I feels like this week just keeps dragging on and on, so who better to kick us through the last two days of the week than one of my favorite bassists, namely the Canadian Alain Caron. Alain’s career took off when he won an amateur music contest at the age of 11. At the age of 14 he discovered jazz, the musical style that became his passion in life.
In 1977, he began playing with a group of musicians who eventually formed the super fusion band UZEB. The group called Montreal its home and Alain began doing side work as a studio musician and jamming in jazz clubs when the group was idle. Eventually, this self-taught musician found his way to Boston’s Berklee School of Music where he performed nightly with the likes of David Kikovsky, Tom Harrell, Sal Nestico, Frank Tiberi, Jerry Bergonzi, and Bob Moses.
He returned to Montreal to focus mainly on UZEB as the group gradually evolved into a more mature band, playing sophisticated fusion. Between 1981 and 1990 UZEB recorded ten albums and sold over 400,000 copies, performing concerts in more than 20 countries.
Caron has toured with Mike Stern, Frank Gambale, Biréli Lagrène, Didier Lockwood, Tiger Okoshi, Billy Cobham, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Dennis Chambers, Alex Acuna, Don Alias and Gino Vannelli performing concerts in more than 30 countries
In 2007 The University of Quebec, awarded him an honorary doctorate and he is the only musician to have ever received this honor. As of today, Alain has released more than 20 records, solo or with the group UZEB as well as 25 recordings with collaborators or as a guest artist. He was ranked Best Bass player for 10 years in the row by magazine The Jazz Report. I could go on and on, but I think his music says it all. Enjoy!
No left turn on Tuesday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-Vbc4MOsq0&feature=related
Slam the clown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bu8TVgRJtk&feature=related
Feel the bass day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR-oOUFWzxE&feature=related
Cross Checking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4c_BlnZHVg&feature=related
I’m pairing Alain with a 2009 Chad Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from Napa Valley. Chad makes spectacular Cab’s and this one is especially good. The deep purple wine explodes with a bouquet of raspberry and boysenberry. It’s dense on the attack with lots of purple fruit, cassis, and supple tannins. I bought a case of it thinking it would last through the winter. It won’t. It’s a wonderful pick-me-up for a dreary week, especially paired with the music of Alain Caron. Enjoy!
Cheers!
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