Chantale Gagne - Wisdom of the Water

'Chantale's compositions and arrangements were quite beautiful and an inspiration to me.' -Peter Washington, bassist 'Both in her playing and writing, her warmth and sincerity are in evidence throughout this session.' -Joe Locke, vibraphonist A native of Quebec, Canada, jazz pianist Chantale Gagné began studying music at the age of 8. At 15, the piano becomes Chantale's passion. From 1997 to 1999, she studied jazz piano with James Gelfand at College Marie-Victorin in Montreal, followed by 4 years at McGill University where she received her degree in "Jazz Piano Performance". In 2005, Chantale met famous pianist Kenny Barron and although she studied with him for a short period of time, this encounter proved to be so inspiring to Chantale both as a pianist and composer that she realized jazz had become her deepest calling. For the past years, Chantale has been busy performing in Canada, U.S. and Europe from trio, quartet to piano solo and big bands. Silent Strength her self-produced debut recording album with Peter Washington on bass and Lewis Nash on drums, has been met with great reviews and features many of her original compositions. After releasing Silent Strength, the music of Chantale Gagné has been played on radio in the following countries further to the media attention which she received: Australia, Argentina, Colombia, Greece, New Zealand, Poland, Byelorussia, Canada, the United States, Netherlands, Scotland, England, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia. In October, 2008, Chantale is honored by Radio-Canada in receiving the distinction Révélation Radio-Canada Musique 2008-09. This recognition allows her to benefit from a privileged support and from a particular visibility on all the platforms of the public diffuser. She was moreover invited to perform along with Peter Washington and Lewis Nash, during the launch of Espace Jazz. In 2009, the American jazz magazines, Jazz Times, Cadence and JazzWax.com, as well as the German Magazine, Jazz Podium have been positively reviewing the album Silent Strength. 2009 and 2010 have been decisive as far as Chantale's growing interest in composition. Wisdom Of The Water, her new album, released in September 2010, demonstrates a totally different sound with a strong folk/heartland influence that she reveals as a composer as well as a pianist. Vibes player Joe Locke is featured on this album along with Peter Washington on bass and Lewis Nash on drums.