Biography

Composer, saxophonist, improviser, and conductor, Montreal-based Philippe Côté is a musical explorer at the crossroads of jazz and classical.

He has composed for Orchestre national de jazz de Montréal, Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, Ensemble Paramirabo, and has collaborated with Quatuor Saguenay and New York pianist Marc Copland.

Lungta, his first album of original compositions for jazz quintet and wind orchestra, was produced by renowned American saxophonist David Binney. Philippe Côté spent many years crafting the album’s intriguing jazz and classical perspective, culminating in a body of work earning critical appraisal:

 

“Montreal saxophonist and composer Philippe Côté’s new album Lungta is a grand, sweeping accomplishment.”

-Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen

 

“People who love Gil Evans and Maria Schneider will want to know about Lungta.”

-Thomas Conrad, Stereophile

 

Currently completing his doctorate in music at McGill University, Philippe is studying composition and conducting with John Hollenbeck and Guillaume Bourgogne. Recipient of numerous awards, particularly grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, Philippe’s work was shaped by his time spent in New York where he encountered long-time mentor David Binney, and experienced Lennie Tristano’s teaching method, learned from the prolific Marc Copland.

Since November 2019, Philippe Côté has joined ODD SOUND, a platform for creating, producing, and disseminating jazz music in Montreal to enhance musicians’ and composers’ work.