Andre Brunet Interview

André Brunet is scheduled to appear in York, PA on March 6th with his band DE TEMPS ANTAN in a concert sponsored by the Susquehanna Folk Music Society. (info at http://www.sfmsfolk.org/concerts/DeTempsAntan.html) This interview of André Brunet was conducted by Folkmama in January 2011 at the APAP Conference in New York City. During the interview André Brunet talks about his background, influences and the band DE TEMPS ANTAN.

André Brunet was born and grew up in Lacolle, in Quebec’s Montérégie region and was first drawn to music at a very young age. It was his parents who first noticed his keen interest in music and encouraged him to follow his passion. André’s first love was for the violin and, at the age of nine, he began taking lessons. Along with his brother Réjean, he created Les Frères Brunet and went on to record several albums and perform at various concerts around the world.

In 1997, André’s unwavering energy and refined style earned him a spot with La Bottine Souriante, with whom he toured more than 15 countries over the course of 10 years. Although his journey with La Bottine Souriante came to an end in 2006, André remained immersed in traditional music, and he is currently playing with Pierre-Luc Dupuis and Éric Beaudry in the group De Temps Antan.

At the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition in August 2008—an event showcasing more than twenty violinists from across Canada— André took home top honours as “Canadian Grand Master”. It was the first time a Quebecois had won the prestigious award since the competition’s inception in 1990. In september 2009, André has won the first place in one of the top competition in Ontario: Annual Pembrooke Old Time Fiddling and Step Dancing Championships; which make him again the first Quebec fiddler to get the honours at this competition since its beginning in 1975.

Also, Andre has participated in the Opening Ceremony of the XXIe Olympic Winter Games 2010 Vancouver British Columbia in Canada.

Sometimes in duo with his brother Réjean Brunet (Vent du Nord), Éric Beaudry (La Bottine Souriante), Martine Billette or with the trio De Temps Antan with his former colleagues from La Bottine: Pierre-Luc Dupuis and Éric Beaudry, or even with the group Celtic Fiddle Festival alongside the great fiddler Kevin Burke (Ireland), Christian Lemaître (Brittany), André feels right at home on any stage. Today his passion for traditional Quebec music continues to pave the way for dance and swing enthusiasts the world over—a true journey of musical discovery.