Jordan Marchand Plays CD Launch Concert for MEMORIES at Club Lambi Tonight

Jordan Marchand is excited to launch his debut recording, Memories, at Club Lambi tonight, November 22.

Experience this jazz crooner's musical passion through his searing interpretations of the emotional highs and lows of relationships, while you dance the night away. Along with Musical Director James Higgins on piano, accompanying Marchand on stage will be respected local musicians Hélène Lemay, trombone; Dominic Leveillé, trumpet; Beth McKenna, sax and flute; Ian Bartczak, synth; Bernard Deslauriers, drums; and Mathieu Gagné, bass. Kicking off the show will be top-drawer Montreal comedian, Mike Paterson. Make your own memories during this one-night-only event not to be missed.

Jordan Marchand is an extraordinary singing sensation who comes by his good looks, stage presence and fabulous vocals honestly; inherited from his talented musical family. His mother, father, sister and grandfather are long-time members of the Hudson Music Club, where Jordan cut his teeth and where he credits his early training, along with other companies including the Segal Centre. Marchand and Higgins met in Montreal in 2009 on the set of the musical, Slow Dance with a Hot Pick Up. Fuelled by their combined talents and mutual passion for music, they teamed up to create Memories. It's been a year and a half of planning and hard work and they couldn't be prouder of the result. Joining Higgins on the recording are all-star New York City musicians Tim Wendt, trumpet/flugelhorn; Brett McDonald, saxes/flute; Geoffrey Wright, bass; and Dominic Lynch, drums/percussion.

For Marchand, classic jazz songs tell a story more than the typical pop songs released today ever could, "So much of the music is standardized and repetitive. It's as if the industry found a formula for releasing hit songs and continues to manufacture the formula over and over again." Marchand finds the classics artistic, and is inspired by the way the material can be mixed and matched to create something new. He continues, "I feel people need to hear how you can take an old classic and spin it into something current, or vice versa, take a contemporary song like Bon Jovi's Bed of Roses and reinterpret it for new audiences." Songs on Memories include the above-mentioned Bed of Roses and One for my Baby.

Former Montrealer, James Higgins, a pianist, conductor, and arranger living in NYC, believes that Marchand has a real shot to make it big with this recording, "Jordan interprets these familiar and not-so-familiar chestnuts with an original and fascinating verve. As well, his talent and enthusiasm are infectious!" Higgins jumped at the opportunity to work again with his friend and colleague, "I love his ideas and the way he approaches making music." For Higgins, people need to hear this music because of Marchand's unique, beautiful voice and his engaging personality, "Jordan has so much to say and offer. He can go from a mellow, sexy, romantic croon to a plaintive, heart-wrenching rock cry (and everything in between) in the blink of an eye, taking us with him on his journey."

Having wanted to release a CD for years, Marchand is thrilled to have completed his first solo creation, "I have always been part of other peoples' artistic adventures, including recording a rock EP, performing in several cabarets and numerous musical theatre productions, but have never initiated my own project. I could not have done this alone however; to have people like James and co-producer Ronnie Roter helping me has given me such confidence, convincing me that what I am doing is right."

Marchand was 15 years old; the son of friends, when Roter first met him, "I was totally captured by his charm and warmth. My husband and I knew instantly that he was a talented force to be reckoned with. When I first saw Jordan perform on stage, he was everything we expected." Roter has found that co-producing Memories has been an amazing experience, "It has been inspiring to support Jordan's dream through this, his inaugural recording."

Singers Maggie Owen and Mike Melino will also be on hand for the evening. Opening up for Marchand will be veteran Montreal comedian Mike Paterson. Marchand met Paterson when they were both performing in the musical Guys and Dolls at the Segal Center; Owen and Melino were also in the hit show. Paterson's stand up comedy is like a bumpy dune buggy ride through a zany garden of make-believe. Montreal Gazette's Bill Brownstein loves to describe him as "gonzo comedian Mike Paterson," an apt description, as Mike's world is a little bit wacky, a little bit unexpected and all hilarious.

DETAILS:

Jordan Marchand

Memories CD release and concert

With opening act, comedian Mike Paterson

at Club Lambi, 4465 St. Laurent, corner Mount Royal (upstairs)

Saturday, November 22, 2014, 9:30pm, doors open at 8:30pm

Tickets $15 available at the door, CD $5 at the show

For further information visit: www.jordanmarchand.com or www.facebook.com/singerjordanmarchand.

Photo Credit: Yan Bleney

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