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, R&B, and traditional Acadian songs over 400 years old, Richard’s music provides an eclectic and captivating selection.
"In a warm and intimate performance, Michelle Richard captivated the audience with her bilingual repertoire. People sang and danced along to many of her songs.” Johanne Dumas, Société Francophone de Maillardville
"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 2008
Fresh from Chant Ouest, where she represented BC at a francophone singer/songwriter showcase event in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and the Rolling Stock Prairie Theatre Tour as a singer/actor with Theatre In the Raw, Michelle has just released her first, self-produced album, Michelle A. Richard. This bilingual blend of jazz, blues and traditional songs in French and English represents a return to her roots. In November, one of her songs, Je Pense A Toi, was chosen by Music BC for representation on their Japan Trade Mission 2008. This song was co-written with Lawrie Koyle. Here is more feedback on Michelle's album:"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“Her voice, as deep and dark as chocolate, bends notes with just a soupcon of vibrato and her originals, which include "Ces Blues Dans La Nuit", and two jazz sambas, all with French lyrics, show that she has an instinctive flair for what it takes to write a good jazz piece.” Diane Laloge, Wax Poetic, CFRO 102.7FMMichelle has a Diploma in Contemporary Voice from Vancouver Community College. Her influences include Billie Holiday, Edith Butler, Sarah Vaughan, Madeleine Peyroux, and Edith Piaf. In February of this year, she co-starred in a musical theatre play called “Condemned” to help raise awareness about homelessness. She was emcee and R&B vocalist for East Vancouver’s first Fearless Festival in 2007, and in 2008 was the Festival’s artistic co-ordinator.
She has also appeared on CBC Radio-Canada, CBC TV, CBC Radio One Winnipeg, Shaw TV, Fearless TV, CFRO 102.7FM and CJSF 90.1FM, Festival D'Eté, Vancouver City Hall, In the Heart of the City Fetival, Société Maillardville, St. Andrew's Wesley Church, The Performing Arts Lodge Theatre, the Black History Month Festival, the Globe Theatre (Regina), the Colin Jackson Studio (Winnipeg), Ragpickers Anti-Fashion Emporium (Winnipeg), the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company (Saskatoon), Northern Light Theatre (Edmonton), Motel Theatre (Calgary), and the Mae Wilson Theatre (Moose Jaw).
Michelle can perform a solely French, English, or bilingual program, as a duo, trio, quartet or larger group."Michelle puts so much heart and feeling into her music that it is hard not to get choked up sometimes. She is such a powerhouse.” Steve Duncan, The Drive Is Alive
"Another beautiful jazz voice from Western Canada. I hope that this is the beginning of a long musical career. 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
Photo by Clarence Abrahams
