A native of Quebec, Canada, jazz pianist Chantale Gagné began studying music at the age of 8. For more than 7 years, the organ was her primary instrument. At 15 however, the piano became Chantales true passion.From 1997 to 1999, she studied jazz piano with James Gelfand at College Marie-Victorin in Montreal, followed by 4 years at McGill University where she received her degree in Jazz Piano Performance. Jan Jarczyk, Jeff Johnston, Andre White and Rémi Bolduc are among her most influential teachers.In 2005, Chantale met famous pianist Kenny Barron and although she studied with him for a short period of time, this encounter proved to be so inspiring to Chantale both as a pianist and composer that she realised jazz had become her deepest calling.For the past few years, Chantale has been busy performing in Canada, U.S. and Europe from piano solo to big bands to smaller ensembles.Her newly released, self-produced album Silent Strength recorded with Peter Washington on bass and Lewis Nash on drums, has been met with great reviews and features many of her original compositions.The music of Chantale Gagné is played on radio in the following countries further to the media attention which she received at the release of Silent Strength: Australia, Argentina, Colombia, Greece, New Zealand, Poland, Byelorussia, Canada, the United States, Netherlands, the Scotland, England, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia.The American Jazz Magazine, Jazz Times, and the German Magazine Jazz Podium have as well reviewed her album in March 2009.In October, 2008, she received from Radio-Canada, the distinction Révélation Radio-Canada Musique 2008-09. This recognition allows her to benefit from a privileged support and from a particular visibility on all the platforms of the public diffuser, for period 2008-2009. On March 11th, 2009, she was moreover invited to perform along with Peter Washington and Lewis Nash, during the launch of Espace Jazz.Weblinks:www.chantalegagne.com