L'ORKESTRE DES PAS PERDUS

Despite significant lineup changes, Montreal trombonist Claude St-Jean's brass band has remained high-spirited and engaging with a creative edge. Ranging in size from a sextet to a nonet, this Montreal brass band (whose name roughly translates as "Lost Steps Orchestra") is dedicated to having a great time without compromising any of its formidable musicianship along the way. Formed by trombonist and composer Claude St-Jean in 1993, the band also includes saxophones and trumpet, as well as a rhythm section comprised of drums and -- no, not bass -- sousaphone or tuba. St-Jean writes and arranges all the band's material, consisting of short tunes that generally stay locked in upbeat funky grooves with tight background riffing and a lot of hot soloing from members of the front line. Their CDs are good-natured, high-energy affairs that blend the sounds of a New Orleans or European street band with a host of contemporary elements, read more...