Chantale Gagne

A native of Quebec, Canada, jazz pianist Chantale Gagné began studying music at the age of 8. At 15, the piano became Chantale’s passion. From 1997 to 1999, she studied jazz piano with James Gelfand at College Marie-Victorin in Montreal, followed by 4 years at McGill University where she received her degree in Jazz Piano Performance.

In 2005, Chantale met famous pianist Kenny Barron and although she studied with him for a short period of time, this encounter proved to be so inspiring to Chantale both as a pianist and composer that she realized jazz had become her deepest calling. For the past years, Chantale has been busy performing in Canada, U.S. and Europe from trio, quartet to piano solo and big bands.

Silent Strength, her self-produced debut recording album with Peter Washington on bass and Lewis Nash on drums, was met with great reviews and features many of her original compositions. In October 2008, Chantale was honored by Radio-Canada, receiving the distinction Révélation Radio-Canada Musique 2008-09. She was moreover invited to perform along with Peter Washington and Lewis Nash, during the launch of Espace Jazz. In 2009, the American jazz magazines, Jazz Times, Cadence and JazzWax.com, as well as the German Magazine, Jazz Podium positively reviewed the album Silent Strength. Wisdom Of The Water, her 2010 release, demonstrates a totally different sound with a strong folk/heartland influence that she reveals as a composer as well as a pianist. Vibes player Joe Locke is featured on this album along with Peter Washington on bass and Lewis Nash on drums. The music on her album The Left Side Of The Moon is inspired by the acceptance of the mystery of life. It includes 10 original pieces and an arrangement of the traditional french song “À la claire fontaine”. Great saxophonist Steve Wilson is joined the rhythm team with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Lewis Nash.

In 2017 Steinway & Sons released Chantale's album Rooftop Jazz.