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Toronto singer Michel Bérubé is releasing his first French language album Hymnes à l’amour, featuring the bonus track, Laisse-moi t’aimer/We’ll be together, a duet with Grammy winner and rock icon Chrissie Hynde. To promote HYMNES À L’AMOUR, Michel will be doing a four-city tour beginning on May 4 in Penetanguishene followed by performances in Waterloo on May 6 and London on May 10 with a final stop at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto on Thursday, May 24.

“An exceptional range and strong, flexible voice” – John Terauds, The Toronto Star

Hymnes à l’amour is a compilation of classic French songs Michel grew up listening to. From Edith Piaf to Jacques Brel to Luc Plamondon, Michel sings their greatest hits along with songs by Michel Legrand, Claude Dubois, Léo Ferré and Charles Trenet. The arrangements and orchestration weave a sweet mix of styles including bossa nova, jazz and pop, but it is Bérubé’s vocals that demonstrate a true gift of interpretation and the talent to move effortlessly among styles. An exceptional balladeer and song stylist, Michel is known for his smoldering tenor vocals and near perfect delivery. The songs on Michel’s new album reflect the range and talent of a truly exceptional singer.

Produced by Mark Lalama, Hymnes à l’amour features some of the country’s top musicians including Davide Direnzo on percussion; Orin Isaacs on bass guitar; Mark Lalama on piano, organ and accordion; Richard Moore on upright bass and bass guitar and Jamie Oakes on lead guitar and background vocals.

Originally from Ste-Louise (QC), Michel has spent the last ten years in Toronto recording and performing everywhere from The Top ‘o’ The Senator, to Casino Rama to the prestigious Town Hall in New York City. Michel’s voice has been called “warm as a fireside” and also powerful enough to be “spine tingling”. In 2005, Grammy and Oscar award winning recording artist Jennifer Warnes joined Michel on a duet of “The Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth” saying “when I heard his voice, his fine, beautiful, gorgeous voice, that was it… he’s great”. That duet became the centerpiece of his CD This Christmas. Larry LeBlanc, veteran music journalist with Billboard Magazine commented on Michel’s music saying, “Michel sounds magnificent… THIS IS JUST BRILLIANT.” Michel has shared the bill with the likes of Jackie Richardson, Amy Sky, Steven Page and Kenny Rogers to name a few.

For tour dates and venues or to listen to tracks from Hymnes à l’amour please visit www.michelberube.com.

WHO: Michel Bérubé
WHAT: CD release concert Hymnes à l’amour
WHEN: Thursday, May 24 at 8:00 PM
WHERE: Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W., Toronto
TICKETS: $26.50
BOX OFFICE: 416-872-4255

Toronto singer Michel Bérubé releases first French language album
Hymnes à l’amour