François Aubin | Jazz Pianist & Composer

About François Aubin

François began piano lessons at six but soon transitioned to playing by ear, inspired by his father’s performances of Boogie Woogie, blues, and popular tunes. At seven, after his parents returned from England with Beatles cassettes, he became captivated by their music and took up the guitar. His musical horizons expanded to classical guitar, mastering works by Bach and Villa-Lobos. In the 1970s, he delved into progressive rock, influenced by bands like King Crimson and Pink Floyd. He later developed an interest in 20th-century composers such as Stockhausen, but jazz became his true passion after being introduced to Charles Mingus. By 14, François was playing jazz piano, heavily influenced by Oscar Peterson. In the 1980s, François was mentored by bassist Skip Bey in Montreal, which led to trips to New York, where he connected with jazz legends like Dizzy Gillespie. In 1988, François founded the Hiroshima Orchestra, featuring musicians like Yanick Rieu and Michel Rate, and performed at the Montreal International Jazz Festival. In 2011, François released a CD, collaborating with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Lewis Nash. This project showcased François' deep connection to the jazz tradition, blending his style with the timeless rhythms and harmonies of modern jazz. François is not only a jazz pianist but also deeply involved in cognitive engineering research. Learn more about François Aubin's cognitive engineering research here. François remains excited about sharing new musical projects with the public.