Rachel Therrien Quintet wins the 2015 TD Grand Jazz Award

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The Stingray Rising Star Award goes to Florian Hoefner

Montreal, Thursday, July 2, 2015 — The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal in collaboration with TD—official sponsor and presenter of the event—are pleased to be present the TD Grand Jazz Award to Rachel Therrien Quintet, which was deemed best of 9 other jazz ensembles who took part in the pan-Canadian competition. The jury also gave a special mention to the piece Let’s Roll by Eli Bennett who will be coming back to the festival in 2016.

The Stingray Rising Star Award for best composition was awarded to Florian Hoefner for his piece Newfound jig, and for his entire body of work.

Rachel Therrien Quintet was presented the 2015 TD Grand Jazz Award by Laurent Saulnier, Vice-President Programming, and Christine Marchildon, Chair, Quebec Market, TD Bank Group, at a press conference, today in the Salle Stevie-Wonder of the Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan. The group performs tonight on the TD Stage at 6 p.m.

Rachel Therrien Quintet

They are young, creative and talented: brilliantly led by remarkable Québécois trumpeter Rachel Therrien, this quintet ranks among the most interesting jazz outfits of the up-and-coming generation. Therrien, a musician known for her very personal signature, already boasts an enviable CV, and returns to the Festival with her 2nd album, Home Inspiration, and an emotionally charged show filled with improv and exceptional musical orchestration.

2015 TD Grand Jazz Award

The TD Grand Jazz Award entails:

The 2015 TD Grand Jazz Award and a $5,000 grant from TD;
The opportunity to present a second free concert tonight, at 6 p.m. on the TD Stage;
An invitation to take part in the 2016 Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, all expenses paid by the Festival;
An invitation to perform at Festi Jazz International de Rimouski, 2016 edition;
An invitation to perform at the Festival de Jazz de Québec, 2016 edition;
Fifty hours in Studio 270 as part of The 270 Sessions series.

Stingray Rising Star Award

Stingray Music is proud to be associated with the TD Grand Jazz Award. The 2015 Stingray Rising Star Award is going to Florian Hoefner for his piece Newfound jig, considered by the jury to be the best composition presented in this year’s contest, and for his entire body of work. In addition to a $5,000 grant, the winner will have his music played on one or many jazz channels offered by Stingray Music. By encouraging these upcoming stars, Stingray Music is fulfilling one of its heartfelt objectives.

A springboard for Canadian jazz ensembles

Created in 1982 by the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, the Grand Jazz Award has become a springboard for local musicians with bright futures in jazz. Every summer, the awarding of the TD Grand Jazz Award has increasingly drawn the interest of the general public, as well as observers of the national and international jazz scenes, giving that last big boost to groups or artists on the verge of general recognition.

Ten Canadian groups and artists were in competition for the TD Grand Jazz Award 2015. Besides the winners—Rachel Therrien Quintet (Quebec) and Florian Hoefner (Nova Scotia)—, competing this year were: Eli Bennet (British Columbia), Andy King group (Quebec), Tevet Sela (Quebec), Montréal Hard Bop Five (Quebec), Jean-Nicolas Trottier (Quebec), 5 For Trio (Quebec),Trio Hugo Mayrand (Quebec) et David Blake (British Columbia).

The 2015 jury was comprised of: Michael Bourne (WBGO New York), Pierre-Jean Lavigne (Stingray programmer), Steeve St-Pierre (Festi Jazz International de Rimouski programmer), Alexandre Bellegarde (musicien) and Gino Ste-Marie (Festival de Jazz de Québec).

Take note that last year’s recipient, Pram Trio, will give a free exterior concert tomorrow, Friday, July 3, at 6 p.m., as part of Les Gammes TD series on the TD stage of the Place des Festivals.

Source: Festival International de Jazz de Montréal — Press Room: 514 288-5299