About Me
Francophone singer Michelle A. Richard is strongly influenced by her Acadian roots, which date back to her first Acadian ancestor in 1657 in Port Royal, Nova Scotia. Performing a range of bilingual vocal stylings including jazz, blues, dance and traditional songs over 400 years old, Richard’s music provides an eclectic selection that has captivated audiences throughout Canada and elsewhere.
This has been an exciting year for Michelle, which in May/June 2008 included receiving the Best Performer Award at Vancouver’s Pacific En Chanson, and representing B.C. at Chant’Ouest, in Saskatchewan. She also toured the prairies with Theatre in the Raw as a singer and actor, and has appeared on CBC Radio-Canada, CBC TV, CBC Radio One Winnipeg, Shaw TV, Fearless TV, CFRO 102.7FM and CJSF 90.1FM. In July 2008, she released her first, self-titled album to critical acclaim here and abroad, and saw one of her compositions, “Je Pense A Toiâ€, promoted in Japan by Music B.C. Michelle just signed a deal with Quickstar Productions, in the U.S., to have her song “Ces Blues Dans La Nuit†promoted there in their compilation CD titled “Eleventh Hourâ€.michelleamusic.blogspot.com"Richard’s bilingual talent carries a dual musical depth that keeps listeners entertained with a fresh vibe with each new track...you can feel the bond between singer and band that produces tracks which exude certain levels of musical kinship that is difficult to encounter in modern music.†Meghan Clarkston, Sea to Sky News, July 2008
“She sings with a rare ease, always with in a dusky low register of the soprano. Her phrasing is spectacular and her wispy, delayed vibrato is a rich infusion of quarter notes that she bends and twirls sensuously in a singularly new and individual voice with a twist of Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday. It appears that Richard is headed for a main stage somewhere in the not too distant future to join vocalists like Cassandra Wilson in the great tradition of Jazz vocalization.†Raul D’Gama Rose, All About Jazz.com, March 2009
“In the category of the new jazz singers which includes Holly Cole and Diana Krall, we will have to include Michelle A Richard." Marc Lalonde, Quebec Centrart Culturel, December 2008
“Michelle A Richard held a real rapport with the band. Everything flowed. It’s as if the moment was focused all on her.†Michel Lalonde, CBC Radio-Canada Regina, on Chant’Ouest 2008
"On the subject of awards, singer/actress Michelle Richard took top honours at this year's Pacific En Chanson (May 2008), sponsored by the BC Centre for Francophone Arts and Culture and described as a network of Canadian francophone cultural association events. Richard competed for best singer against five francophone singer/songwriters from the Yukon and BC. Judges included teachers, artists, industry professionals and press from Capilano College, CBC Radio-Canada, and other groups." Tom Harrison, The Province, July 28/2008I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)
