Sauvé Joël

Article by Jason Setnyk
The Local Seeker
July 29, 2011

Joël Sauvé's musical talents are definitely getting recognized. He was one of several nominations for the Seeker's musician of the year, and he was awarded the title Cornwall musician of the year by another local publication and he uncrowned local legend Graham Greer in the process.

Sometimes Joël plays solo gigs, sometimes he plays with drummer Jason Allaire in The Vague-Abonds, and sometimes he also plays in Montreal band Playing With Diana. He also has a new project in the works with Jason Allaire, Rodney Rivette, Marc Muir, and Joël Plamondon.

He attributes school as the place where he first learned about music. "I grew up in Cornwall, and I started playing the recorder in Grade 5. I went to La Citadelle where I joined the Senior Band in Grade 9 playing the clarinet, and then later the soprano/alto saxophones and oboe. High-school is where I was also introduced to being part of a rock band.'' In his youth he also played bass and become lead singer of Cornwall band Pintail Drake.

After high school Joël Sauvé went to University and continued learning about music there.

''I went to Concordia Univertisty in Integrated Music Studies then later in Electroacoustic Studies. My audition instrument was the Alto Saxophone. I studied four years but never completed my Bachelor. I started working in the bars in Montreal as a sound man and host of open mic nights in various bars. Sauvé also worked at Steve's Music in Montreal, and he was also in a variety of different bands including The Vague, and he played shows in the Montreal and Cornwall area. The Vague recorded a 4 song demo, and it got regular rotation on 97.7 CHOM FM.

After Vague folded, Sauvé joined Montreal rock band playing With Diana. They recorded a full length LP called ''The Path of Most Resistance" in 2009. Songs off that album M FM, Mix 96 FM in Montreal, and 101.9 FM, The Bear in Ottawa.

Joël Sauvé is also a private music teacher, still plays acoustic shows both solo and with drummer Jason Allaire in The Vague-Abonds, playing shows in Cornwall, Ottawa, and the surrounding areas. Sauvé recently played gigs in Ottawa for Canada Day and Rock the Vote and Rock for Charity in Cornwall. Sauvé hopes to one day tour Canada.

''I would love to be able to make a living at just writing and playing music for the rest of my life, however of a pipe dream that is. Not rich and famous, just enough to live an enjoyable life. Touring Canada would be great!