He has the attitude, movements, voice and charm of the great American crooners; Frédérick De Grandpré takes us into the rich musical history of the 60s Stranger in the nightpresented at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal.
MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI
Frédérick De Grandpré, often known more for his work as an actor than as a cabaret singer, proves that he knows how to carry a 90-minute musical show on his shoulders without a break. Undoubtedly, it is his experience in music (he released two albums of jazz music, including Un Martini pour Noël in 2004) and in musical comedy (we recently saw him in the Quebec version of Bodyguard) that gives him this presence. Of course and her friendly side on stage.
In short, he wore sharp three-piece suits (one in burgundy velvet with a bow tie, one all black, always with polished shoes), which he sang to us from behind his retro microphone.
“We offer you a journey back in time to a really cool era of music: Las Vegas in the 60s,” said the artist, who was accompanied by an orchestra of 10 jazz and R&B musicians.
MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI
From Frank Sinatra to Dean Martin, including Michael Bublé, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin, the great soul and jazz hits played to the rhythm of the evening, causing excitement among couples who got up to dance, especially the title song “Stranger”. at night.
“Tonight you will fall in love, I promise you, the best is yet to come,” the artist said before delivering a beautiful rendition of the Frank Sinatra song “The Best Is Yet to Come.”
Amazing Wilkin
Since Frédérick De Grandpré likes to share the stage, he had the perfect idea to invite Renée Wilkin to sing several pieces with him throughout the evening.
“It's one of our most beautiful voices in Quebec,” he said as the singer – who we met at La Voix 2 in 2014 – sang Feeling Good by Michael Bublé. All with a voice and energy reminiscent of British singer Adele.
MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI
All duets, like all of the young artist's pieces, deserve to be cited, as each of their performances was masterful. Worth mentioning are the tracks “Unforgettable” by Nat Cole, “Hit The Road Jack” by Ray Charles, “Fever” by Peggy Lee and “New York, New York” by Sinatra, which the pair performed at the end of the show. And what about the moment Renée Wilkin sang “Think” by Aretha Franklin!
Frédérick De Grandpré was comical on “I Get a Kick Out of You,” seductive by climbing on the piano on “You Make Me Feel So Young,” and perfectly sung during this frankly pleasant souvenir evening that is the ball of holiday celebrations opened in a beautiful way.
– The show Stranger in the night by Frédérick De Grandpré continues on 22, 23, 28, 29 and 2023 at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal and on January 5 and 6, 2024 at the Théâtre Capitole de Québec.