Call me Al
 

With Call Me Al, his 4^th solo effort, jazzman Alain Caron returns with his most accomplished and surprising recording.  First and foremost because the bassist, in his tireless quest for innovation, worked with promising young artists from totally different musical backgrounds. 

On Call Me Al, Alain proposes nine new pieces that he wrote and arranged, six of which were built on loops.  Two of these loops were constructed by the refreshing DJ Mad Max (Maxime Morin).  Once coupled with Alain Caron’s arrangements, they offer a new and irresistible sound, halfway between drum’n bass and afro-cuban rhythms.

Another almost unexplored territory by Alain is introduced here : singing.  And who better than Jorane to use her voice in such a unique way, married to the lyrical sound of her cello and accompanied by Otmaro Ruiz’s piano.

A talented composer, Alain Caron is rightly considered one of the best bass players in the world, and he proves with Call Me Al that he is also an accomplished arranger.  This new record also displays the wide musical culture that has sculpted the bassist’s carreer, from the influences of  classical to contemporary music, from Satie to Gil Evans, including the jazz of Coltrane.

Of course, faithful fans of the early days of UZEB will once again, with Call Me Al, get their share of the bass virtuoso, his funky playing and unique rhythms. Besides, long time friends and collaborators, Paul Brochu on drums and Tiger Okoshi on trumpet, contributed their talent, as well as François d’Amours on saxophones and Marco Luciani on keyboards.

Alain Caron is back  presenting an album with a vast panorama which more than ever, highlights one of the greatest passions of his life: Music

Alain Caron's biography

Alain Caron was playing the bass professionally in Québec bars at age 11. Upon completing the 8th grade, he embarked upon his first Top 40 tour of the province. At 15 he discovered the music which would soon become his life’s passion - jazz. He taught himself how to play by listening and learning, following correspondence courses, and eventually attended the Berkley College of Music.

Opportunity knocked in 1977 when he met the Michel Cusson Group. At last, Caron found himself in the company of like-minded musicians - ones who could appreciate and respect jazz and the roots of jazz, as well as looking ahead to the future with open minds. With UZEB he found himself on world tours and with albums on the hit parade: pretty heady stuff...

Caron soon developed a reputation as a master electric bassist, a virtuoso on the 6-string bass. Not surprisingly, as he became more and more known as a player of some repute, he began to give master classes - at home in Québec, or abroad in France, Spain, Germany or the US - all places the erudite bassist has either toured, taught or recorded in. He is the proud owner of over 20 basses, many of them custom-built and highly sophisticated technically. In the last few years, he has chosen the solo route; writing and producing his own music for Le Band - and taking it on tour to ever appreciative audiences around the world.

Discography

80-90 
Recorded 10 albums as a member of UZEB: Live in Bracknell (81);
Fast Emotion (82);  You be Easy (84); Between the Lines (85);
Live à l'Olympia (86);
Absolutely Live (86); featuring Didier Lockwood;
Noisy Nights (88);
Live in Europe (88);
UZEB Club (89);
World Tour '90 (90) - with combined sales of over 400,000 units

Many live performances were recorded on video and have broadcast throughout Canada, the US, Europe, Africa, Israel, and Japan: At the Montreal Jazz Festival with Michael Brecker; At the Montreal Jazz Festival with Don Alias; At the Montreal Jazz Festival with Didier Lockwood; At the Montreal Jazz Festival with Tiger Okoshi; Live at the Casino de Paris

86-90 
As a member of UZEB, Taped 3 music videos: 60, rue des Lombards;
Noisy Nights and UZEB Club

90-91  
Recorded the album Ten Songs in New York with Leni Stern 

90-92  
Recorded and produced Basse Contre Basse with upright bass player Michel Donato
Recorded and co-produced Caron/Ecay/Lockwood 
Recorded and co-produced an album with Montreal-based Sortie

92-92  
Produced and recorded his first solo album Alain Caron/Le Band

93-93  
Recorded with Leni Stern the album Like One in Germany

95-95  
Produced and recorded  the second album of Alain Caron/Le Band
Release of the album (Rhythm 'n Jazz) in the USA by Lipstick Records

96-96 
Recorded the album Francisco’s Song avec Hilario Durán, Jane Bunnett et Sonny Greenwich

97-97  
Produced and recorded the third album of Alain Caron/Le Band (Play) with Otmaro Riuz and Paul Brochu
Release in Canada, USA, Japan and Europe

98-98 
Warner Publications to release the scores of  “Rhythm’n Jazz” and “Play !”
Video clip “D-Code” on rotation at Musimax

2000  
Produced and recorded the forth solo album of Alain Caron. Call me Al
Re-release of the Worl d Tour `90 album ÙZEB with Les Disques NORAC record label.
Re-release of  The Best of UZEB with Les Disques NORAC record Album
Re-release of the Caron Ecay Lockwood album (with Alain Caron, Jean-Marie Ecay, Didier Lockwood) with Les Disques NORAC record album.
 

Biography courtesy of Les Productions Alain Caron Inc.
For booking, contact EMMECI