Jean‑François Guay studied at McGill University in Montreal and at the Conservatory of Bordeaux, France, where he received his gold medal under the direction of Jean‑Marie Londeix. He also holds a Masters in performance from Laval University in Quebec.
In 2000, Jean-François was the director of the 12th World Saxophone Congress held in Montreal, Canada. A specialist in contemporary music, Jean‑François Guay has commissioned numerous works for the saxophone.
He is currently a professor of saxophone at CÉGEP Marie‑Victorin in Montreal and the University of Montreal. Jean-François is the founding member of the Nelligan Saxophone Quartet which was formed in 1994 with the mandate to showcase the contemporary and classical repertoire for the saxophone.
Show Notes: Organising the 12th World Saxophone Congress. Fundraising for saxophone events. The silence after the intensity of a large event. Starting the Association des Saxophonistes du Québec. Bringing Canadian saxophonists together. Getting to know the world's saxophone players. Limited Canadian opportunities for saxophone and orchestra. Getting started playing the tuba. Learning with teachers Rémi Ménard, Abe Kestenberg and Jean-Marie Londeix. Having encouraging and critical teachers. Squeezing in practice around other activities. Learning to be efficient out of necessity. Thoughts on working from memory. Keeping fit for a long career. Recordings as a documentation process. The importance of living a rich life. Teaching at Cégep Marie-Victorin and the Université de Montréal. Working with great Canadian composers. The importance of playing good music. The Art of Fugue. The joy of being with people. Focussing on the task and not the risk. Always be over-prepared. Exciting new projects coming up. Being part of an orchestra but feeling apart. Having a fire inside of me!
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