- J.F. Brissette
- Canada
- Electric bass
- “O"
When did you join Cirque du Soleil?
I joined Cirque in July of 1993.
What was your first contact with the organization? What was the context?
In 1992 I had been recommended by a couple of musicians from Saltimbanco and got to meet with René Dupéré before a performance in Costa Mesa, California. René was looking for musicians for the upcoming creation of Mystère.
What kind of an experience was your audition and/or training and/or workshop?
I basically recorded myself playing basic grooves in various styles and sent it to Montreal. I guess they liked what they heard because a letter of agreement soon followed.
How did your integration go in Montreal and in the show?
It was a very stimulating and creative period, learning new music and playing with new people. We spent close to 2 months in Montreal learning songs in preparation for the creation process, which began later that year in Las Vegas (September 1993).
How does being part of a Cirque du Soleil show allow you to express yourself in your discipline?
During creation especially, you can contribute to your parts by coming up with ideas. As the music grows and establishes itself as an integral part of the show each musician ends up putting his or her signature on the music. It’s a very natural process.
What do you like the most about being part of Cirque du Soleil?
The impact we have on people’s lives. They come to see our show and usually come out completely amazed and often times inspired by what they saw and heard. I love hearing the laughter, the applause and the “oohs & aahs" of the audience during a performance. They carry a lot of positive energy.
How did the transition go between your former career to your current Cirque career?
It was a fairly smooth process, actually. Before joining Cirque I had been freelancing for over 10 years so I was used to playing with various types of musicians. The only real change for me was being part of one band, growing with them and the music, which I enjoyed very much.
Why would you recommend an artist to join Cirque?
It is a truly unique experience at so many levels. You get to interact with people from all over the world, learning a lot about yourself in the process.
How is life in Las Vegas?
I adapted quite well to life in Las Vegas, the city has grown a lot since I moved here in 1993. There is much more to life in Vegas than The Strip.