JERI BROWN COLLECTIVE
JERI BROWN vocals

SIMON SLOUTSKER piano

REMI JEAN LE BLANC bass

SERGIU POPA accordion

About the Jeri Brown Collective

“ New musical groups are fragile, much like traveling on a bumpy road with a handful of eggs. So much love and tender care is needed at all times, making every interaction, every rehearsal, and every performance opportunity count. Each step together marks a new shared threshold. This group has proven to be a match made in a kind of heavenly place.” Jeri describes the sound of her group like a menu. “It is like a deep sizzle on the grill…a kind of smorgasbord of solid jazz with avant-garde dressings, laced with a good layer of Russian snow flake salad and funky barbecue.” This new group features Rémi Jean Le Blanc on bass, Russian pianist Simon Sloutsker, Moldavavian virtuoso Sergiu Popa on accordion, and special guests, along with Jeri Brown on vocals.

This project began through a series of recording sessions on the topic of voice in the environment, composed by compositions of the group, along with folk music, and european classical content drawing from strong improvisational roots with sound design engineer Mark Corwin. Jeri Brown calls the music "vocalecosystematic".

About the Repertoire
Original compositions by the group along with recognizable selections (or not!) combine eclectic contemporary jazz vocal improvisations with tasteful departures into the unknown.

About the Collective
Jeri Brown
"The goal for this project is to create and recreate through improvisation and cultural awareness peace centered, inspiring music," adds Jeri.

Simon Sloutsker
Through years of listening, playing, writing and teaching, Simon has developed a personal style of composition integrating influences from Eastern Europe folk music, various jazz styles and classical backgrounds. Born in Moscow, Russia in 1972, Simon started to play the piano at the age of five. After formal studies in classical piano he pursued his musical training in jazz improvisation. In l994 Simon immigrated to Canada where he completed a masters degree in piano in Jazz Performance at McGill University, along with an undergraduate degree from the University of Montreal.

Since l998, he has been leading Simon Sloutsker Quartet writing, arrranging and performing original compositions on the Montreal jazz scene. During his musical research Simon has been influenced by Keith Jarrett. He developed an original style of solo piano improvisations. His main exploration focuses on the concept of "polytime".

Mr. Sloutsker joined the Jeri Brown Collective in March of 2005.

Rémi-Jean LeBlanc
Born in Moncton, N-B, in 1984, Rémi-Jean began to play music seriously at the age of 14 with his mentor and teacher, Roland Bourgeois. The group « Feu Vert », directed by Mr. Bourgeois, soon started to perform in different events, for example the « Fredericton Harvest Jazz and Blues festival », the « Halifax Jazz Festival », at « Au deuxième »club in Moncton, at the Saint-Pierre cultural Center in Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, and at the « Éloizes » ceremony in Tracadie. The production of two albums(Feu Vert, Feu Vert 2) and the Éloize « découverte de l'année 2001 » are also among the acomplishments of the ensemble. From 2000 to 2003, Rémi-Jean also performed with other New Brunswick artists, like Vishten, les Muses, Jazz Generation, and Banshee.
The year 2002 marked the beginning of his musical and professional developement in Montréal. Immediately after completing high school, he decided to establish himself in the province of Québec to study music at l'Université de Montréal as well as with the great Montréal bassplayer, Michel Donato. In the few following years, he will be able to soak in the rich musical tradition of the city and find his own voice as a musician and improvisor. As of 2004, he got the chance to perform with world class musicians such as Yannick Rieu, Ginette Reno, Frank Marino, David Binney, Steve Amirault, Jeri Brown, Jean Beaudet, Rémi Bolduc, François Bourassa, and André Leroux among others.
Rémi-Jean has now earned himself a comfortable place on the Montréal music scene. His colaborations have also allowed him to perform several times internationally(Jean Beaudet Trio, Caribean tour; Katya Sourikova Trio, England and Azerbaijan; Isabelle Roy, Switzerland; Frank Marino, USA; Yannick Rieu Trio, China). While directing his own projects, he continues to progress musically and professionally. Mr. Le Blanc joined the Jeri Brown Collective in March of 2005.

Sergiu Popa

“Everyone has music in them, or at least a part of our lives which can only be filled by music.”
-- Sergiu Popa

Born in Chisinau in 1981, Moldova, Sergiu Popa is a member of a well-known Roma (Gypsy) musical dynasty in his country. He, like several generations before him, is a virtuoso accordionist who plays not only traditional folk and Gypsy music of Eastern Europe, but is classically trained as well. He studied at the Stefan Neaga College of Music in Chisinau, and completed two years at the Conservatory of Chisinau before emigrating to Canada in 2002.
In Canada, he has distinguished himself as a unique, versatile and highly talented artist performing traditional Eastern European music with other distinguished musicians such as Sergei Trofanov, Carmen Piculeata (violinists), Romeo Vaduva (pan flutist), Vladimir Sidorov and Marin Nasturica (accordionists), while expanding his repertoire with renowned jazz singer Jeri Brown.
He played at the Drummondville 'festival Mondial des Cultures' in 2002, accompanied violinist Angèle Dubeau and her ensemble at the Lanaudière and Mont-Tremblant festivals (2004). He was a featured artist at the 2005 edition of the 'Printemps des Bretelles' accordion festival, the 1st edition of the 'Romani Yag' Gypsy festival and most recently, in June 2005, he led the Moldomania ensemble for an outdoor performance as part of the 'Midis du Monde' concert series at the Place des Arts.

Sergiu believes that traditional music has its place in the future, and that young people will embrace it as long as it continues to evolve and reflect the spirit of a living culture. He has his finger on the pulse of today's and tomorrow's audiences, and aims to please but also to educate. He is a strong advocate of music and culture as a cornerstone of our communities.

Mr. Popa joined the Jeri Brown Collective in April of 2004.

For More Information about The Jeri Brown Collective
contact: