A Few Colors
Canada's fleeting post-punk modern jazz septet
From 1988 to 1991, A Few Colors was a meteoric modern jazz septet that united some of Canada's best younger jazz musicians.
The group was regularly recorded and broadcast on CBC and was present at several editions of the Montreal International Jazz Festival. They played at the Québec National Library and the National Gallery of Canada and in jazz clubs such as l’Air du Temps and Café Central and presented several concerts at Maisons de la Culture.
Led by drummer Jon Miller and composer-guitarist Luc Bourgeois, A Few Colors’ music was structured for collective interplay and individual improvisations. The band had an uncommon melodic front line that shaped its uniquely bittersweet sound (guitar, trumpet, soprano, and tenor saxophones). Arrangements were supported by a solid rhythm section, allowing the intimacy of solos, duos, and trios as well as explosions worthy of a big band.
Their music, rooted in the jazz tradition, is characterized by great freedom, sensitive interplay, and sincere intention. The music created by A Few Colors remains unique and contemporary more than 35 years after its creation.
The septet's CD, recorded in 1988 over two evenings and mixed in two days, was restored and remastered in 2026, considerably improving the audio quality and highlighting the original intent of the music.
Available soon:
"One of the best jazz albums of the year. A very enjoyable album, full of surprises and inventiveness. Bravo. And I'll stop here because if I add more, people will stop believing me."
Jacques Bertrand, Radio-Canada, 1990
"A Few Colors, guitarist Luc Bourgeois' septet, seems to have fed itself from Gil Evans' best music. Well structured, the music is also served by unfailing soloists."
B. Legros, Jazz In Time Magazine # 20-21, Belgium, 1991
"A Few Colors is a high calibre formation that has achieved a fine balance between instrumental efficiency and audacity."
Alain Brunet, La Presse, January 12, 1991
"A Few Colors introduces the music of guitarist Luc Bourgeois. His compositions and arrangements are this CD's considerable strength... definitely on to a good thing."
Mark Miller, Toronto Globe and Mail, January 28, 1991
"Here is a composer who likes to play with meter, he likes to play with dynamics, and he likes to play with mood. Not ever just for the sake of showing that he can play around with these elements, but because it serves a purpose that he has in mind for the specific piece of music."
"A truly extraordinary Montreal group."
Katie Malloch, Jazz Beat CBC, 1991
"A sharp-eared septet led by guitarist Luc Bourgeois that virtually smokes with tension and release."
Andrew Jones, The Montreal Mirror, Novembre 15, 1990
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