Julien Fillion
Julien Fillion, a Montreal-based saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer, shares sahara, the first single from his new EP ego, released on October 11 via Costume Records, his new label.
“sahara” is a musical journey through vast, colorful landscapes, with rich and surprising arrangements that invite exploration and escape. From the very first notes, the evolving composition suggests a captivating sonic journey, driven by raw energy and a modernity that echoes the discovery of new horizons. Through this piece, Julien Fillion once again demonstrates his undeniable talent for transcending the boundaries of musical genres, reaffirming his status on the instrumental music scene and offering a promising preview of the upcoming album.
Fillion resumed composing at a time in his life filled with reflection. Plagued by doubt and uncertainty, he found refuge in the playground of diverse musical genres at his disposal. Each instrument is a color, each note a response to questions that words cannot fully express. This is how sahara, the opening track of the EP, was born.
ego is a six-track project following his self-titled debut album released in 2021, after being named Radio-Canada Jazz Revelation (2021-2022).
Julien Fillion first made his mark on the Montreal and international scene with the band Jazzamboka, winners of the Stingray Prize at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 2017. He then launched his solo project, featuring two saxophonists (Philippe Brochu-Pelletier and himself) and two drummers (Alain Bourgeois and Thomas Sauvé-Lafrance). This atypical quartet quickly gained attention, being invited to perform at the Juarez Jazz Festival in 2019 and winning the JPL Victo Jazz Award in 2020.
Outside of his own project, Julien Fillion has had the opportunity to collaborate with many artists across various musical genres, including Fouki, Clay and Friends, Les Louanges, Diane Tell, The Brooks, Bobby Bazini, Razalaz, Grooz, Donald Dogbo, and more.
Julien Fillion is a saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist based in Montreal. At the age of 7, he developed an interest in music when he found his uncle's old guitar. To accompany his music-loving family, he taught himself piano, influenced by both 1970s ro ck and French music. At 15, he discovered the saxophone and jazz music, leading him to study with the greats Alexandre Côté and Jean-Pierre Zanella at Cégep Saint-Laurent. He then continued his studies at the University of Montreal, where he received a sig nificant scholarship and the Fischman Prize for Best Jazz Performance.
He began to stand out on the Montreal and international scene with Jazzamboka, a group with which he won the Stingray Prize at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 2017. After proving his skills and musicality as an independent musician, he launched his own project in 2019.
His journey led him to see the saxophone from a new perspective: he started exploring its capabilities in every style that influenced him as a musician. By e xperimenting with new sounds, he began using effect pedals with his instrument. This process became a passion, changing both his playing style and composition techniques. Julien Fillion wanted his project to be original and unique: he created an unusual en semble with two saxophonists (Philippe Brochu-Pelletier and himself) and two drummers (Alain Bourgeois and Thomas Sauvé-Lafrance). The atypical quartet quickly attracted attention, being invited to perform at the Juarez Jazz Festival in 2019 and winning the JPL Victo Jazz in 2020. Julien Fillion then received the title of Jazz Revelation from Radio-Canada in 202, after which he finally released his eponymous debut album.
Julien Fillion's music lies somewhere between jazz, rock, and electronic music: it's surprising, dynamic, and particularly immersive. This project allows him to work with all the instruments he plays (saxophones, keyboards, guitars) and be involved in every stage of music production. Outside of his own project, Julien Fillion has had the opportunity to collaborate with many artists from various musical genres, including Fouki, Clay and Friends, Les Louanges, Diane Tell, The Brooks, Bobby Bazini, Razalaz, Grooz, Donald Dogbo, and many others. In recent years, he has worked as musical director and multi-instrumentalist for Diane Tell, and as a multi-instrumentalist for Les Louanges. In 2020, he co-produced the debut album of the folk duo Andromède as well as co - wrote a nd co - produced the debut EP of the country project Jod et Joyce.
His new EP is released on Octobre 11, 2024 with Costume Records (Valaire, Choses Sauvages, etc.).
Avec des compositions et un style très personnel, Julien Fillion nous emmène dans un univers particulier et le public s’est laissé emporté avec grand bonheur. La formation originale de l’ensemble peut déconcerter avec son jazz résolument moderne, mais elle livre la marchandise au-delà des attentes avec des musiciens totalement investis et inspirés par le projet de Fillion. Une très belle découverte que l’on ne manquera pas de suivre dans son évolution.
Sors-tu.ca - Jérôme DaviauLe quatuor dirigé par Julien Fillion se démarque par sa configuration inusitée. L’assise musicale de l’ensemble est grandement axée sur la rythmique et la mélodie. Les musiciens y ajoutent des textures et un support harmonique grâce à des synthétiseurs et des pédaliers d’effets qui leur permettent de voguer entre une multitude de sonorités.
Radio-Canada