Sunday March 30th, 2008: Les Chauffeurs à Pieds

$20/18

The members of Les Chauffeurs à Pieds are leading lights in a new generation of traditional Québécois musicians. Their reputation led them to the largest folk festivals in Canada and Europe and they officially represented Quebec at the 2004 summit of the Francophonie in Burkina Faso. In addition to numerous appearances on many anthologies, they have collaborated with local legends Richard Desjardins, Gilles Vigneault, and former members of La Bottine Souriante. The band receives continued support from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec and have had live performances broadcast not less than tree times on public radio all across Canada. Their albums have been lauded by critics, receiving nominations for many important awards. During live shows, Les Chauffeurs à Pieds draw material from their past five albums, throwing in a few odd surprises here and there. The result is an explosive mix of violins, harmonicas, recorders, guitars and furious foot-stomping percussion. Their repertoire consists of reels, jigs, little-known drinking songs, weepy ballads, and chansons à répondre. All this is punctuated with an absurd strain of humour that is never lost in translation (but rather heightened by it). Les Chauffeurs à Pieds are taking Québecois music to new horizons while resurrecting little-known songs from the traditional Québécois repertoire. Don't pass up on a chance to see a live performance in the flesh!

website : www.leschauffeurs.com