Artists Jean René
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Ambiances Magnétiques / AM 248, AM 248_NUM / 2019
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Ambiances Magnétiques / AM 242, AM 242_NUM / 2018
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Nessa Records / NCD 40 / 2018
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Ambiances Magnétiques / AM 239, AM 239_NUM / 2017
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Mikroclimat / MKR 103 / 2017
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Ambiances Magnétiques / AM 230, AM 230_NUM / 2016
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Jean René has a Bachelor’s degree in composition from the Université de Montréal. He has studied viola and conducting; Raffi Armenian, Michel Longtin, and Bruno Guiranna were his professors. From 1991 to 2002, he was associate principal violist with l’Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal. He still freelances with a number of ensembles. Since 1990 he has collaborated with many artists, including André Duchesne, Pierre Cartier, Jean Derome and René Lussier. He also headed the group from the Ensemble SuperMusique for the Symphony of the Millennium.
Jean René
Victoriaville (Québec), 1956
Residence: Montréal (Québec)
- Performer (viola)
- Conductor
Associated groups
Main releases
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Mikroclimat / MKR 103 / 2017
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&records / ET 22 / 2014
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&records / ET 08 / 2010
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Appearances
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Ambiances Magnétiques / AM 248, AM 248_NUM / 2019
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Nessa Records / NCD 40 / 2018
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Ambiances Magnétiques / AM 242, AM 242_NUM / 2018
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Ambiances Magnétiques / AM 239, AM 239_NUM / 2017
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Mode Records / MODE 291 / 2016
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Ambiances Magnétiques / AM 230, AM 230_NUM / 2016
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Ambiances Magnétiques / AM 222 / 2015
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In the press
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Kurt Gottschalk, All About Jazz, June 4, 2012The quartet was lively and precise, and showed once again what a unique group of composers and interpreters there are under the Ambiances Magnétiques banner.
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Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery, May 30, 2012What was surprising about this set was that you never knew what direction was coming next.
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François Couture, Monsieur Délire, May 19, 2012A very fine project that deserves to record at least twice: one album of originals and one album of covers. Any takers?
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Jean René. Prophète dans son paysYanick Poisson, La Tribune, May 3, 2012J’ai toujours le goût d’aller plus loin, de pousser plus loin mes recherches et non pas juste d’interpréter.
Victoriaville 2012
The other part of Ambiances Magnétiques institutionalization came in the form of a sort of repertory group led by violist Jean René, who released the remarkable solo recording, Fammi (&records) in 2010. With violinist Joshua Zubot, fantastic drummer Pierre Tanguay and bassist Nicolas Caloia, René struck a Stéphane Grappelli bop that could melt and reform in quick minutes and turn to upbeat Québécois folk the next. The set list was comprised of an Ambiances Magnétiques songbook, with old and new pieces by Derome, Normand Guilbeault and René Lussier, as well as some of René’s own pieces. The quartet was lively and precise, and, along with Ensemble Supermusique, showed once again what a unique group of composers and interpreters there are under the Ambiances Magnétiques banner. (…)
Victo 2012
From a different perspective, the next set also faetured three strings but was completely different. The last set of Day 2 featured a quartet led by Jean René on viola with Joshua Zubot on violin, Nicolas Caloia on acoustic bass and Pierre Tanguay on drums. The sound of this ensemble was like a twisted string quartet with the drums as an equal part. Whereas Zorn’s string players were articulate and tight, this quartet had a looser earthiness, which was wild and chaotic at times. The quartet blended partially written material with frenzied sections and sparse moments as well. Mr. René’s writing seemed to draw from folk/rock as well as the odd classical influence. Sometimes all three strings buzzed together intensely while longtime AM drummer Pierre Tanguay balanced both rhythmic and subtle melodic counterpoint. What was surprising about this set was that you never knew what direction was coming next. Both Josh Zubot on violin and Jean René on viola took a number of inspired solos while the group interplay that was filled with many odd twists and turns. This was music that will take some time to get used to so it is probably a good idea to get Mr. René’s disc on AM (sic!) and dig in deeper.
FIMAV 2012 Diary: Jean René, “Le Blastographe”
Great Québécois musique actuelle from yesterday (pieces by Lussier, Derome, and Guilbeault) and today (Jean René’s original compositions). Whimsy, humour, tenderness, group playing. A very fine project that deserves to record at least twice: one album of originals and one album of covers. Any takers?
Jean René. Prophète dans son pays

Blog
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The next Mercredimusics will host Joane Hétu (alto saxophone and voice), Mélanie Ladouceur (video), Lévy Bourbonnais (harmonica) and Jean René (alto violin) on April 7, 2010 at the Casa Obscura in Montréal.…
Thursday, April 1, 2010 / In concert -
The next Mercredimusics brings together Lori Freedman (clarinet), Guido Del Fabbro (violin) Jean René (alto violin), Rainer Wiens (guitar, kalimba) and…
Thursday, November 5, 2009 / In concert -
Josh Zubot, Jean René, Brad Barr, Lori Freedman and Joe Grass will be at Le Cagibi on Tuesday October 27, 2009. Mardi Spaghetti is a weekly series for creative music in Montréal. Leaning heavily on improvisation, each Tuesday at Le Cagibi f…
Thursday, October 15, 2009 / In concert