Information for the press Updated : 12 th May 2008
Biography Martin Verret Violonist from father to son Martin Verret, representative of the fourth generation of a lineage of violinists of Lac-St- Charles, he has the music in his blood. In his case, the expression is perfectly suited. Practically born with a stringed instrument between his hands, Martin Verret learned from the age of four the basics of the violin from his father s friend, Arthur Leblanc folklorist came for supper regularly. It is also at the age of 4 that Martin gives his first concert. Accepted at the age of 9 in the Conservatoire of Quebec, Martin Verret afterward had the chance to polish up his technique with prestigious teacher Claude Létourneau. Five years later, the young musician participated in the recording of his first album in duet with his father "Reflets du passé". The following year, France opened its the doors to the musician. A passage noticed on the European continent which has earned him a second presence, this time in Portugal in 1997, when he was able to emphasize the Quebecois traditional music in front of a conquered public. At the age of 16, Martin Verret already earned the privilege to perform at the Chateau Frontenac and teach the violin to the finishing students at the Monastère des Ursulines. A little more than ten years later, the young virtuoso pursues brilliant career as violinist whose talent oscillates between the classical music and the folklore. "It has been 11 years since I am recognized in the hotel business, he clarifies. That is why I learned to please a public in diverse circumstances, such as suppers, cocktail parties or thematic evenings. " Martin Verret's various contracts sometimes brought him to perform in front of personalities from the most diverse origins. Among these original performances, let us indicate the first part of a Ginette Reno s concert, a concert in front of the shareholders of the Toyota company or a participation to the official 2005 reception of the television broadcast "Courir la pomme" with Annie Brocoli. But the most impressive performance remains to this day the Cocktail party for the heads of state in a very wealthy and hyper-secure concert where president George W. Bush was present during his passage at the Sommet des Ameriques in Quebec in 2001. At the moment, the violinist divides his time between the music teaching at the beginning of the week and concerts for the remainder of the week. " The holidays and the 400th anniversary of Quebec will be very busy for me", he admits. Martin Verret Violonist 2
Classical and folk music Martin Verret recently took the initiative to produce his own album which offers a personal visit of several classical pieces, after participating in the recording of disks intended to immortalize the family versions of numerous folk pieces. "I am the first one of the family to revisit classical authors and to go further, he explains. It is more a music of the world compact disk than a classical music compact disk. It is adapted to my personal musical background. I feel a little like traditions bearer! " Which explains the title " Free Style", on which the violinist is accompanied by six professional musicians. Extract of Québec Hebdo 16 Dec. 2006, vol. 20 nr. 8, by Jancimon Reid Martin Verret Violonist 3
Discography Style libre Martin Verret is the first one of the family to revisit classical music and to investigate a larger musical span. It is more a music of the world compact disk than a classical music compact disk. On this new disk, on which the violinist is accompanied by six professional musicians, Martin Verret defines himself as a traditions bearer, which explains the title "Free Style". Various collaborations Jean-Marie et Martin Verret. Reflets du passé. 1993 ll the traditional musicians of Quebec know the Verret family. Jules and Yves (his father and his uncle) were two of the dominant figures of their time. They marked and influenced most of the violin and accordion players of Quebec by their unique repertoire and their virtuosity. Jean-Marie is one of the sons of Jules Verret. He holds, as we say, the family secrets and the musical genius of the Verret. Since he is a virtuoso fiddler and talented composer, some people see in him with good reason, the most Quebecois of our fiddlers. His repertoire is immense and emphasizes the square dance of the XIXth and of the beginning of the XXth century. His particular style and his ornamentation made him one of the great masters of the Quebecois violin. Source : Trente Sous Zéro Jean-Marie et Martin Verret. Quadrille du XIXe et XXe siècle. 1997 Jean-Marie Verret's first realization on compact disk, Quadrille du XIXe et XXe siècle is certainly one of the most beautiful of all the Quebecois collection. The musicality, the virtuosity of the instrumentalists, the quality of the recording, the originality and the beauty of the repertory place this production among the jewels of the traditional violin. The 1997 traditional Quebecois music productions were already highly praised, but with the arrival of "Verretteries", it is now necessary to consider it as one of the most important. Martin Verret has now reached a musical maturity and his interpretation solidly comes to support his father Jean-Marie whom we find here in a magnificent shape, at the top of his art. With the ardour of Jos Bouchard whom he associated with during numerous years, and the sharpness of his father Jules, he reinvents the Quebecois music for violin. It is a Martin Verret Violonist 4
Jules, he reinvents the Quebecois music for violin. It is a pure enjoyment for every violin lover, a disk which we constantly savor from the beginning to the end. It is difficult for me to hide my craze for this realization, while humbly hoping to share it with you. Source : Trente Sous Zéro Qualité du plaisir. VHS. 1998 How do we report various demonstrations of the Quebecois culture, its unique character and its insertion in the modern world? How do we translate the artistic, literary and media manifestations of this culture within the framework of a documentary series adapted to the world of television and broadcasting? Such is the double challenge which this series of 18 episodes tries to confer. Produced by the consortium Synercom Téléproductions, in association with the national Institute of scientific research and its center INRS-Culture and Society. Source : Presses de l'université Laval Sonia Bertrand. Bohémiens. 2004 After 12 years of stage performances, singer Sonia Bertrand, from Quebec, realizes her dream to record a disk thanks to the help of a couple of admirers. On "Bohémiens", she revives, with her intense voice, Charles Aznavour and Léo Ferré's classics and also offers four original pieces written by an author from the Old Capital, André Laverdière. Among the new creations, we shall especially remember "Mon bel amour" with its attractive Arabic tones. The music is generally rather discreet. Punctuated here and there with gypsy accents, it underlines her voice. The quality of Sonia Bertrand's performance establishes the main interest of the album. The singer possesses a warm, flexible and felted voice. Her maturity allows her to inhabit her songs. The emotion is so tangible in the new version of Avec le temps, a difficult piece, it makes us shiver. For the moment, the artist has no distributor and the album is available only at Sillons and Archambault (Quebec and Sainte-Foy). Source : Le Soleil, 20 March 2004 Martin Verret Violonist 5
Line Tremblay. Premier Rendez-vous. 2007 Born in Quebec, endowed with a natural and self-taught talent, Line Tremblay began singig when she was still young. She was motivated by a family circle where singing and listening to the music which rocked la Belle époque. She participates in amateurs' competitions and as soloist in several choirs of which famous Vlà l'bon vent due to her strong musical heritage and fascination for the vocal art. In May 2007, she realizes a dream and launches her very first solo album entitled "Premier Rendez-vous" (First Meeting) at l'espace Félix Leclerc at l'île d'orléans. Source : QuébecHebdo Stéphane Landry. Transition. 2007. Stéphane Landry is unmistakably one of the great masters of the small accordion in Quebec. He is a famous virtuoso, his style is pleasant, animated and endowed by furious rhythmics. His work of the last years with the group Entourloupe has earned him recognition outside Quebec. Surrounded by numerous experienced musicians, he went out of his way to show us all the facets and angles of his musical repertory. From classical repertory, to Gérald Lajoie and Philippe Bruneau, from creations to Irish medleys, Stéphane wanted to please himself and please us. Thus he invited, one by one, his musicians/friends with whom he has shared his music for numerous years. The list is long and speaks by itself. For all those who like traditional music, for the accordion passionate and for those who would like to discover the instrument. Source : Trente Sous Zéro Martin Verret Violonist 6
References Martin Verret has been performing in the hotel business for more than 10 years. Thanks to this experience, he has learned to please different publics in diverse circumstances, whether in suppers, cocktail parties or thematic evenings. Martin Verret's various contracts sometimes brought the musician to perform in front of personalities coming from the most diverse horizons. You will discover here a selection of some of Martin Verret's references. Contact for the press Martin Verret (418) 955-8621 info@martinverret.com Pictures, audio extracts and videos are available on Martin Verret s website : http://www.martinverret.com Martin Verret Violonist 7