Eclectic, Energetic and Spectacular

When it comes to bridging diverse genres of music, the MG3, which CBC described as “the hottest guitar ensemble in Canada,” has quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with. For more than 13 years, the trio’s virtuosity, rigor, creativity, and dynamic stage presence — they are noted for the wit and warmth of their interactions with audiences — have been winning applause around the world. They won the 2011 Opus Prize for concert of the year in the Jazz / World Music category. They have given hundreds of concerts in prestigious venues in North America, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia, including the BB King Blues Club in New York, the Rundetårnet in Copenhagen, and the legendary Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

After four years crisscrossing the globe, the MG3 settled down in Montreal last spring to record their fourth CD, Cambria. The product of a long period of musical introspection and the trio’s most accomplished and personal work yet, this album contains six original tracks and three covers — including the legendary While my guitar gently weeps by George Harrison and The Mexican by Babe Ruth. All the influences which, over the years, have marked the trio are reflected here. In Caminando, strains of flamenco and Argentinean tango blend with Cuban music. Nordic music mixes with Brazilian samba and progressive rock in Le Peuple des Glaces. The sounds of the orient subtly blend with those of Californian surf guitar in Surf sur l'Orient, and with modern pop in Marikéro. Once again, the MG3 sails past the formulaic boundaries that usually limit guitar trios.

This summer, MG3 will take advantage of its appearance at the Montreal Jazz Festival to launch the CD "Live." For this album, recorded during the Guitar Summit 2010 Canadian tour, the MG3 joined forces with the California Guitar Trio. The two trios will join up once again this fall to continue touring as a sextet, visiting 20 cities in the United States and Canada.



What the media says...

"The Montreal Trio's guitars know no limits. They journey along with brio from jazz to classical music, from India to Canada. The Ussac Church has been swept away on the thunder of their strings!"


"... They delivered loads of infectious good humour and some solid ensemble playing that skirted the four corners of the musical world."


"... Their debut in Germany was one of the most unforgettable events in the festival's history, both artistically and programme-wise. [...] The audience applauded and didn't quieten down until the event organiser had promised to engage the Montreal Guitar Trio again next year..."