As early as 1974 Guy Bélanger's musical career was heading towards traditional Southern blues. Armed with his harmonica belt, he made friends with fellow Quebec bluesman Bob Walsh who initiated him to the roots of blues and immersed him in the thriving music scene in Quebec City.
Over the next few years he would soak up the influences of such blues greats as Muddy Waters, Koko Taylor, Big Mama Thornton, James Cotton and eastern Canada's own Dutch Mason. All of these various influences served to enlarge Guy's musical horizons.
He joined forces with Bob Walsh in 1987 playing many live shows and touring Switzerland, France, Canada and Quebec at the Montreal International Jazz Festival for 12 different editions.
In 1995, the popular Quebecois group Les Colocs invited him to record on their album "Atrocetomique". Collaboration with more than 60 Quebec and French artists soon followed. He also participated on 3 projects (Nuba, Wintuk and Viva Elvis!) for Cirque Du Soleil.
Guy hooked up with guitarist Claude Fradette in 2003 to record the soundtrack for the film "Gas Bar Blues" which won a Jutra for Best Film Score and the Lys Blues for Album of the Year. Guy and Claude are the team behind the music of the Louis Bélanger film "The Timekeeper" (2009) as well as numerous television scores since then. Guy was awarded a second Jutra in collaboration with composer Benoit Charest for Best Musical Score in Louis Bélanger's 2011 film "Route 132".
The first album released under his own stewardship received wide critical acclaim in 2008. This was followed by his second album "Crossroads" in 2010, "Dusty Trails" (2012) and now by his latest release BLUES TURN, october 2014!.
Winner of the "Harmonica Player of the Year 2014" at the prestigious Maple Blues Awards in Toronto, finalist at the International Blues Challenge's 2015 in Memphis (Best Self-Produced CD competition) for BLUES TURN, to date, Guy Bélanger has been awarded with 14 Lys Blues trophys. Guy is forging ahead! Join him on his musical adventures.
Bonne Route!
