Lorraine Desmarais Trio plays Bill Evans

Internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Lorraine Desmarais brings her trio to Medicine Hat with a heartfelt tribute to one of jazz’s most influential voices: Bill Evans. Known for his poetic touch and harmonic innovations, Evans forever changed the landscape of jazz piano. With influences drawn from French impressionists like Debussy, Fauré, and Ravel, his music remains deeply lyrical, introspective, and rich with emotional nuance.

This will be a unique performance, with the audience seated on the Esplanade’s main stage alongside the band— creating an intimate and immersive listening experience that brings performers and listeners together in a shared musical space.

The Lorraine Desmarais Trio brings these timeless compositions to life with creativity, virtuosity, and profound musicality—a celebration of Evans’ legacy through the lens of three master musicians.

Lorraine Desmarais is a celebrated figure in Canadian jazz, known for her work as a pianist, composer, and bandleader. She has performed extensively across Canada, the U.S., Europe, Mexico, China, Indonesia, and Africa, both as a soloist and with her trio and big band. Her twelve albums of original music include three FÉLIX Award winners: Trio Lorraine Desmarais, Jazz pour Noël, and Big Band. In 2011, she received a Doctorat Honoris Causa from the Université du Québec à Montréal, and in 2013, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada.

Over the years, Lorraine has performed alongside international jazz luminaries including Chick Corea, Oliver Jones, Joe Lovano, Jacky Terrasson, Paquito D’Rivera, and the Brubeck Brothers.

Joining Lorraine will be Alec Walkington on double bass and Camil Bélisle on drums