GUY BÉLANGER
In the beginning, in 1974, Guy Bélanger, armed with his harmonicas at his belt, met Bob Walsh, also from Quebec City, who introduced him to the rudiments of the blues by sharing the different stages of the Old Capital.
Later, he joined the Delta Blues Band, with whom he played for over four years. During this time, he had the opportunity to work alongside renowned musicians such as Muddy Waters, Koko Taylor, Big Mama Thornton, James Cotton, and Dutch Mason. These diverse experiences greatly broadened his musical horizons.
In 1987, he joined bluesman Bob Walsh and his band. This marked the beginning of an adventure that would last over thirty years and allow him to tour and perform at numerous festivals in France and Switzerland. They participated together in more than 15 editions of the Montreal International Jazz Festival. This was followed by a series of collaborations with over 60 Quebec and French artists, including Céline Dion and Cirque du Soleil.
In 2003, his meeting with guitarist Claude Fradette led to the soundtrack for the film Gaz Bar Blues, which won the Jutra Award for Best Film Music and the Lys Blues Award for Best Album in 2003. Their collaboration continues to this day, and they composed the music for Louis Bélanger's films The Timekeeper (2009) and Vivre à 100 Milles à l'heure (2019), as well as the music for Louis Saïa's television series Les Boys (SRC) between 2009 and 2012 and for Séquelles in 2016. That same year, he also composed the sole soundtrack for the film Les Mauvaises Herbes, which was nominated for the 2017 Iris Award.
The first solo album of compositions and collaborations, the eponymous Guy Bélanger, was finally released in February 2008 and attracted rave reviews from both the public and the press (4 Lys Blues in 2009 for album of the year, male blues artist, songwriter and breakthrough group).
Crossroads was released in September 2010 and also garnered numerous accolades. In 2011, he composed, in collaboration with Benoit Charest, the music for the film Route 132, which was awarded the Jutra Prize for Best Original Score.
The album Dusty Trails was released in October 2012, and the Canadian tour began a few weeks later. The back-to-basics album, Blues Turn, was released in 2014. Recorded in Chicago, Toronto, and Montreal, it received a nomination for Independent Recording of the Year at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January 2015. That same year, Guy also won the award for Best Harmonica Player in Canada and toured his show across the country and in France.
In 2016, the harmonica virtuoso composed the soundtrack for his brother Louis's film *Les Mauvaises Herbes* and participated as a special guest on Céline Dion's Quebec tour that summer. That fall, he received the 2016 André Gagnon Award from SPACQ (Société professionnelle des auteurs et compositeurs du Québec). Known for his sensitivity, generosity, and talent, Guy is admired for his ability to maintain sincerity within virtuosity.
Having garnered numerous awards and accolades, he released his seventh career album, Traces & Scars, which was nominated for Instrumental Album of the Year at the 2017 ADISQ Awards. This album celebrates Guy's talent as a composer. Created while the artist was celebrating significant personal victories but also experiencing profound grief, it features ten instrumental pieces that navigate between folk and blues, as well as two superb songs, one of which is performed by Luce Dufault. This inspired and luminous recording, dedicated to his friend Bob Walsh (1947-2016), showcases the best of this gentleman harmonica player and composer, whose joy in playing is evident and undiminished more than 45 years after his debut.
Guy Bélanger released the album Eldorado on October 25, 2019, continuing his long journey paved with musical adventures. He is accompanied by his stellar band: Rob MacDonald (guitars), Marc-André Drouin (bass), and Michel Dufour (drums). In addition, he was joined by accomplished musicians he met during his travels and tours. These include cellist Eric Longsworth, Franco-German guitarist and singer Mathis Haug, and Paul Picard (Céline Dion's percussionist). Eldorado garnered rave reviews from the British, American, Australian, Italian, and other media outlets.
In June 2023, Guy released his 9th album, Voyages & autres histoires / Voyages & other stories. Another chapter in his musical journey, he continues in the vein of his previous albums with this skillful blend of several original pieces and a few judiciously chosen reinterpretations, including Bonnie Raitt's I Can't Make You Love Me and the brilliant Do I Move You by Nina Simone, a track recorded in collaboration with singer Sylvie Desgroseilliers.
In August 2025, renowned harmonica player and singer Guy Bélanger will celebrate 50 years in the music industry with Postcards from London, his tenth album recorded at London's legendary Abbey Road Studios. Produced by Guy Bélanger and Rob MacDonald, and mixed by the acclaimed Larry O'Malley (2017 Grammy Award nominee for Best Blues Album for Eric Bibb Migration Blues), Postcards from London sees Bélanger, accompanied by his band (Rob MacDonald, Alec McElcheran, Dan Legault) and guests Éric Longsworth, Mélissa Lavergne, Rob Lutes, Mark LeClerc, and Tommy Gauthier, once again exploring the roots of the Blues, its musical heritage, and cinematic influences.
Guy also benefited from the exceptional collaboration of arranger and pianist Yves Frulla (keyboardist for Céline Dion, among others). The album's repertoire is also enhanced with a lovely, very British touch!
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