Agharta

This light jazz album, filled with joy and promise, is the first album of the group Agharta. Agharta is the name of an imaginary (although real) kingdom situated at the "centre" of the world.

Agharta was formed around 1978 by keyboardist/producer Jacques Mignault and sax and flute player Pierre Veniot, who had played together in Main Street Funk at Montreal's very first Jazz Festival by Jean Jacques Jourdain. They were joined by Normand Trudel on bass and Normand Cataford on drums, and produced a self titled album, released on Mignault’s own label, in 1981.

The music is light progressive jazz/fusion with occasional international flavorings à la Weather Report, and is very well composed. This style of music became prevalent in Quebec during the early 80’s and as in other countries, and was a natural evolution from the 1970’s for many musicians with progressive jazz/rock tendencies.

The album also features a guest appearance by percussionist Michel Séguin (ex-Toubabou). That same year they played the Montreal International Jazz Festival, which helped to fuel Quebec’s local jazz scene for years to come.

Agharta continued giving performances until 1984. During this period Agharta also recorded some unreleased material with Séguin, with Mignault and Veniot performing often with the renowned percussionist.



Normand Cataford: drums and percussions.
Jacques Mignault: keyboards.
Normand Trudel: electric bass.
Pierre Veniot: tenor and soprano saxophones, flutes, clarinet.
Michel Séguin: percussions on Big Sur, Chant des Iles, 6ième avenue and Esperanto.