Alex Francoeur: Missing Element - COMPACT DISCS

Title: Missing Element
Artist: Alex Francoeur
Label: Effendi
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 690579015125
Genre: Jazz
Release Date: 2018-06-01
Number of Discs: 1

Missing Element - Live at Upstairs" is the first effort by Alex Francoeur as a leader. Alex has composed all of the music, with the exception of one jazz standard, "I Hear a Rhapsody." The goal of this record was to capture the energy and spirit of live jazz music: exciting, unpredictable and daring. His quintet, comprised of Chris Edmondson on alto saxophone, Gentiane MG on piano, Levi Dover on bass and Louis-Vincent Hamel on drums, do justice to this objective in brilliant fashion, with each of their individual voices shining through while conserving a concise group sound. Alex Francoeur is a mainstay in Montreal's jazz community. After graduating from Schulich's jazz performance program in May 2017, Francoeur has continued to maintain a busy playing schedule. He writes of this release: "After spending seven straight years in music schools, I felt the need to document this exciting period of transition from a controlled academic environment to life as a freelance musician. While in school, I had the benefit of being able to write and perform music with truly exceptional young musicians, and this album not only encompasses that experience but it will also act as a stepping stone for the rest of my career. I've had the idea of a live recording for many years. Many of my favorite albums were recorded live... All of these records have a special energy to them, and I find it difficult to truly capture that feeling in a studio setting.

Tracks:
1.1 Spark
1.2 The Dirge
1.3 Missing Element
1.4 Tides
1.5 I Hear a Rhapsody
1.6 Recovery
1.7 XDF
1.8 Try
1.9 Spark - Reprise