André Moisan

Clarinettist and saxophonist with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, André Moisan is recognized for the purity and clarity of his playing, the richness of his tone, and the breadth of his repertoire. For several decades, he has maintained an active career as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer, moving fluidly between classical music, jazz, and contemporary creation—notably with his jazz quintet Inspirationz, an original project that brings together improvisation, contemporary writing, and symphonic organ. He studied with Robert Crowley in Montreal, Victor Sawa in Kitchener, Larry Combs in Chicago, and Karl Leister in Berlin. He began studying the clarinet at the age of ten with his father, Gilles Moisan, who was a member of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal for 46 years. He served as principal clarinet of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens from 1977 to 1999, has been a member of the Société de musique contemporaine du Québec since 1977, and of the Nouvel Ensemble Moderne from 1989 to 1999. Since 1999, he has held the positions of principal saxophone and bass clarinet with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. His complete discography as a soloist and chamber musician includes more than seventy recordings, including thirteen solo and chamber music albums released on the ATMA Classique label, all acclaimed by international critics.