Press

Morning show “SAMEDI ET RIEN D’AUTRE,” HOSTED BY JOËL LE BIGOT
REVIEW BY FRANCINE GRIMALDI Broadcast on September 24, 2016
“[…] I attended the launch concert of 50 Years of Bossa Nova, led by the very charismatic guitarist and singer Jean-François Léger. I honestly thought he was Brazilian! He’s actually from Quebec, but you’d be mistaken listening to him sing[…].
So here’s a fantastic Bossa Nova album, produced by Disques Nuits d’Afrique, with eight of the twelve selected tracks being Brazilian hits from the 1960s. You’ll notice his impeccable accent, his voice, a blend of clear honey and velvet[…].
Pure delight! […]
He respects the original arrangements without altering them. He sings Bossa Nova in French, with songs like Les eaux de mars by Moustaki and Gilberto by Diane Tell […].
Watch for his name to see him live because he’s a talented storyteller. Each song comes with lots of anecdotes—a wonderful show to see.”

Webzine Les ArtsZé
REVIEW BY EMMA RENO September 22, 2016
Jean-François Léger’s years of creating music for the puppet theater company Théâtre sans fil developed in him a sensitivity to movement, which shines through in his music and singing. This sensitivity is a significant asset, allowing him to interpret with finesse the subtle rhythms of Bossa Nova, which he reintroduces to us on Tuesday, September 20, during the launch of his new CD, 50 Years of Bossa Nova, available in stores on September 30.
Léger’s voice, perfectly suited to this genre of music, convinces us with its clear timbre—soft and warm—and beautifully conveys the Brazilian spirit of “saudade.” Occasionally, you might detect a slight accent that reveals Portuguese isn’t his native language, but in my view, this is an irrelevant detail in my evaluation. The artist doesn’t pretend to be Brazilian, and in a world where cultural boundaries are increasingly blurred, everyone has an accent. This accent has nothing to do with talent; in fact, it adds to the charm!
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For this CD, Léger offers a subtle and nuanced interpretation of Bossa Nova classics, singing and playing guitar. On certain tracks, he also plays the piano, joined by François Blouin, who contributes to Chega de Saudade and Desafinado, bringing a beautiful personal touch. Léger surrounded himself with talented musicians for this project, including Michel Dupire on percussion, and François Marion on double bass and electric bass.
With this selection, these artists warm our hearts and make us want to dance. They manage to recreate the intimate feel of popular chamber music, making us feel as if we’re sitting right beside them in the studio. I tip my hat to these artists who together successfully recreated that warm, intimate sensation that is at the heart of Bossa Nova’s essence—popular chamber music.
Perhaps it’s my need for romance or a touch of “saudade,” but their music makes you feel like you’re being cradled in the arms of your lover.
Jean-François Léger took on a considerable challenge with the selection he presents on this new CD, 50 Years of Bossa Nova. He met the expectations that such a title could generate among listeners, offering subtly personalized reinterpretations of songs by the great Brazilian names in Bossa Nova, artists who left a global mark with their intoxicating songs, such as Vinicius de Moraes, Baden Powell, and Antonio Carlos Jobim.
The CD’s tracklist also contains surprises, revisiting songs that have enchanted us and that we hadn’t necessarily associated with Bossa Nova, including pieces by Francophone artists like Diane Tell and Georges Moustaki. His rendition of a challenging Moustaki song showcases exceptional articulation, rhythm, and breath control!
It’s clear that challenges are no obstacle for this artist, who knows how to deliver.
What stands out about this artist, beyond his attention to detail, professionalism, and talent, is his ability to connect with collaborators and his audience. You sense that the human aspect is essential to him, and he treats people as individuals, not numbers, which only enhances the final result and its quality. The last time I observed such love for one’s work and respect for collaborators, I was in an ashram in India.
Besides his talent and human qualities, what I admire in his artistic approach is the clarity of his intent and the way he channels his talent to achieve the desired results of his artistic vision.
The challenge was substantial: selecting songs that highlight the key moments in Bossa Nova’s history without falling into the trap of being overly commercial. I also found it a clever choice to include a repertoire by Francophone artists, not only French but French-speaking Bossa Nova artists.
First, this choice helps introduce the genre and make it more accessible to audiences who aren’t yet Portuguese speakers. The French lyrics offer another doorway into the Brazilian world of “saudade.” This accessibility can cultivate new audiences and spark curiosity about a rich culture that still has so much to offer the world.
Moreover, in a world where fear of foreigners is rising, successful examples of cultural exchange and collaboration are powerful, diffusing tensions in their own way. This demonstrates the value of art—so often underestimated—because, unlike other fields, it overcomes cultural obstacles, showing that love and openness are the most powerful tools humans have to come together and resolve conflicts.
These are purely selfish wishes, but for next time, Mr. Léger, could we hope for songs by Elis Regina? And above all, when can we expect your own compositions? Please, dare!
If you can’t escape to the sun this winter, I recommend Jean-François Léger’s CD, 50 Years of Bossa Nova—it will give you a dose of vitamin D.
Bom viagem!
Emma Reno

WORLD MUSIC REPORT
REVIEW BY DANILO NAVAS august 9, 2017
On the 23rd of July, the final night of the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, Jean-François Léger occupied its considerably enlarged stage, off and on cloaked in darkness or bathed in blood-red and indigo-blue spotlights.
His voice alternating between a tremulous countertenor and a soaring falsetto Leger launched into his fabulous story “50 ans de Bossa Nova”. The concert was a series of “highs”, two of the most memorable were probably the story of how Frank Sinatra got his full name on the cover of the album Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim: Arranged and Conducted by Claus Ogerman and, of course the explosive performance of a samba squad led by Michel Dupire.
LE BABILLART
REVIEW BY SERGE DION october 20, 2016

To celebrate the release of his new album, Jean-François Léger has gathered some of his favorite musicians: François Marion on double bass, François Blouin on piano, Michel Dupire on percussion, and Mathieu Gagné on electric bass. He offers refined and elegant sounds set against a warm and mellow ambiance. This album includes 12 musical pieces featuring renowned French and Brazilian hits, as well as two Québécois songs specially reinterpreted for the occasion: Gilberto by Diane Tell and Chanter danser by Gilles Rivard—two gems that remain as irresistible today as they did back then. The album pays homage to the great Brazilian Bossa classics that have enriched our lives since the 60s (Alma de Pierro, Desafinado, Agua de Beber…), alongside the companion to the show 50 Years of Bossa Nova, which the singer has presented across Quebec over the past four years. This album by Jean-François Léger is pure relaxation! To listen to samples, click here! (Disques Nuits d’Afrique)