Lorraine Desmarais

lorrainedesmarais.com


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“An iconic figure in Canadian jazz and a virtuoso improviser, she has been paving the way for over 40 years.​

BIOGRAPHY

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Pianist and composer Lorraine Desmarais is an iconic figure and a pioneer of jazz piano in Canada. Renowned for her virtuosity, creativity and remarkable musical freedom, she performs as a soloist, in trio and with big bands and numerous symphony orchestras on stages across Canada, the United States, Mexico, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Her discography includes fourteen albums, three of which (Trio Lorraine Desmarais, Jazz  pour Noël and Lorraine Desmarais Big Band) have won Félix Awards at the ADISQ Gala. She holds an honorary doctorate from the Université du Québec à Montréal, was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2013 and was named a Companion of the Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec in 2025.

 


Throughout her career, she has shared the stage with internationally renowned jazz artists, including Chick Corea, Oliver Jones, Jacky Terrasson, Joe Lovano, Paquito D’Rivera, the Brubeck Brothers and New York’s DIVA Jazz Orchestra.​​

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​FROM QUEBEC - CANADA​​

​AWARDS

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  • 2025 Compagne de l'Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec,​
  • 2016 Prix OPUS : concert de l’année-région pour l’œuvre‘’Rimouski Jazz Suite’’
  • ​​2015 Prix Vic Vogel Festi Jazz International Rimouski 
  • 2014 Prix Hommage du Festijazz Mont-Tremblant 
  • 2013 Prix JazzFest des jeunes du Québec (MusicFest Canada) 
  • 2013 Médaille du Jubilé de Diamant de Sa Majesté La Reine Elizabeth II 
  • 2013 Prix OPUS du Conseil Québécois de la Musique : ‘’Interprète de l’année’’ 

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  • 2013 Reçue Membre de l’Ordre du Canada 
  • 2012 Prix Coq d’Art de la Fondation Culture et Arts Visuels de Laval 
  • 2011 Doctorat honoris causa décerné par l’UQÀM 
  • 2009 Prix FÉLIX à l’ADISQ pour l’album «Lorraine Desmarais Big Band» 
  • 2007 Prix des compositeurs «André Gagnon» SPACQ 
  • 2007 Prix d’interprétation au clavier de la Fondation des Arts de l’Ontario 
  • 2006 Prix FÉLIX à l’ADISQ pour l’album «Jazz pour Noël» 
  • 2005 Prix OPUS : «Elles Jazzent» Concert Jazz de l’année 

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  • 2005 Prix ARTS ET CULTURE Gala Femmes de mérite 
  • 2004 Prix JUNO pour «Lost In The Stars» avec Guido Basso 
  • 2004 Prix à la création du Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec 
  • 2002 Prix OSCAR-PETERSON au Festival International de Jazz de Montréal 
  • 1991 Prix des compositeurs de la SOCAN pour l’album «Vision» 
  • 1986 Prix : GREAT AMERICAIN JAZZ COMPETITION, Floride, USA 
  • 1985 Prix FÉLIX à l’ADISQ pour l’album Jazz de l’année «Trio Lorraine Desmarais»

AVAILABLE PROJECTS

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LORRAINE DESMARAIS & FRIENDS

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VIDEO
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Lorraine Desmarais & Friends​​

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A leading figure in Canadian jazz, pianist and composer Lorraine Desmarais brings together three outstanding musicians for a vibrant musical encounter.

Joined by acclaimed trombonist and conductor Alain Trudel, bassist Éric Lagacé, renowned for his long-standing collaboration with legendary pianist Oliver Jones, and drummer Paul Brochu, a member of the iconic jazz fusion group UZEB, she presents a new project drawn from an album recorded last December.

Premiered at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 2026, this concert promises an unforgettable evening of pure jazz, driven by the energy, artistry, and unmistakable voice of one of Canada's most celebrated jazz musicians


MUSICIENS 

  • Lorraine Desmarais – piano and arrangements
  • Alain Trudel - trombone
  • Éric Lagacé – double bass
  • Paul Brochu – drums

TRIBUTE TO MICHEL LEGRAND

​Trio Lorraine Desmarais 

& Sonia Johnson​


VIDEO


Tribute to Michel Legrand​​

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Michel Legrand’s most beautiful melodies come to life anew in an exceptional collaboration between the virtuosic piano of Lorraine Desmarais and the captivating voice of Sonia Johnson, joined by Alec Walkington on double bass and Camil Bélisle on drums.


Driven by their remarkable musical chemistry, the concert brings fresh elegance and a spirit of jazz freedom to timeless classics such as Les Moulins de mon cœur, L’Été 42, La Valse des Lilas and Quand ça balance. A vibrant tribute where virtuosity, emotion and refinement celebrate the legacy of one of the 20th century’s greatest composers.


Also available as a duo. VIDEO​​

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MUSICIANS 

  • Lorraine Desmarais – piano and arrangements ​
  • Sonia Johnson - vocals
  • Alec Walkington – double bass​
  • Camil Bélisle – drums

​LORRAINE DESMARAIS TRIO

STREET BEAT SUITE

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VIDEOS

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​Jam Session, par le Trio Lorraine Desmarais​​

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À l'aube... Vers le Fleuve..., par le Trio Lorraine Desmarais​​​ ​

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Street Beat, par le Trio Lorraine Desmarais​ 


Promenade de la mer, par le Trio Lorraine Desmarais

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​Street Beat Suite is an eight-movement work composed by Lorraine Desmarais. Swing, jazz waltz, bebop, free jazz, funk, hip-hop, Afro-Cuban music, romantic ballad… An invitation to a unique moment when a trio of virtuosos draws on a rich palette of styles to offer a passionate portrayal of the riverside city. 

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MUSICIANS

  • Lorraine Desmarais – piano
  • Alec Walkington – double bass
  • Camil Bélisle – drums

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LORRAINE DESMARAIS TRIO TRIBUTE TO BILL EVANS

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VIDEOS

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​Periscope, par Bill Evans - interprétation Lorraine Desmarais

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Bill, par Lorraine Desmarais - Trio Lorraine Desmarais joue Bill Evans​


Bill Evans profoundly revolutionized jazz piano and the trio formation. A subtle performer and inspired composer, Evans integrated the harmonic colors of French impressionists Debussy, Fauré and Ravel into his playing. The musicians of Trio Lorraine Desmarais are thrilled to recreate their favorite Bill Evans pieces on stage; creativity, virtuosity, musicality and sophistication.

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MUSICIANS
  • Lorraine Desmarais – piano
  • Alec Walkington – double bass
  • Camil Bélisle – drums

JAZZ FOR CHRISTMAS​ 

Trio Lorraine Desmarais 

& Jean-Pierre Zanella

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VIDEO

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Silent Night / Sainte Nuit - le Trio Lorraine Desmarais et Jean-Pierre Zanella au saxophone​

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Let's get in the holiday spirit with the Lorraine Desmarais Trio and saxophonist Jean-Pierre Zanella. These Montreal jazz icons perform Christmas classics, from Ave Maria to Jingle Bells, with style! Jazz lovers as well as those who want to get off the beaten track when it comes to holiday music will find in this Jazz for Christmas the perfect antidote to the blues that come with year-end celebrations. With saxophonist Jean-Pierre Zanella as guest soloist, Lorraine Desmarais revisits and even reinvents such favorites as Jingle Bells and Schubert's Ave Maria, while providing surprises through her remarkable arrangements.


MUSICIANS

  • Lorraine Desmarais – piano and arrangements ​
  • Jean-Pierre Zanella - soprano & alto ​saxophones​ 
  • Alec Walkington – double bass
  • Camil Bélisle – drums

BIG BAND LORRAINE DESMARAIS

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VIDEO

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Lorraine Desmarais Big Band - Danses Danzas Dances

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Danses, Danzas, Dances!.. Leading 15 of Montreal’s finest jazzmen, Lorraine Desmarais takes to the stage to offer her latest big band creation: a suite of dances inspired by musical traditions from all over the world. Passion, virtuosity and humor pervade the concert program, which showcases the improvisational talents of the outstanding players. Entirely written by Desmarais, the music is contemporary and current, with the occasional nod to the golden age of the big band. Every piece sways to the seductive rhythms of world famous dance styles: an irresistible Irish “Reel”, a luscious “Tango” and a fiery “Milonga” from Argentina, a Latin-American “Habanera”, an American “Ultra Triple Swing,” a jazz “Walzer” with a touch of Viennese flair, a Jamaican “Reggae Do!” and a Cuban “Bolero Romantico.”​

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