Le sourire is a concert tribute to Steve Lacy (1934–2004), the groundbreaking soprano saxophonist and composer, conceived and led by Jean Derome and his ensemble Somebody Special.
The programme centres on one of the most distinctive facets of Lacy's legacy: his extensive and idiosyncratic catalogue of songs setting texts by an eclectic range of writers, including Anna Akhmatova, Samuel Beckett, Robert Creeley, Bob Kaufman, and Judith Malina.
The result is a brand of jazz that is unmistakably Derome's own — playful, angular, and taut — while honouring Lacy's irresistible swing and adventurous spirit. Bold and unconventional, the music ventures beyond familiar territory without losing its connection to the essence of jazz.
The ensemble features Jean Derome on alto saxophone, flute, and voice; Karen Young on voice; Alexandre Grogg on piano; Normand Guilbeault on bass; and Pierre Tanguay on drums.
The concert is presented at La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaines as part of Québec musiques parallèles 2026.
Programme
Jean Derome
Jean Derome est un saxophoniste, flutiste et compositeur montréalais connu pour son approche ludique et anguleuse du jazz et de la musique improvisée. Son ensemble Somebody Special rend hommage ici au génie excentrique du saxophoniste soprano Steve Lacy à travers un programme des compositions vocales de Lacy.
Karen Young
Alexandre Grogg
Normand Guilbeault
Pierre Tanguay
Lieu