Montreal Music Theatre Varia

“La Vedette” that is ZazoO

This past Tuesday, Montreal’s grand Rialto Theater served as host to the CD launch of Quebec’s ZazoO Rock & Blues “Montée de Lait.

A dream project of artist Isabelle Archambault, the project came to fruition with the professional flair,  talent and “savoir faire” that those that recognize our “Vedette”, know and understand the energy, that is placed into her most passionate of projects.

This remarkably free-spirited firecracker of a woman has marked the blues world with her character and sense of originality. Nicknamed the ”Cyndi Lauper of Blues“, Madame Archambault is the creator and producer of the annual “Femmes En Blues” (Women in Blues) show, for the past three years running, and has been lauded by both public and critics alike.

As the great-granddaughter of famous actor, playwright, and founder of the National Theater in Montreal, Mr. Julien Daoust, Madame Isabelle Archambault grew up in a family of artists, making her 1st arts venture at the age of four as a ballerina, and continued dance (ballet and jazz) for nearly fifteen years. Isabelle later turned to the visual arts, as an area of study, and painted for over twenty years. To pay her tuition, she worked as an actress in children’s theater, and later ventured into music through her art of writing.

It was Isabelle’s stepfather and loyal guitarist Lafleche Gosselin who discovered the “unique” voice of Isabelle in 2007, and strongly encouraged her to sing. Lafleche, himself a musician of over fifty years experience, built what became ZazoO Rock & Blues. This group recently added a new rhythm section with Dominic Trudeau on bass and Marc Dupuis on drums.

Isabelle has also shared the stage with some of the biggest names in Quebec music, such as Nanette Workman, Jonas, Elizabeth Blouin-Brathwaite, Jim Zeller, Bob Harrison and many more. Most recently she was decorated by the city of St- Eustache, and the Canada Council for the Arts this past October, and received the Cybele Award for Performing Artist of the Year.

Isabelle is also Host and Performer of the title tribute to the great Edith Piaf that has also been presented at the beautiful Rialto Theatre for several months.

This petite Quebec rocker wears her heart on her sleeve. Passionate and involved in every facet of what drives her, Isabelle is seen as a “woman of the people, a loving artist, who has the courage of her convictions”.

Self-producing this album, as a complete artist replete with her many talents, has permitted ZazoO to retain creative control over the process, from music, voice & recording, to design, production, promotion and marketing.

This completed work was experienced on a grand scale at the climatic launch at the Rialto Theater this past Tuesday, when all present bore witness to a beautiful “Cinq a Sept) ie. 5-7, replete with hostesses, wine and hors d’oeuvres before the showcase and live concert of the cd in it’s entirety, replete with all performers, musical collaborators and ZazoO’s theatrical flair for the dramatic.

Touted as a Quebec rock album, the cd’s recording took place at Yann Perreau’s Studio Chenapan, under the musical direction of Marc Gendron.

Celebrating this release Isabelle assembled all involved in this musical journey, and those included on stage for the evening included:

Isabelle Archambault (ZazoO herself), the Voice and emcee.

Lafleche Gosselin on guitar.

George Papafilys on guitar.

Dominic Trudeau on bass.

Marc Dupuis on drums.

Jim Zeller on harmonica .

Judy -Ann on keyboard .

Clare Keays on vocals.

Lookout Beyondah on vocals.

*The additional (non-performing) Musicians who collaborated on the album include:

Vincent Labelle, guitar. Gabriel Lajoie, bass. Olivier Pomerleau, bass. François Chauvette, drums. Nathalie Fortin, drums.

Performed majestically, the “MonteeDu Lait” cd also contains the following tracks:

01. Trop de tracas
02. Ça fait trop longtemps que ça dure
03. Rebelle
04. Tant de haine
05. En enfer
06. Blues des filles de rue
07. Belle sans scalpel
08. Le mur
09. Armand
10. Amère
11. Les oiseaux rares

This production is a work that you have to experience to enjoy. Giving a breakdown of the album, for me, ruins the element of surprise, and takes away from the impact that ZazoO wants you to enjoy on 1st listen. Kind of like being told what’s in the Christmas present as you’re shaking it in your hands.

Needless to say, the concerted efforts of the night were rewarded with the accolades of the media, family, friends and fans that filled the floor of the Rialto.

The overall atmosphere of the theater had the scent of fruition, and the feeling that you were experiencing a great cherished moment, such as a proud parent introducing their child to the world.

Honest, poignant and sincere, without platitudes and incoherencies, ZazoO delivered the musical faithfulness of her partnerships in her own way.

 Under promised and over delivered, as is her style.

 From Blues-driven rock uniting her unique bond with Lafleche, to vocal-harmonica head-to-head with Jim Zeller, to the socially poignant rendition pairing with Claire Keays and Lookout Beyondah, all mesmerized the attendees to admire the professionalism and joy that was onstage.

Yet all too soon, it was done. But, like any great show, you wanted more. And there you had it, the proud markings of things to come, and the eventual realization that you’re getting but a peek at what ZazoO is capable of, and what qualifies the qualities of a “vedette”.

A Canadian must-see, a Quebec must-see, a musical must-hear. Make the effort, take the time, encourage the local artistic community, and make sure you can experience ZazoO, and encourage their/her success. Hard worked for and easily enjoyed, you’ll not be left un-lifted for the experience.

Speaking with Isabelle after the Show, she asked what I thought of the evening, and the best 2-word answer this Montrealer could give, to compliment this “Vedette”, was pure and simple:

“Magnifiquement débile!”

zzoomlait001 zzoomlait002 zzoomlait003 zzoomlait004

4 Replies to ““La Vedette” that is ZazoO

  1. Magnifique ZazoO à l’intérier comme à l’extérieur, une parolière et chanteuse de grand talent!

  2. Simply MAGNIFICO !!!!! Congratulations to Zazoo and hes band for the good work. I put the CD on and on and on…..

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *