Nicolas Caloia

Beyond possessing a natural talent as a bass and double-bass player, Nicolas is also a composer and improviser looking to find new sounds that vibrate in unusual ways. For many years, he has led and composed for two groups, the Ratchet Orchestra, an ensemble of 27 musicians dedicated to performing original music, and Tilting, a quartet with Jean Derome, Alex Grogg and Robert Kraft.

A long time member of Montreal’s avant-garde community, Nicolas Caloia has performed with local artists such as Malcolm Goldstein, Laurie Freedman, Danielle Roger, John Hewart, Rainer Wiens, Sam Shalabi and Michel F Côté, as well as internationally renowned artists like Joe McPhee, Joe Giardullo, Steve Lacy, Hassan Hakmoun and Tristan Honsinger. He toured in India this February with Catherine Potter, with whom he has performed with for 10 years. Since 1990, Nicolas has also played with several North African groups and artists such as Hassan elHadi, Cheb Dino, The Nomads, Timgad and Said Mesnaoui.

On the label Ambiances Magnétiques, Nicolas has released records with Jean Derome (Canot Camping), Lori Freedman, Danielle Palardy Roger, Joane Hétu (Ensemble SuperMusique, Canevas +) and Robert Marcel Lepage (La Machine à explorer le tempo). For the label NoType he has recorded Presence with drummer John Heward and guitarist Chris Burns.

Photos

Photo by Herb Greenslade

Photo by Herb Greenslade