Cristian Rosemary: BOSSA-NOVA and SOUTH

Whether performing solo or with his trio, musician Cristian Rosemary plays at jazz venues such as Festi Jazz de Mont-Tremblant and at world music locations like Club Balattou in Montreal. A Canadian artist of Chilean origin, Cristian Rosemary built a musical career in Chile from 1980 to 1991, which he resumed with greater intensity recently. Since 2022, he has performed not only in Canada but also in Costa Rica, India, and other destinations as part of his “snowbird” travels.

Since 2022, Cristian has collaborated with top Canadian musicians, such as pianist, arranger, and conductor Guy St-Onge (former musical director for Céline Dion and Michel Legrand); Elizabeth Shepherd, a six-time JUNO-nominated jazz pianist; and Jean-François Groulx, recipient of the Du Maurier Award at the Montreal International Jazz Festival and a pianist on Radio-Canada’s show "En direct de l’univers." Cristian even wrote lyrics for one of Groulx’s instrumental pieces, "Sin tu luz," a version they've performed together at recent Cristian Rosemary Trio concerts in Val-David, Sainte-Adèle, and Sainte-Agathe. Other notable musicians, such as Brazilian pianist Manoel Vieira and French guitarist Samuel Bonnet, have also accompanied him.

The Cristian Rosemary Trio consists of drummer Alain Plouffe and bassist Guy Richer, both with over 50 years of experience. Plouffe has performed with celebrated artists such as American singer Geraldine Hunt, Michel Donato, and Vic Vogel. During his nearly ten-year stay in the U.S., Plouffe also played with Omar Mesa of the legendary funk band Mandrill and guitarist Randy Bernsen, a collaborator of Joe Zawinul. Richer, an accomplished bassist, pianist, and arranger, has worked with renowned Canadian artists like René Claude, Louise Forestier, and the Séguin brothers.

Cristian Rosemary’s repertoire highlights classic Brazilian bossa novas sung in Portuguese, his own bossa novas written in French and Spanish, and other compositions inspired by South American sounds. Since 1976, he has written nearly 300 songs, including French and Spanish adaptations of international hits like “The Look of Love” (Burt Bacharach/D. Hall), “Close to You” (Burt Bacharach/Hal David), and “Smile” (Charles Chaplin/Turner/Parsons).

For a taste of their music: