Press Coverage -
Thierry André, of an elegant simplicity - Interview (2022) - CMAQ
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OCTOBER 5th 2022
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Thierry André, of an elegant simplicity
CMAQ interview with Thierry André, luthier, instrument maker and professional craftsman member of the CMAQ
Photos > Jean Fitzgerald. Courtesy of Thierry André
CHAUDIÈRE-APPALACHES
Thierry André has been making stunningly designed guitars since the 1990s. He crafts them from different materials and shapes to create a variety of more refined tones. His high-quality creations have his own signature that harmonizes art, craftsmanship and acoustic science. And this, as André Brunet points out, “in an elegant simplicity; his instruments strike at the same time by their visual beauty and their sound quality. [In his designs], every detail matters, especially when it comes to touch, sound, responsiveness”.
Recently established in St-Jean-Port-Joli, Thierry André is well recognized in the field of contemporary guitar making both nationally and internationally. For him, “art is a softening factor in life. It has the same function as a frank little hello exchanged between neighbours; both don't seem to be absolutely necessary for our survival...but ultimately they each enhance our daily experience.
With a life of creation, for him, “art is present everywhere, in the form of design, architecture, social expression; it is the creativity brought to ideas, to speech, to objects, to our environment. It is often enough to miss it to realize its real presence. »
André is the recipient of several awards of excellence and grants in fine crafts, including the prestigious Jean-Marie-Gauvreau (JMG) award. The CMAQ team takes news of the winner of the 2020 JMG award.
Q: How did you hear about the JMG Prize in 2020?
A: In 2007, I was a finalist for the François-Houdé prize, which celebrates the beginnings of a practice in fine crafts. I had a vague idea then that there was a price for a more sustained career; something that lasts. Everything seemed inaccessible to me at the time.
Twelve years later, when my little girl was born, I wanted to do a work to celebrate her birth. Once done, I realized that I had also just given my practice a gift; I had gone to the end of an idea with heart, and I now had a mainly expressive work to share. Then in 2020, he proposed his candidacy for the JMG prize.
Q: What project have you developed thanks to your award?
A: The prize was reinvested in my practice. I bought some tools, wood for the lutherie, etc. In general, prices and scholarships help the artist to have a broader vision of the actions that are really possible. Having a little means gives horizons.
It's very striking, very important, to be able to create at least once without worrying too much about – how much –. Then the path is open... and since we've already taken it, it's easier to find our way even with the constraints.
Q: How has this fine crafts award had a positive impact on your career?
A: To be a luthier who is recognized especially internationally and in a fairly specialized market, it is a great experience to be celebrated in Quebec, especially by being rewarded by my peers in the arts and crafts. That my work can also touch someone who makes ceramics, jewelry, clothes... All of this tells me that I work with a creative language that makes sense and acts on different levels.
Whether for the medium of the guitar, or more broadly to highlight the handcrafted object, the overall equation surrounding the transformation of matter is viable insofar as it is fully shared. Everything is always to be improved... Between the work on the object and its sale, there are dozens of different tasks to accomplish and learning is constant.
50% of my work has nothing to do with drawing, carving wood, or adjusting a guitar... But in order for me to be able to do that, I'm ready to tackle customs declaration forms, accounting, the less nice stuff.
Q: Any good news to share?
A: My first permanent workshop in my career! This year, my family and I are moving into our first house with independent workshop, land and view of the river, in St-Jean-Port-Joli QC. It is very different from the city; no parking problems, no more commercial space for rent and the workshop is 40 feet away from the house.
I am currently renovating the workshop, which has never been heated or insulated. It's a good piece-on-piece building that's quite sturdy. It's very rewarding for the manual in me to make windows appear where there were none, to decide where I make the hole for my door, where I put the stairs... I found a cedar plank...old...grey-black and hard, incredibly acoustic. It is certain that I make a guitar with it! I can't wait to play it.
Works by Thierry André in order of publication:
Maya (2015). Acoustic bass guitar and magnetic pickup.
Wurcer fruit-guitar (2018) Round body acoustic guitar (calabash) with ergonomic cut.
Kouai (2014) Hollow-body guitar with magnetic pickup.
Multi (2015) Multi-string guitar- archtop harp.
Sun, Moon, and Vibrations (2019). Extended round body acoustic guitar, monocoque, with internal pickup.
Oldschool Archtop (2017). Acoustic guitar
Echoes of Time (2022) - Workbench Demo by luthier Thierry André
Discovering new instruments : A guitar that roars (2022)
Magnifissance Magazine - James H. White
Lutherie Québécoise (2020) - LaPresse - Sylvain Sarrazin
Local article about guitar makers from the province of Quebec. Many peer luthiers are featured, and the author writes furthermore about Thierry's creation, Guitare-Fruit Wurcer.
Clara archtop (2020)
PODCAST (Français, 35 minutes) : Tout un Bagage- Vs, audio- Une production CMAQ / QUB radio
Podcast interview with Louis-Jean Cormier and Martin Léon, in which Thierry talks about his work and process (French audio, 35 minutes).
Article : Meeting between the musician Louis-Jean Cormier and the luthier Thierry André: when the guitar becomes a muse. -The canadian news
Article : Rencontre entre le musicien Louis-Jean Cormier et le luthier Thierry André: quand la guitare devient une muse. -Le journal de Montréal
Artsy Shark : Featured artist Thierry Andre (2020)
Article : Featured artist Thierry André on Artsy Shark (USA) (États-Unis) Portrait.
Fine Craft Award - Prix Jean Marie Gauvreau (2020) -
Conseil des Métiers d'art du Québec
Last December, Thierry's work was highlighted and chosen for its general impact within the Quebec's fine craft professions :
The Jean-Marie Gauvreau prize is a yearly award juried by Le Conseil des métiers d'arts du Québec.
Thanks to Le Conseil des Métiers d'arts du Québec.
Musical Design (2019) :
Technological innovation and evolution of language in guitar design -
Antonio Marano - Gangemi Editore, Rome
Guitar book publication, 2019.
It is quite an honour to be part of this 2019 guitar publication from Gangemi Editore!
Antonio Marano, associate professor of design at the Department of Architecture, University of Chieti-Pescara ( Italy ) has just made a very accomplished work here.
His portrait of the evolution of the instrument is fantastic, and it features the works of many of my contemporary peer luthiers from all over the world.
A total of 9 pages are devoted to Thierry's work:- From early instruments like Zyra, to recent ones like Sun, Moon, and Vibrations.Merci - Thanks to: Gangemi editore.
Raga guitar (2017) - Acoustic demo - Rudy Pensa - Soho, NYC
Raga guitar, as featured by The Boutique guitar Showcase tour in 2017, played by Rudy Pensa.
Special thanks to Jamie Gale, and Jamie Gale Music for producing this great video footage.
Multi (2015) - Demo - Kinloch Nelson, Jean Marc Hébert- Woodstock NY
Kinloch Nelson with Multi no.1 Woodstock Invitational Luthier Showcase NY, Oct. 2015
Jean-Marc Hebert - plays Multi
Guitars Exchange (2015) - 10 questions we ask everyone - Italy
Article / interview on the Italian website Guitars Exchange, by Massimo D'Angelo. It covers Thierry's debut in the guitar making field, as well as how he approaches his work, and -Why hand-made guitars are here to stay-.
Interview de Thierry André (2014) - Jacques Carbonneaux
Projet Kouai & Oudtar 2 , The Holy Grail Guitar Show - Berlin
Oudtar 2 by Thierry André played by Shai Sebbag
In 2014 was a first invitation to exhibit in Europe,
at the Holy Grail guitar show in Berlin.
Kouai (2014) - Studio Recording- Jean Marc Hébert
Kouai played by Jean-Marc Hébert (Montréal)
Jean-Marc Hébert is a guitarist and composer. Originally trained in classical guitar, he has recorded a dozen albums with formations in various styles, as a performer and sometimes as a co-composer. His career is marked by explorations outside of jazz culture, in particular through Indian music (Ragleela, Catherine Potter, Lavanya Narasiah) and African music (Ernesto Dabo, Lilison, Saïd Mesnaoui, Labess).
Tuku (2013) - Studio Album - Oliver Mtukudzi
Hi Thierry,
My pleasure to hear from you. I hope you are well.
Deze is doing well and is the one I used on the album MOKMBE WE MVURA. Thats why it is on the cover.
I will be in touch in due course.
Sincerely
.Tuku.
Oudtar (2011) : Mutation, Matière, Son - Centre Materia -QC, Canada
Early exhibition in Quebec city, at Centre Materia.
Focusing on the creative-side of instrument-making, this exhibition featured luthiers as well as fine craft and applied arts participants.
Curator Nathalie Racicot with Oudtar by Thierry André at the exhibition -Mutation-Matière-Son,
instruments de musique innovants, Presented at Centre Materia in 2011. Photo : Journal Le Soleil, Pascal Ratthé
Article by Josianne Desloges, Le Soleil (French).
Des six cordes bien bichonnées (2009) Le Devoir-Guillaume-Bourgault Côté
French article published before the 2009 Montreal guitar show,
featuring Thierry André and Michael Greenfield.
Po (2007) - Thierry André: Rencontre avec le luthier Montréalais - Jacques Carbonneaux - France
French early article about Thierry's work.
Zyra (2002) : Ervin Somogyi, The responsive guitar
First feature of Thierry's work in a book publication - alongside many contemporary builders- In Ervin Somogyi's -The Responsive Guitar Circa 2009
Photo: Michael Watts
Upcoming -
2023 -Doux-, du 10 au18 juin, Chapelle des Processions de St-Jean-Port-Joli (Commissariat, Solo) Canada
Past Exhibitions -
2020 The Holy Grail guitar show, EGB, Estrel-Berlin (Version web) (Sélection, Groupe) Allemagne
2017 Salon International de guitare de Québec. Centre La Chapelle (Sélection, Groupe) Canada
2017 Woodstock Invitational Luthier Showcase, Bearsville Theatre (Commissariat, Groupe) États-Unis
2017 Boutique Guitar Showcase USA Tour (Commissariat, Groupe) États-Unis
2016 The Holy Grail guitar show, EGB, Estrel-Berlin (Sélection, Groupe) Allemagne
2016 Acoustic Instrument Celebration, Earl Warren Hall CA (Commissariat, Groupe) États-Unis
2015 The Holy Grail guitar show, EGB, Estrel-Berlin (Sélection, Groupe) Allemagne
2015 Woodstock Invitational Luthier Showcase, Bearsville Theatre (Commissariat, Groupe) États-Unis
2014 The Holy Grail guitar show, EGB, Estrel-Berlin (Sélection, Groupe) Allemagne
2013 Woodstock Invitational Luthier Showcase, Bearsville Theatre (Commissariat, Groupe) États-Unis
2011 Mutation Matière Son, Centre Materia Québec (Commissariat, Groupe) Canada
2010 Salon de la guitare de Montréal, Hyatt Regency Montréal (Sélection, Groupe) Canada
2009 Salon de la guitare de Montréal, Palais des Congrès Montréal (Sélection, Groupe) Canada
2008 Salon de la guitare de Montréal, Hyatt Regency Montréal (Sélection, Groupe) Canada
2007 François-Houdé – Exposition, CMAQ, Place Bonaventure Montréal (Jurée, Groupe) Canada
2007 Salon de la guitare de Montréal, Hyatt Regency Montréal (Sélection, Groupe) Canada
2006 SIMMM salon international, Place des Arts, Montréal (Invitation, Groupe) Canada
1997 Symposium of stringed Instruments Artisans, ASIA, Burlington VT (Invitation, Groupe) États-Unis
Formation -
2005 PERFECTIONNEMENT - Studio de Fred Carlson, Santa Cruz CA États-Unis
1992-97 A.E.C. sp. LUTHERIE - Institut des Métiers D'art du Québec Montréal Canada
1992-97 FORMATION CONTINUE EN LUTHERIE - Bruand Lutherie-Guitare Longueuil Canada
Awards -
2022 Prix Distinction en Métiers d'art (lauréat) CFCMA
2020 Prix Jean-Marie Gauvreau (lauréat) CMAQ
2007 Prix François-Houdé (Mention d'honneur) CMAQ
1999 Prix Jeune Promoteur (lauréat) CDEC MTL
Press coverage -
2022 MATIERES.CA - CMAQ -Thierry André, d'une simplicité élégante Article, Canada
2022 MAGNIFISSANCE -Discovering unique instruments: A guitar that roars -. Article, Canada
2020 LE DEVOIR - Un prix pour le facteur d’instrument Thierry André -. Article, Canada
2020 SARRAZIN, S. - Lutherie Québécoise - LaPresse. Article, Canada
2020 THE CANADIAN - Meeting between Louis-Jean Cormier and Thierry André Article, Canada
2020 QUB RADIO - Tout un bagage - CMAQ/Québécor Média. Podcast, Canada
2020 LE JOURNAL DE MONTRÉAL - Quand la guitare devient une muse - Article, Canada
2020 WATTS, M. - A fingerstyle archtop – Michael Watts Guitars. Reportage web, Angleterre
2020 EDLUND, C. - Featured artist Thierry Andre - Artsy Shark. Article, États-Unis
2019 MARANO, A. - Design Musicale - Gangemi Editore-Rome. Publication, Italie
2019 KUNG, J. T. - Sun, Moon, and Vibrations revisited - Article, Canada
2017 GALE, J. – A conversation with Rudy Pensa – Boutique guitar showcase. Video, États-Unis
2016 JOURNEL, P. - Thierry André, Holy grail Guitar Show 2016 - interview, France
2015 CARBONNEAUX, J. -The Holy Grail Guitar Show 2015 - interview, France
2015 KAISER, U. - Guitarre -Oud- Kombi - Guitar Ausgabe - Article, Allemagne
2015 D’ANGELO, M. - 10 questions we ask everyone - Guitars Exchange. Article, Italie
2014 CARBONNEAUX, J. - Thierry André - Oudtar 2 et guitare Kouai - Article, France
2011 DESLOGES, J. - Mutations-matière-son - Le Soleil, 17 sept.2011, Article, Canada
2009 SOMOGYI, E. - The responsive guitar - Hal Leonard corporation. Mention, États-Unis
2009 BOURGAULT-CÔTÉ, G. -Des six cordes - Le Devoir, Article, Québec, Canada
2009 CARBONNEAUX, J. - Thierry André, rencontre - Reportage web, France
2006 CMAQ - Luthiers québécois présents au SIMMM - Brochure, Québec, Canada
1999 CIRRUS Communications - Fais-en ton affaire - Portrait 7min, Québec, Canada