Lex French Jazz Trumpeter, Composer, and Arranger
New Album "In The World's First Summer" Out Now!
Meet Lex
New Zealand-born jazz trumpet player Lex French is fast becoming a bright star on the Canadian jazz scene. French possesses a unique voice on the trumpet and plays with technical virtuosity and abiding musical inventiveness, often being compared to legendary trumpeters Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, and Kenny Wheeler.
"An extraordinary trumpeter" - Stanley Pean, CBC-RadioCanada
Lex has collaborated with jazz luminaries such as Bennie Maupin, Aaron Parks, Diana Krall, Patti Austin, Kurt Elling, Charles McPherson, Camille Thurman, Ira Coleman, Darrell Green, David Binney, Sam Newsome, and John Hollenbeck. He is also an internationally sought-after composer and arranger and has recently been commissioned to write works for jazz orchestra, jazz quartet, and string quartet.
His most recent album In the World's First Summer was released on October 4th 2024 on Justin Time Records, and features a band of elite Montreal musicians: François Bourassa on piano, Morgan Moore on bass, and Jim Doxas on drums. Lex draws on myriad influences for this album, which includes original compositions inspired by the visual arts and poetry, arrangements of folk songs from around the world, and standards from the jazz canon.
Lex is also a respected educator and he currently works at McGill University's Schulich School of Music in Montreal teaching large and small ensembles, jazz trumpet, jazz improvisation, composition and graduate jazz pedagogy. He is also a sought-after band-director and clinician.
Select Discography
As leader
Please consider buying rather than streaming to support the artists!
The Cut
2014
Lex's first album as leader, recorded in 2013 in Montreal.
Available here: https://rattlejazz.bandcamp.com/album/the-cut
Prevent the Future
2017
Lex's second album, featuring legendary Australian guitarist, James Muller.
Available here: https://lexfrench.bandcamp.com/album/prevent-the-future
Live at the Rogue
2020
Recorded at a live gig in Wellington NZ. Embrace the liveness...
Available here:
https://theloniousrecords.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-the-rogue
As sideman or arranger
Please consider buying rather than streaming to support the artists!
Bogdan Gumenyuk - Love Letters to the Other Side
2022
Emie R Roussel - Intersections
2017
The Blaze Velluto Collection - What's on Your Mind?
2023
Available here: https://theblazevellutocollection.bandcamp.com/
Tunnel Duo - Out for a While
2020
DunumDunum - We didn't Sign Up For This
2020
Available here: https://dunumdunum.bandcamp.com/album/we-didnt-sign-up-for-this
All music is available to stream; just search Lex French on your preferred platform.