Live at Le Vauban

“Live at La Vauban” is the second recording by the Canadian Jazz Collective (CJC), following our debut release in 2023, ‘Septology’ (HGBS Blue 20217), recorded at the renowned MPS studio in Villingen,Germany. InMay 2023, the CJC embarked on an Album & CD release tour of Europe, traveling to six countries for 16 concerts in 18 days. During the tour, our dual objective was to present music from our debut release and to perform and expand our repertoire with new material, culminating in a live recording.

The music you are hearing is from the final concert of our tour, recorded remotely at Le Vauban in Brest, France. This was a beautiful way for us to document the music that so many listeners at our shows across Europe enjoyed and to bask in the amazing hospitality and ambiance we experienced in Brest, performing for a warm, appreciative, and welcoming audience.

The Canadian Jazz Collective originated from an idea conceived by Ottawa jazz artist manager Judith Humenick to combine the talents of Derrick Gardner, Lorne Lofsky, and Kirk MacDonald to form a new ensemble.We all agreed that this combination would produce an exciting, interesting, and balanced chemistry. We three started discussions about who would complete the group.

All the musicians heard on this recording are world-class jazz artists and leaders of their own groups, each bringing their unique voice to the CJC. The group truly came together over the course of the tour, playing very challenging original music. There’s a chemistry and a kind of magic that happens when a band becomes cohesive after playing night after night. The CJC has experienced rapid growth, transitioning through its early stages to a more mature state in a remarkably brief period.

After successfully releasing our debut album, ‘Septology,’ embarking on two European tours, and touring Canada, the moment had arrived to capture a live recording showcasing our current music and introducing new compositions to enrich our extensive repertoire. The music on this recording exudes freshness and spontaneity, providing an immersive experience that closely resembles being present at the performance. We hope that we have “captured the magic,” and we most certainly hope you enjoy The CJC – “Live at Le Vauban.”
—Derrick Gardner, Lorne Lofsky, Kirk MacDonald, January 2024