Yannick was raised in the Gaspé and Saguenay regions (Québec). After studying at the Conservatoire de Rennes (France), then in Chicoutimi and Montreal, he began his jazz career in 1980. As early as 1988, Down Beat, the American bible of jazz, ranked him amongst the 20 most talented saxophonists in the world alongside Branford Marsalis, Joe Lovano and Courtney Pine. Since then, Yannick Rieu has played throughout the world and collects praise and awards, both for his recordings and his performances on stage.

A great admirer of the legendary sax players who marked the history of jazz over the last half-century, including Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sidney Bechet, Wayne Shorter and Steve Lacy, Yannick absorbed their influences to forge his own style, skillfully mastered and highly personal. Rieu’s expression is utterly free of clichés and his phrasing is as much innovative and captivating, revealing the artist’s strong understanding and competence within the jazz idiom.

He received three Félix from ADISQ for the best jazz album of the year category for "What Is the Colour of Love", "Little Zab", and "I Is Memory".

"Contextually neither expressionist nor impressionist, avant-gardist nor neo-conservative, Yannick Rieu instead inhabits a middle ground, where inspiration is motivated by individual concern, a private vision. The choice he has made mark him as a musician of thoughtfull gesture and singular craft." Art Lange, New York

“Traits of a genius”, Christophe Rodriquez, Journal de Montréal

"The greatest poet of Canadian jazzmen." JAZZMAN, Paris

YANNICK RIEU SPECTRUM4

Spectrum, the jazz group founded in 2007 by saxophonist/composer Yannick Rieu has launched its first self-titled CD/DVD in may 2009 on Justin Time label. This set allows Yannick Rieu to move away from the traditional approach of jazz Quartet and reinvent the sound, a singular approach which makes him a Must-see artist. Voluptuous, his saxophone voice recalls both Coltrane and Getz. It is this unique voice which constantly touches many publics from Canada, Europe and Asia. For the occasion, Yannick Rieu offers a fully renewed repertoire.

Since May 2007, Spectrum gave more than 100 concerts and 8 tours in Quebec, the Canada and abroad.

www.yannickrieu.com
www.yariproductions.com