Group: Blackberry Winter Genre: Jazz, Pop and Adult Contemporary Performers: Marie Claude Bourque - Vocals, piano, arranger, composer Carl Schultz - Piano, vocals, producer, arranger, composer Background Marie and Carl first collaborated in 1995 on a collection of original songs and arrangements and then later in 2003 when they performed concerts produced at the NAC and Town Hall. They share the love of a well crafted songs by greats like Michel Legrand, Joni Mitchell, Stephen Sondheim and George Gershwin. Their current répertoire has been chosen from a combined pool of over 300 beautifully crafted arrangements. It is obvious that they have 'chemistry' when they play together which lends sub-text and depth to a fluid and spontaneous delivery that only seasoned pros can achieve. Marie's performance is captivating. Her technical command of a song never gets in the way of a truly emotive delivery. Her vocals soar over a tonal wave propelled by Carl's inventive and intuitive piano style. In other songs Marie inhabits the song's character and dialogs with Carl on the piano. Here you will find two true masters of their craft creating music straight from the heart. Pure enjoyment! Short bios MARIE CLAUDE BOURQUE - Vocals, piano, cello, guitar, arranger, composer Marie graduated university with a degree in Music and a concentration in Communications from Carleton University in 1985 after having completed her studies in music at l'École de musique Vincent D'Indy. She also studied Pedagogy at University of Ottawa in 2010. Her stage career includes the roles of Eponine and Cossette in the Les Misérables (1991-1992, Théâtre St.Denis, Montreal, Canadian bilingual touring company), Dreamland (NAC 1992), Industrial tours, Artists for Literacy, Cool Winter Jazz and Chansons Françaises (NAC 2005). Marie has performed as a solo vocalist and pianist in many venues including the Four Seasons, Ottawa Congress Centre, and was the house pianist/vocalist at The Westin in 1994. CARL SCHULTZ - Piano, vocals, producer, composer, arranger Carl has enjoyed a varied and rich music career beginning when his parents made music a vital part of his young life. After attending private lessons on piano, accordion and saxophone Carl attended Carleton University in 1977 to study music composition and mass communications. He performed in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes from 1975 to 1982 as a member of various bands including The Cooper Brothers. In 1978 he opened the famous Double Helix Recording Studios/Rotters Club as recording engineer, producer, composer and studio session musician (piano, Hammond organ, accordion, saxophone and synthesizer). His enjoyment and enthusiasm for the study, performance and production of many types of music continues to this day. Carl started composing and producing music for film and television in 1978 when he was offered an apprenticeship as soundtrack producer for the Canadian film company Crawley Films. He went on to compose and produce music for Crawley Films, The National Film Board of Canada as well as television and the stage. He has also been commissioned fourteen times to compose and produce music scores for dance from the Theatre Ballet Of Canada, The Ottawa Ballet, Carmen Sendra Ballet Of Spain, The Jorgan Ballet and other dancers and companies.