Although best known as an acoustic guitar virtuoso with a focus on Celtic and gypsy jazz, Quinn Bachand is a gifted multi-instrumentalist and innovator whose diverse musical talents also include bluegrass, western swing, and various styles of jazz, especially those from the 1930s to the ‘50s.
Victoria, B.C. born, now based in Montreal, Quinn was a musical prodigy who began touring with Cape Breton fiddling sensations Ashley MacIsaac and Natalie MacMaster at age 13. His recording career has been equally impressive: three award winning Celtic music albums with sister Qristina earning the dynamic duo two Irish Music Awards (Top Duo and Top Traditional Group) plus multiple nominations at the Canadian Folk Music Awards and Western Canadian Music Awards. Quinn has also recorded three CDs with his band, Brishen (what Quinn calls his “jazz music alias”). That notable discography includes 2013’s debut, Brishen, which earned him an unprecedented 5 Canadian Folk Music Award Nominations, 2017’s Blue Verdun, which won the IMA in the Jazz category, and the highly anticipated 2019 release, Tunes in a Hotel.
The word Brishen means “bringer of the storm” in the Romany language, and appropriately captures the spellbinding power of Quinn’s music, which pays homage to the traditions of swing and Euro-jazz while incorporating a range of related genres and invigorating them with fresh ideas and jubilant emotion. Over many appearances at a variety of major music festivals in North America and Europe, Quinn and Brishen have beguiled audiences with their creativity and blazing instrumental finesse as they hit the sweet spot between virtuosity and vibe. Brishen are absolute standouts in the crowded field of groups that continue to be inspired by the timeless legacy of Django Reinhardt. Brishen features Quinn Bachand (lead guitar, violin, vocals), Reuben Wier (rhythm guitar/vocals), Noah Gotfrit (upright bass) and Eric Vanderbilt-Mathews (saxophone, clarinet, piano).
