Soundtrack to the Revolution Free Jazz and Leftist Nationalism in Quebec 1967-1975

In telling the story of Jazz Libre, Soundtrack to the Revolution reveals the meaningful role that the art of spontaneity played in the turbulent 1960s and 1970s. It traces the path taken by Jazz Libre— a collective of improvisers who embraced free jazz to help legitimize the efforts of the Quebec left to situate its nationalist aspirations within global anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist movements. Charbonneau and his bandmates strongly believed that collective improvisation could inspire resistance and hope by fostering communication, collaboration, initiative, trust, and self-criticism— but also a disposition to take risks as well as a willingness to think creatively and make decisions on the spur of the moment. Jazz Libre’ s fate was, as a result, irreversibly tied to the leftist independence movement— a hodgepodge of groups in search of possible futures during these pivotal decades.

Eric Fillion is director of the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation and assistant professor at the School of Languages and Literatures at the University of Guelph. He is the author of Distant Stage: Quebec, Brazil, and the Making of Canada’ s Cultural Diplomacy. With Sean Mills and Dé siré e Rochat, he co-edited Statesman of the Piano: Jazz, Race, and History in the Life of Lou Hooper He lives in Guelph, Ontario.

David Homel is a prize- winning writer and translator. He has worked in documentary film, print and radio journalism. He lives in Montreal.