Mananara

The trumpet is an instrument with a rich and poignant tone. We think of the trumpet as a solo instrument, usually in a jazz or classical context, but rarely in a popular vein. Only a few artists have succeeded in creating a distinct personal style. In finding his own voice and sound, Louis Babin has been inspired by these artists' inventiveness and creative directions.

Mananara borrows from the improvisational character of jazz, from the structural balance of classical, from the energetic and hypnotic rhythms of world music - and unites them all in the constant search for pure and true emotion. It is a familiar trumpet sound, yet it imparts a language marked by new, modern accents. It is a language of fluidity and power in which the love of Beauty is infused in a music at once unique and popular in the best sense of the word.

Listening to Mananara, some liken it to film music because of the images it evokes. Others say they are pleasantly surprised to rediscover the trumpet in a musical universe so different from its usual environment. Audiences ranging from teens to senior citizens have been touched by a deeply sensitive music.

Comments and Critics

"Twelve original compositions for trumpet. A lovely rich tone. His style is clean, fluid, bold. Highly accessible music…we can't stop listening."

Francine Grimaldi – Samedi et rien d’autre, CBC Radio 1 (première chaîne de Radio-Canada)

"A seductively lyrical album paying court to several styles, flirting with jazz, pop and Latin moods."

Alexandre Vigneault – Paroles et musiques

"Film music…road music with the sun breaking through the clouds…music evoking dreams of travel…music that is outward bound. This music is truly grand!"

Myra Cree – Cree et chuchotements, CBC - Radio 2 (chaîne culturelle de Radio-Canada)

"A magnificent self-produced album from a trumpeter whose work is fascinating - indeed, deliciously joyful!"

Éric Messier – Le Quoi

"Louis Babin's work is notable for his research and renewal of tone in everything he does. The complete artist - Babin is skilled in many different styles. I must emphasize his rich tone, his solid playing and the sensitivity of his trumpet."

Vic Vogel
Arranger and orchestrator
Vic Vogel Band

"I had the pleasure of premiering a work by Louis Babin. Mr. Babin is an able composer with a good understanding of orchestral balances tensions. He writes in an approachable style with great fluency. I would not hesitate to reprogram his works in the future."

Boris Brott
Internationally renown orchestra leader

"It has been wonderful to have Louis Babin play in our concerts over the years. The most memorable performances were Ulysses Departs From the Edge of the World by Harry Partch, Graph's and Time by Edbar Varèse, and Way of the Hopi by Paul Gallagher. Babin's talents as a composer are also impressive. We were delighted to premier a work created for us, Mellow Tones for Johnny".

Johnny Reinhard
Artistic Director
American Festival of Microtonal Music
New York

"As the music director for Aramis Chamber Orchestra and Aramis Chamber Brass, I have known Louis Babin for nearly five years. However, it is as a trumpet player with the brass quintet that I have experienced three of Mr. Babin's works. Mr. Babin displays great versatility and a real talent as a composer. Although his compositions sometimes pose great technical challenges, Louis Babin's works are always very accessible to a music-loving public."

Dominic Derasse
President and CEO
New York Filmharmonic Orchestra (NYFO)
World renown trumpeter