Etienne Lafrance

Double Bass

Québec doublebassist Etienne Lafrance is an eclectic, curious and passionate artist. Multi-genre musician, he is at ease in classical and early music, as well as creative-improvised music, world music and accompanying singers. 

After getting his basic formation at the Québec Conservatory of Music, he did many internships at the François Rabbath International Institute in Paris, where he received both teacher and soloist diplomas. He teaches each summer at the Domaine Forget Academy, as well as in various workshops, notably in the United-States and Australia. 

Etienne was a member of the Québec Symphony Orchestra for 21 years, most of it as co-principal bass. Now being a freelance bassist, he plays with various ensembles in the Montreal area, symphony orchestras, early music groups and new music ensembles: OSQ, Violons du Roy, I Musici, Ensemble Caprice, Orchestre Filmharmonique, SMCQ, OSTR, OSS, Sinfonia de Lanaudière etc. 

He is a close collaborator with jazz pianist Marianne Trudel’s various projects: Trifolia with percussionist Patrick Graham, Hommage à Jobim, Trio, 4tet, 5tet etc. Trifolia won the opus prize for their cd Le Refuge in 2013. They toured in north America and Mexico, Europe and Asia.  

He also forms a duet with guitarist Simon Proulx, playing mainly compositions, transcriptions and Bach adaptations. Their style could be described as a blend of folk, traditional, jazz, and baroque music. They have a recording entitled «en attendant l’été» and have played concerts in Canada and the United-States. 

Etienne is also a member of Montreal based Oktoecho, a world music collective, with whom he has the chance to play with great musicians from Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Irak, Morocco, Tunisia, Spain as well as musicians from Canada’s First Nations and Inuit people. 

Unique and eclectic soloist, he plays pieces from favorite composers, transcriptions and his own compositions.  

Besides music Etienne is a passionate wilderness traveler, by canoe in the summer and by snowshoe in the winter, following traditional routes of the First Nations people. He lives in the laurentian mountains north of Montreal with his wife and two children.