FUSING NEOCLASSICAL PIANO AND LUSH, HYPNOTIC ELECTRONICS
LISTEN AND SHARE “BLIND” HERE
STREAM / PURCHASE “BLIND” HERE
SOPHOMORE ALBUM DUE IN 2018 VIA ARTS & CRAFTS
“…a succinct collection of minimal piano compositions that runs the gamut of human emotions: hope, sadness, joy, and fear.” – Noisey on Il
"Jean-Michel Blais strings together stunning improvisations and composed pieces that harken back to Chopin, Satie, and modern minimalists like Harold Budd... The music breathes, and it invites you to take a moment and recognize there’s still plenty of beauty left in the world."
- TIME Magazine on Il, #10 Album Of The Year 2016
"Simply put, Il is a masterpiece." - Exclaim on Il (9/10)
“Blais's compositions can be as poignant as they are playful, mixing together accessible melodies with experimental flourishes.” - CBC on Il
PHOTO CREDIT : John Londono // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES
Jean-Michel Blais, the Montreal-based pianist and composer, has shared “blind”, a unique synthesis of classical piano and electronics that follows the previously shared single “roses” from last month. The piece begins with plaintive piano, composed using material Blais had developed during sessions of improvisation, before slowly incorporating electronics that bubble and pulse into the foreground. The track signals a new direction for Blais, not an abandonment of the post-classical style that defined his debut Il, but a fusion of other compositional tools and textural elements.
LISTEN AND SHARE “BLIND” HERE
STREAM / PURCHASE “BLIND” HERE
“roses” and “blind” showcase two unique sides to Blais’ compositions which will be further explored on his upcoming sophomore release, which will be announced soon and released later in the year.
Last year Blais collaborated with CFCF for an acclaimed EP Cascades on Arts & Crafts, which struck a unique balance between classical composition and contemporary electronic music. The collaboration stemmed from a featured performance the at the Red Bull Music Academy in Montreal. In 2016 he released his debut album Il, which introduced Blais as an exciting new voice in the realm of crossover classical music.
LISTEN AND SHARE “ROSES” HERE
“BLIND” SINGLE ARTWORK // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES
PERFORMANCE DATES
Mar 24 - Église Emmanuel - Cowansville, QC
Apr 15 - Salle Pauline-Julien - Ste-Geneviève, QC
May 13 - Théâtre du Marais - Val-Morin, QC
May 16 - Constellation - Chicago, IL
Jun 29 - Festival International de Jazz de Montreal 2018 - Montreal, QC
MORE PRAISE FOR JEAN-MICHEL BLAIS’ IL
“...meditative modern classical instrumentals… stark and accessible emotionality” - The Fader
“a succinct collection of minimal piano compositions that runs the gamut of human emotions: hope, sadness, joy and fear” - Noisey
“...nothing short of stunning… This is music that makes your chest feel tight. It is music that feels like clusters of stars being born and dying. It is music that will persist.” - IMPOSE
“the blissful eight-tracker captures Blais' penchant for experimentation” - XLR8R
“...a blindingly bright 28-minute release exploring piano textures” - FACT Mag
“There's this sense of measured extemporaneity to his playing that allows my mind to wander unlike anything else this year.” - MTV, Meaghan Garvey
“Il features both astonishing flurries of notes and graceful pacing...It’s thrilling,
versatile music.” - The Verge