Tess Leblanc

Born in Moncton New Brunswick to a family where music was a way of life, Tess LeBlanc began singing alongside her musically talented father and sisters. The LeBlanc home regularly resounded with bagpipe and fiddle tunes, classical music and folk songs and as her interest in music grew, Tess went on to join several of Moncton’s renown Acadian choirs. Tess’ interest in step-dancing and Gaelic singing led her to attend Saint Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia where took Celtic Studies. This was followed by a program in Ethnology at Laval University in Québec City, the place she now calls home.

Tess’ remarkable voice, terrific stage presence and personal charm have captivated audiences at performances Canada, the United States and France. In concert, Tess brings a fresh, interesting approach to a repertoire of traditional Acadian, Celtic and Québécois songs. Her shows are a joyfully, well balanced mix of call and response songs, haunting ballads and roof rousing rhythms, the pace quickened by her bodhrán playing or lively step-dancing- another form of percussion at which she excels; the rhythmic influence of years as a step dancer are clearly felt in her vocal performances. Backing Tess on vocals, guitar and feet is Paul Marchand and on vocals and bass, Daniel Marcoux.

Her first self-titled album, Tess, released in 1998, features as highly personal collection of songs that beautifully illustrate her Maritime roots and Irish, Scottish and Acadian heritage. A host of veteran traditional musicians join her on this first release.

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