The international group has compiled some favorite music for their first album entitled Joie de Vivre (Joy of Living). The engaging album flows seamlessly from gypsy jazz to samba to the immortal Beatles.
Wrote Canadian critic Jordan Richardson, "Joie de Vivre breaks new ground in a world dulled by powerless genres and pointless musical borders. The album is a cultured compendium of musical styles surrounding an astonishing voice—an exciting offering for those thirsting for something unique and beautiful."
Based in the Washington DC area, this international band formed in 2010 and soon enjoyed an explosive popularity. By 2011 they were nominated for no fewer than three Wammie Awards from the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) in the categories were "Best Jazz Group," "Best Jazz Vocals" and "Best Newcomers." Audiences adore the group's song based, guitar driven, repertoire with lyrics sung in three languages. The debut CD release 'Joie de Vivre' entered the Jazz Week top 20 chart and has enjoyed radio play throughout the US and Europe.
Joie de Vivre offers simple yet sophisticated arrangements of enduring classics from Brazil, Mexico, France and Great Britain. Unexpected interpretations raise even well known hits to new heights, while the compositional gifts of guitarist David Rosenblatt are displayed in the instrumental “Abertura do Verão” (“Opening of Summer”), features a subtle and pleasing baião rhythm from North East Brazil. The album is sure to satisfy music lovers eager to explore new musical frontiers to find the best the world has to offer in jazz and its kindred spirits in the pop, folk and classical idioms.
Véronneau was formed in 2010 by French Canadian vocalist Lynn Véronneau and her husband, British guitarist Ken Avis, . The couple met a decade ago while performing at a festival in Switzerland. Each performed widely in Canada, the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe before teaming up in the U.S.
Lynn's rich and captivating voice has an intonation and emotional quality reminiscent of Eva Cassidy, but carries more force, approaching that of compatriot Céline Dion. She has been compared to Astrud Gilberto and Stacey Kent in style and delivery.
The band includes American guitarist David Rosenblatt who grew up in Brazil and returned to study classical guitar, and percussionist Pete Walby, who traveled extensively in the Mideast. Guest musicians British violinist Dave Kline and internationally respected Canadian saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk add depth, spice and nuance to the album.
La Mer
Veronneau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Qu'on voit danser le long des golfes clairs
A des reflets d'argent
La mer
Des reflets changeants
Sous la pluie
La mer
Ses blancs moutons
Avec les anges si purs
La mer bergère d'azur
Infinie
Voyez
Près des étangs
Ces grands roseaux mouillés
Voyez
Ces oiseaux blancs
Et ces maisons rouillées
La mer
Les a bercés
Le long des golfes clairs
Et d'une chanson d'amour
La mer
A bercé mon cœur pour la vie
Veronneau's song La Mer talks about the sea, its beauty, and its influence on the singer's heart. The lyrics describe the dancing sea, with its changing reflections, under the rain. In the summer sky, the sea's white waves blend with the angels in purity. The sea is like a shepherdess, covering everything with its infinite blue. The singer invites us to see the wet reeds, the white birds, and the rusty houses near the ponds. The sea has cradled them, singing a love song, and has embraced the singer's heart for a lifetime.
Line by Line Meaning
La mer
The sea
Qu'on voit danser le long des golfes clairs
That is seen dancing along the clear Gulf shores
A des reflets d'argent
Has silver reflections
Des reflets changeants
Changing reflections
Sous la pluie
Under the rain
Au ciel d'été confond
In the summer sky, it blends
Ses blancs moutons
Its white sheep
Avec les anges si purs
With the angels so pure
La mer bergère d'azur
The azure shepherdess sea
Infinie
Infinite
Voyez
See
Près des étangs
Near the ponds
Ces grands roseaux mouillés
These large wet reeds
Voyez
See
Ces oiseaux blancs
These white birds
Et ces maisons rouillées
And these rusty houses
La mer
The sea
Les a bercés
Rocked them
Le long des golfes clairs
Along the clear Gulf shores
Et d'une chanson d'amour
And with a love song
La mer
The sea
A bercé mon cœur pour la vie
Rocked my heart for life
Contributed by Riley O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.