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Jean-François Guay, a renowned Canadian saxophonist, studied at McGill University, Université Laval, and the Conservatoire National de Région de Bordeaux, where he trained under distinguished masters such as Jean-Marie Londeix, Rémi Ménard, and Abe Kestenberg.
A sought-after performer and respected pedagogue, he has enriched the saxophone repertoire through collaborations with leading composers, including Christian Lauba, François Rossé, Éric Champagne, Denis Dion, Robert Lemay, Bruce Mather, Laurie Radford, and Alain Perron.
Several works have been dedicated to him, confirming his key role in contemporary creation.
Jean-François Guay has recorded five albums on Fidelio Audio, Oratorio, and SNE, all highly praised by Canadian critics.
His career has taken him to major national and international stages:
➤ Concerts and masterclasses in Mexico, Brazil, Canada, USA, France, Italy, Belgium, Slovenia, and Thailand
➤ Radio appearances on Radio-Canada in programs devoted to contemporary music
➤ Numerous collaborations with the Nelligan Saxophone Quartet, in concerts and recordings
In 2000, he presided over the 12th World Saxophone Congress in Montreal and served on the International Saxophone Committee (CIS), reinforcing his influence on the global saxophone scene.
A Performer Serving the Great Works
While a specialist in contemporary music, Jean-François Guay also performs the great classical repertoire.
He regularly collaborates with prestigious orchestras:
➤ Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (OSM)
➤ Orchestre Métropolitain
➤ National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa)
➤ Orchestre Symphonique de Longueuil
He has performed under the baton of renowned conductors such as Kent Nagano, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Jacques Lacombe, and Pinchas Zukerman.
Pedagogue and Ambassador
Awarded prestigious grants — Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec, Canada Council for the Arts, Musicaction Fund, and SOCAN Foundation — Jean-François Guay stands among the most influential classical saxophonists in Canada.
He is currently:
➤ Saxophone professor at Cégep Marie-Victorin and Université de Montréal
➤ Founder and co-director of the International Saxophone Workshop at Cégep Marie-Victorin, alongside Jean-Michel Goury
➤ Founding president of the Quebec Saxophonists Association
After seven years teaching saxophone and chamber music at Domaine Forget Music Camp, he continues his pedagogical commitment nationally and internationally.
For more than 15 years, he has collaborated with Yamaha Canada as an artist/clinician and is now a D’Addario Artist.
Testimonials
“Jean-François Guay is a remarkable saxophonist, capable of meeting the highest musical demands thanks to his extreme musicality and exemplary determination. He is an authentic artist, deeply motivated…” — Jean-Marie Londeix, international soloist
“Guay proves that he is one of Canada’s finest performers of contemporary music.” — Whole Note Magazine
