Pianist Marianne Trudel allows music to guide her.
She lets go.
“I try to be as available as I can to try to catch the music and go with it,” she said. “I like to get that feeling that I am doing what the music wants.”
The Montréal-based musician also loves improvisation and about half the time during shows she gives herself the freedom to explore new ways to add to her compositions.
“My tunes, I organize them so they are kind of a vehicle for improvisation,” said Trudel. “The feel each time we play the tunes, each time is different, and that is why I love so much this music.”
Trudel said the key to good improvisation is listening skills. She chooses to work with musicians who have those skills.
“I really like musicians who can listen and take risks and go different places each night,” said Trudel.
Trudel performs at Simon Holt restaurant Wednesday (June 22) at 7:30 p.m.
Trudel performs with her quartet, consisting of Jonathan Stewart, saxophone; Morgan Moore, double bass; Robbie Kuster, drum and special guest Ingrid Jensen on trumpet.
Jensen, raised in Nanaimo, has performed in trumpet and jazz festivals around the world.
Trudel said she likes the trumpet, but there aren’t that many trumpet players she really “digs.” Jensen caught her attention and about four years ago she invited her to perform with the group.
Trudel took her first piano lesson when she was five years old.
“I really fell in love with the music and the piano, really there was never no doubts – no doubts in my mind,” said Trudel, about pursuing a career in music.
Since that time, she’s been honing her craft.
She received a bachelor’s degree in jazz from McGill University and a master’s degree in ethnomusicology from Université de Montréal.
Tickets to see the Marianne Trudel Quartet, featuring Jensen, are $25 and are available by calling 250-933-3338 or at the restaurant.
For more, please go to www.mariannetrudel.com.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
