Jean Derome French-Canadian avant-garde saxophonist, flautist and composer Date of Birth: 29.06.1965 Country: Canada

1. Biography of Jean Derome
2. Early Life and Education
3. Early Career and Collaborations
4. Later Career and Achievements

Biography of Jean Derome

Jean Derome is a Franco-Canadian avant-garde saxophonist, flautist, and composer. He is considered one of the most prominent figures of the Montreal movement 'musique actuelle'. Derome has been a part of several experimental collectives and rock bands, and has contributed to the recording of 30 albums, including 7 solo albums. He has also composed music for over 30 films and is one of the founders of the Canadian music group and independent record label 'Ambiances Magnétiques'.

Early Life and Education

Jean Derome was born in Montreal, Quebec. He studied music theory at Cégep de Saint-Laurent in Montreal from 1972 to 1975. From 1975 to 1979, he furthered his musical education at the Quebec Conservatory of Music, where he learned to play the flute. During this time, Derome also taught music theory and flute playing at various Montreal colleges from 1974 to 1983.

Early Career and Collaborations

In 1973, Derome formed his first group called 'Nébu', which was one of the first avant-garde jazz groups in Quebec. He played the flute, accompanied by Pierre St-Jacques on piano and Claude Simard on bass. The trio created a contemporary jazz sound with influences from the classical genre. 'Nébu' performed extensively in Quebec and even participated in the French 'Festival de Musique Ouverte de Châteauvallon' in 1977 and the first Montreal International Jazz Festival in 1980. The group recorded two albums, 'Nébu' and 'Motus', before disbanding in 1981.

In 1978, Derome, St-Jacques, and several other musicians formed the Ensemble de Musique Improvisée de Montréal (EMIM), an informal collective of improvisers and jazz musicians. EMIM played a significant role in promoting various talented groups, with Derome often taking on the roles of composer, arranger, and flautist.

Later Career and Achievements

In 1983, Derome started playing the saxophone in the street group 'La Grande Aventure'. He later collaborated closely with two other collectives specializing in the works of Thelonious Monk, namely 'Mystérioso' and 'Évidence'. In the same year, Derome and Quebec guitarist René Lussier founded 'Ambiances Magnétiques', a record label and musical collective that provided opportunities for avant-garde musicians. One of the first projects released through 'AM' was the group 'Les Granules', which was also created by Derome and Lussier.

Between 1988 and 1991, Derome and Lussier actively performed at jazz festivals in North America and Europe. In 1989, they joined Fred Frith's group 'Keep the Dog' and primarily toured with them.

Throughout his career, Derome collaborated with several notable musicians such as Chris Cutler, Pierre Tanguay, Myles Boisen, Louis Sclavis, and Jandek. He released his debut solo album, 'Confitures de Gagaku', in 1988, followed by six more solo albums in the next 14 years. Derome also composed music for films, mainly for Quebecois directors such as Michèle Cournoyer, Jacques Leduc, Pierre Hébert, and Jean Detheux. In the early 1980s, he also composed music for theatrical productions.