Maneige

Maneige was a Québécois chamber-jazz-rock band that released the albums Maneige  and Les Porches on Harvest in 1975, followed by the 1977–79 Polydor titles Ni vent… Ni nouvelle, Libre service – Self Service, and Composite. Two further albums, Montréal 6 A.M. and Images, appeared on Intérim and Saisons during the early 1980s.

Members: Alain Bergeron (flute, saxophone, piano), Jérôme Langlois (piano, organ, clarinet, guitar, 1972-76), Gilles Schetagne (drums, percussion, synthesizer, 1972-79, 1981-83), Paul Picard (drums, percussion, 1972-?, 1975-81), Yves Léonard (bass), Vincent Langlois (piano, percussion), Denis Lapierre (guitar, synthesizer, 1975-?), Pierre Gauthier (drums, 1980-81), Claude Lemay (keyboards, 1981-83), Michel Le François (guitar, 1981-83)

Maneige formed in 1972 when reedist Alain Bergeron teamed with keyboardist Jérôme Langlois. They soon enlisted drummer Gilles Schetagne, bassist Yves Leonard, and percussionist Paul Picard. The original five-piece gigged locally circa 1973–74, opening for Soft Machine at CEGEP Maisonneuve (2/15/74) and Dutch classical-rockers Ekseption.

Picard departed after their initial live activity. Jérôme welcomed his brother, pianist/percussionist Vincent Langlois. Maneige became six with guitarist Denis Lapierre, who’d played with Patsy Gallant. Capitol signed the band to its Canadian Harvest division in late 1974.

Discography:

• Maneige (1975)
• Les porches (1975)
• Ni vent… Ni nouvelle (1977)
• Libre service – Self Service (1978)
• Composite (1979)
• Montréal, 6 A.M. (1981)
• Images (1983)

Sources:

• Discogs: Maneige