz music.
“It was the first time that I had found a jazz performance that rivalled with the finest chamber music making I was then more familiar with,” he said. “It was a game changer as far as I was concerned.”
In 1989 Houle moved to Vancouver. It was there that he began to collaborate with other musicians and became part of the contemporary music scene in the city.
Since that time he has worked with a number of organizations including Vancouver New Music, Vancouver Pro Music and he is a founding member of the Standing Wave ensemble.
Houle performs with pianist Benoît Delbecq and pianist Mattias Risberg at the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music, located at 375 Selby St., on Tuesday (June 28) at 7:30 p.m.
Delbecq, was born in St. Germain en Laye, France and now lives near Paris. He is regularly invited to festivals around the world and has released 35 albums.
Risberg is a musician and composer. He is also a faculty member at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Sweden.
Tickets are $25 and are available in advance from the conservatory at Fascinating Rhythm or by calling 250-716-9997. Tickets also available at the door.
Prior to performing in Nanaimo the trio perform at Gabriola Island at the Phoenix Auditorium at The Haven on June 27 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance from North Road Sports and Clothing or $25 at the door.
