Bon Débarras was born from a chance encounter between 3 dynamic artists from the music, dance and poetry worlds. Drawing their inspiration from the rich traditions of French-speaking North America, the band was nominated for their self-titled début for an ADISQ award in the ‘Traditional music album of the year’ category; and again in 2013 for Errance, their second opus. Changes have occurred among the members, but the trio remains true to their roots, while exploring composition and music styles including folk, trad and slam… an American crossroads where tradition and modernity meet.
With their latest album, 2017’s En panne de silence, Bon Débarras moves boldly into a repertoire that is almost entirely original, steeped in poetry and rhythmic urban sounds – and even a touch of Aboriginal influence. More innovative than ever, the trio remains true to the rhythms of French-speaking America with those unambiguous Quebec flavors supported by a newcomer – the fiddle. And that’s how, over the years, this warm-hearted band has been able to carry on an identity, a style and an energy-filled zest for life quite unique and beautifully served by the versatility of the musicians as well as their daring jigging and vivid body percussion.
Bon Débarras drew the attention of European presenters in 2014 after receiving the Lynda Lemay Award at the Festival de la chanson de Granby. The group performed some twenty concerts in France on their 2016 Granby-Europe tour. Since its birth, the band has played throughout Canada, the United States, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom as well as making regular appearances in France.