Steve Amirault
Piano  Composition
Nova Scotia
born pianist Steve Amirault began
his interest in music by playing the drums at 7 years old. By the age
of 12 his interest in composition led him to the piano. After
graduating in music from St. Fransis Xavier University, the young
musician moved to Montreal. In 1988 Steve was awarded and Arts B grant
from the Canada Arts Council to study with New York pianist/composer
Richie Beirach. "...Steve is well on the way towards forming his own
personal style of improvising and composing..." -- Richie Beirach.
In 1991, the Steve Amirault Trio won the Montreal International Jazz
Festival Competition. During that time the pianist was already living
and working in the world jazz capital, New York City. This led to
working with many jazz greats such as Joe Lovano, Eddie Henderson, Tim
Hagans, Joe Locke, Bob Moses, Ron McClure, Harvey Swartz, and Mike
Clark and in 1992, a tour and recording with legendary bassist Eddie
Gomez.
In 1993, Steve Amirault returned to Montreal and the following year
released his long awaited CD That's What. This recording
is made up of
eight original compositions and one standard. "Highly intriguing
compositions, so thoroughly conceived, pieces I want to keep hearing.
Amirault augments the past with a sparkling, decisive sense of
placement. This is the work of a perfectionist..." Cadence
Magazine.
That's What also features New York based Canadian saxophonist Seamus
Blake.
In 1995, Steve Amirault was awarded the New York Studio Lofts Arts
Grant from the Conseil des Art et des Lettres du Quebec. This project
enabled him to compose the new music that he recorded with great
musicians, drummer Tony Moreno and bassist Sean Conly.
In June of 1997, the pianist released his second CD Reflecting
Images
on Montreal label Nu-Jazz "... Reflecting Images numbers among the
most
inventive piano trio sessions of 1997..." Cadence Magazine Dec.
1997.
Performances since releasing his second CD include two trio concerts in
the Jazz D series of the Montreal International Jazz
Festival, 1997/98,
a solo concert in the Pianissimo series of the Ottawa
International
Jazz Festival, 1998, two solo performances for CBC radio, Silence
on
jazz, 1998, Club de minuit, 1999 and in March of 2000
recorded with
legendary drummer Joe Chambers for CBC radio's Jazz Beat. As
well a
several club performances in Montreal.
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