Composer and pianist Jean-Michel Blais has been creating instrumental music that’s struck a chord with both the public and his peers, who showed their appreciation once again at the Premier Gala de l’ADISQ on Nov. 2, 2022, by awarding him the Instrumental Album of the Year Award for Aubades.
We spoke with him about the importance of celebrating instrumental music composers, who still too often face challenges make a living from their art. We also discussed the effect of the pandemic on our growing desire to hear instrumental music, and, above all, the fulsome confidence he has in listeners’ ability to enjoy his music in their own way, and under any circumstance.
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