PIANISSIMO: Kate Wyatt & Félix Stüssi
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Kate Wyatt
Originally from Victoria BC, pianist and composer Kate Wyatt is now considered one of the top tier jazz musicians in the city of Montreal. She has been praised as having “musical ideas and a style of playing and writing that is on par with the current jazz piano elite: Mehldau, Yaron Herman, Shai Maestro, Fred Hersch.”, and has been hailed as “one of the top artists of Montreal, Quebec, or even Canadian jazz.” (Cardin/Brunet, panm360.com).
In July 2022 Wyatt released her most recent album, Artifact, to excellent critical reviews. Joined by Lex French (trumpet), Adrian Vedady (bass) and Jim Doxas (drums) she leads a quartet whose effortless chemistry fosters deep interaction and high intensity. As one reviewer described, “Artifact is filled with melody, spirit, and a joy for playing together that brings the listener hope. This album is a gem. Highly recommended!!” (Richard Kamins, Step Tempest)
Kate Wyatt has performed with many recognized and respected musicians, including Kenny Wheeler, Jay Clayton, Ira Coleman, Yannick Rieu, Christine Jensen, Itamar Borochov, Ranee Lee, Don Thompson, Barry Elmes, Al McLean, and the Orchestre national de jazz de Montreal (ONJ). She has a passion for improvisation and innovation, and strives for a high level of sensitivity and interaction in her performances. Her music has been recognized with awards from the Canada Council for the Arts, FACTOR, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, and the conseil des arts de Montréal.
As well as being a passionate performer and composer, Wyatt is a deeply invested music educator. She conducts masterclasses and heads the jazz program at Marianopolis College. Kate has been working as part of the Canadian Amateur Musicians/Musiciens Amateurs du Canada (CAMMAC) teaching team for over 10 years and has recently been asked to join the faculty at JazzWorks Canada.
www.katewyattpiano.com
Félix Stüssi
Be it on a bicycle or behind the keys, Félix Stüssi loves adventure and fresh air. Since his move from Switzerland to Canada, Stüssi has turned his back on journalism - jazz piano and composition are now his main focus. In 2007, his quintet won the prestigious Grand Prix of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal. A year later, US-trombonist Ray Anderson joined the project and the band turned into a sextet. The four albums of the group were very well received on both sides of the Atlantic, they were nominated for several prizes (Juno Awards, ADISQ, Prix Opus).
The quartet SuperNova 4 with Jean Derome (saxes, flute), Normand Guilbeault (bass) and Pierre Tanguay (drums) has released a self-titled album in 2020 (Effendi FND159), followed by UNICUM in 2024 (FND171). During the pandemic, the duo Jean Derome & Félix Stüssi have produced PAPPERLAPAPP (FND168), recorded and filmed in the pianist’s living room. In 2026, Félix Stüssi and Ray Anderson are planning on recording a first duo-album, stay tuned. Just recently, Stüssi has formed a new trio with two rising stars, Alex Le Blanc on bass and Jules Payette on drums.
Félix Stüssi returns regularly to Europe, where he has played among others with Bruno Spoerri, Nils Wogram, Jürg Wickihalder, Christoph Grab, Werner Fischer and Peter A. Schmid. Schmid and Stüssi have recorded a duo CD which has been released on Unit Records in January 2017 (Transatlantic Conversations, UTR 4738). In January 2017, the region Glarus Nord (Switzerland) has honoured Stüssi with a culture price. As already in 2015 and 2022, Ray Anderson and Félix Stüssi will undertake a tour in Europe in May/June 2026.
As a member of the Auguste Quartet and the Jazzlab Orchestra, Félix Stüssi has frequently toured in Canada, Europe and Asia. He was commissioned to compose and arrange an entirely new repertoire for the Jazzlab Orchestra, featured on the group’s album Quintessence (Effendi, FND 152).
felixstussi.com
