Obituaries: Montreal Jazz Saxophonist Mario Allard, Film and Music Visionary David Lynch

Mario Allard, a highly-regarded Montreal jazz saxophonist, composer and teacher, died on Jan. 12, after an accidental fall. He was 42 years old.

In 1999, Allard graduated from the Massey-Vanier school music program, and returned there as a specialist teacher in 2006, continuing in that role for nearly two decades.

He performed extensively in clubs on the city’s jazz scene since 2001, releasing his self-titled debut album independently in 2007. His band performed in concert, among others, at the 2007 Off Festival de Jazz in Rimouski, at the FIJM in 2008 and at the National Jazz Awards in Toronto in 2009 and the unveiling of the web documentary Jazz Petite Bourgogne with Oliver Jones in 2013. His group won the Galaxie Prize of the CBC / Radio-Canada / CBC at the 2008 Montreal International Jazz Festival.

Allard was a versatile saxophonist who could excel in both jazz and pop idioms. He worked with such major artists in Quebec as Robert Charlebois, Alain Bedard and Rafael & Energía Dominicana and was a member of the popular group Papagroove.

He toured in Quebec, Canada, China and Europe with different bands such as The Chango Family, Coyote Bill and AUGUSTE Quartet. He also shared the stage and recorded albums with artists including Charlebois, Yann Perreau, Antoine Corriveau, Renee Wilkin, Greenland and The Brass Band Jarry. He also performed on TV shows including La voix and Le Beau Dimanche.

In 2010, he took classes with the renowned American saxophonist Donny McCaslin (David Bowie) and, in 2016, Allard graduated from McGill University with a Masters in Jazz Performance.

McCaslin told Global News that "He was just a kind person and somebody who worked really hard. People loved him so much in the music community, not only for his great musicianship, but for who he was as a person. A really, really thoughtful person.”

Allard recorded extensively with Montreal bassist, composer and band leader and head of top independent jazz label Effendi Records, Alain Bédard. The Bédard-led AUGUSTE Quartet's latest album, Particules Sonores, released in Nov. 2024, featured Allard playing soprano, tenor, alto and baritone saxophone, confirming his versatility, and he was also featured on the 2020 AUGUSTE Quartet album, Exalta calma, contributing compositions written with Félix Stüssi, Alain Bédard and Michel Lambert.

Bédard and Allard also collaborated within the group Jazzlab Orchestra, an acclaimed orchestral jazz ensemble now celebrating its 20th anniversary, and which has a discography of eight albums. Another recent album project featuring Allard was Y'annonce beau!, by Papagroove, released in Nov. 2023. He played baritone, soprano and alto saxophone in the octet, whose sound has been dubbed high-energy afro-funk fusion.

Over a 20-year career, Papagroove has won a GAMIQ Award, earned an ADISQ nomination and become a festival favourite across Canada.

Allard also often played with Quebec blues-rock star Steve Hill, who told Le Devoir that "He's a very versatile guy, in demand in many styles of music. He was a big-hearted human being, super friendly, super positive."

As word of Allard's passing spread, effusive and eloquent tributes were offered by his musical collaborators and friends. A crucial figure in Allard's career, Alain Bédard posted this on Facebook: "Mario was a musician loved by the entire community. Everyone has been paying tribute to him lately following his death. This is really beautiful...

"He was very invested in music in Montreal. He was a gifted teacher, dedicated, a good communicator, someone who was able to convey his ideas well and also understand others well. He was extremely generous. He was a gatherer, someone who had the ability to adapt to put the other to the forefront and act; no messing around...He was a meticulous man with a big heart and great rigor.

"When it came to rehearsal, he was always ready. I've rarely heard him be wrong. He had hell of a technique, impeccable reading and an extraordinary musical ear. He had an amazing love of music, friends and a lot of hockey. He followed Canadiens games, even on tour, as much as his daily stock exchange performances.

"We've done quite a bit of work overseas in the last 8 or 9 years. Always ready, he was proud to say he was a French-speaking Quebecer. He was a patriot at heart. He was sincere, frank - he had no detour with him. We had fun together on crazy adventures and great moments of music both on the record and on the stage.

"Mario regularly advised and helped me with my projects and also with social media and Doodles to organize activities. I will always be grateful to you my niom – for your presence, humor, talent, support and friendship. I will keep going the best I can with you in my heart."

Fellow Montreal jazz saxophonist Ben Deschamps posted this tribute on Facebook: "Mario Allard, I'm looking for words...You were a friend, a confidant, a father, a brother, a son, a musician, an inspiration, a leader, a gatherer, a joy of living, happiness on two legs, always there, always in a good mood, hilarious, good living, you spoke fast and loud, you had an infectious laugh. We had such a laugh together! You were a role model for me both as a musician but especially as a person, as a father. Sending all my sympathy to Katherine, Edmond, all family and friends. You were part of my everyday life, I feel a huge emptiness. I love you, I'm going to miss you, a lot, we all do xxx"

Another musical comrade and collaborator, Sly Furino, offered this on Facebook: "It is with great sadness I have to say goodbye to an amazing musician and friend. Mario Allard performed with the SophistOccasion Showband for well over 20 years. He was the primary saxophonist of the band. Mario, the show must go on but we can assure you that we will always hear the sweet sounds of your saxophone and your wonderful laugh in every song we perform. Rest in peace our dear friend."

Montreal-based music industry veteran Glenda Rush sent Billboard Canada this tribute: "Among the so many of our great musicians and music community here in Montreal, I preciously knew Mario as he performed with Dominican- Canadian artist Rafael & Energía Dominicana’s group. We were honoured with Mario‘s enormous talent and his beautiful soul. This is just heartbreaking for all of us."

On Facebook, musician Alex Mallett stated that "I think every musician in Montreal is in shock with his passing. There are those whose energy is so contagious that they will forever be more-than alive in our memories. Mario Allard was my friend, colleague, and bandleader when I was living in Montréal. I had a blast playing with his quartet around 2006 and that had a big impact on my life in Montréal, as it forced me to listen in French, hang in French, and get outside of my English bubble. He was a blast – always with a laugh and story and conversation (and a hearty WTF about the state of world politics). His musical and personal joy were contagious."

Multi-instrumentalist Elyze Venne-Deshaies told Radio Canada that she considers Mario Allard her mentor. "He will always remain etched in my memories as a generous, kind saxophone teacher and a human of unparalleled quality. To this day, I play his old Conn tenor sax and the mouthpiece he chose [...] He leaves a huge void around him and the Montreal music community will not be the same without him."

International

David Lynch, the beloved filmmaker and director known for his dark, surrealist vision in the television classic Twin Peaks, as well as films including Mulholland Drive, Eraserhead and Blue Velvet, has died, at age 78.

Lynch’s family announced the news of his passing via a Facebook post on Thursday (Jan. 16). A cause of death has not been announced, but last year Lynch’s death revealed that he was housebound over fears he’ll contract COVID-19 after being diagnosed with emphysema from many years of smoking.

ABillboard obituary reports that "a Missoula, Montana, native, Lynch was a one-time painter who enrolled in the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts before he shifted his focus to making films. His breakthrough came via 1977’s Eraserhead, which became popular in the midnight movie underground circuit.

"Among his many notable films are 2001’s Mulholland Drive starring Justin Theroux, Naomi Watts and Laura Harring and 1986’s Blue Velvet, starring Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper and Laura Dern.

"In television, he was best known as the visionary behind the mystery drama series Twin Peaks, which ran for two seasons from 1990 to 1991 and returned for a third season in 2017. The series won three Golden Globes and two Emmys, as well as a 1991 Grammy for best pop instrumental performance for the Angelo Badalamenti-composed theme music."

Lynch had a major impact on the world of music, composing and recording music and directing music videos. His projects also made appearances on the Billboard charts, with Twin Peaks: Music From The Second Season And More claiming the No. 17 spot on the April 27, 2019-dated Soundtracks chart. That same week, it peaked at No. 68 on the Top Album Sales tally. His third studio album, The Big Dream, peaked at No. 40 on Independent Albums and No. 167 on Top Current Album Sales in 2013.

Lynch-directed videos included Nine Inch Nails’ 2013 “Came Back Haunted” clip as well as Moby’s 2009 “Shot in the Back Of The Head" and work with Donovan and the German nu-metal band Rammstein.

In a feature entitled "Remembering David Lynch’s musical legacy: 10 songs to go beyond the films," Associated Press explores some of his musical accomplishments and noted that "The loss of singular talent and visionary filmmaker David Lynch is not only felt in the world of cinema, but music, where he had inextricable influence on multiple generations of artists."

Amongst the songs singled out are "In Heaven," from the Lynch-composed soundtrack to Eraserhead, Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" (it only became a hit after featuring in Lynch's film Wild At Heart) and Angelo Badalamenti’s theme for Twin Peaks that became a hit for Julee Cruise, as the song "Falling." Lynch collaborations with Lykke Li, Flying Lotus and Chrystabell are also celebrated.

Jackie (Jacquelyn Beth) Farry, a music industry veteran who tour managed for Elliot Smith and the Lemonheads in the 1990s and was Frances Bean Cobain’s first nanny, died on Jan. 12, of complications from lung disease. She was 58.

In its obituary, Billboardreports that "Farry’s career began in the 1980s when she served as a receptionist at beloved New York indie labelHomestead Records. She moved on to gigs at Atlantic Records (1988-1989), Epic Records (1991-1992), where she worked in radio promotion, often with hard rock and metal bands.

"She worked with Nirvana during the band’s heyday, serving as nanny to singer Kurt Cobain and wife Courtney Love’s daughter, Frances Bean, until Cobain’s death in 1994. Farry also hosted the short-lived MTV series Superock, which launched in 1995. Later in the decade, Farry was a tour manager for a number of indie rock acts, including Stereolab, the Lemonheads, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Quasi and others."

When Farry was diagnosed with cancer in 2003, her many friends stood by her, organizing a series of “f–k cancer” benefit shows featuring bands including the Breeders, TV on the Radio and Guided By Voices. In honour of her longtime support of pit bull rescue, donations in Farry’s honor can be made to her charity of choice, LovePaws.

P. Fluid (born Peter Forrest), the original vocalist in popular American rock band 24-7 Spyz, died on Jan. 12, at age 64. He was found beaten to death in the back of an ambulette he had been driving in the Bronx. An arrest has been made.

In a Facebook post, 24-7 Spyz guitarist and co-founder Jimi Hazell stated that "I am stunned, saddened and angry that a senseless and selfish act committed by a so called human being took the life of my brother and former band mate, Peter 'P. Fluid' Forrest."

24-7 Spyz formed in South Bronx, New York City, in 1986. They quickly made a mark with an eclectic sound drawing upon metal, hardcore punk, hip-hop, funk and soul. As an Black rock band, they often drew comparisons to Bad Brains, Living Colour and Fishbone.

In its obituary, Rolling Stone writes that "Peter Forrest, known onstage as P. Fluid, was a key player in the Black rock movement of the Eighties."

In his post on Forrest's death, Jimi Hazell declared that "A band like ours that was born, raised, nurtured and created in the South Bronx literally had journalists scratching their heads in astonishment because [original members] Rick, Anthony & I were real musicians with complete mastery of our instruments and Peter was singer with a unique vocal style and a charismatic, dynamic and somewhat maniacal stage presence!"

The group's 1989 debut album, the genre-hopping Harder Than You, became an underground hit, selling nearly 300,000 copies, and a second album, 1990's Gumbo Millennium, had a similar commercial result.

A slot opening for Jane's Addiction on their Ritual De Lo Habitual tour brought a new audience, but Forrest announced his departure during the band's live performance on the final date of that tour. Hazell recalls that "the relationship between Peter and I would become somewhat contentious at the beginning of 1990 and by the end of the year, he'd leave the band."

Forrest then started a new band named The P. Fluid Foundation. That group performed in and around New York City but never released an album. Forrest rejoined 24-7 Spyz for a short period in the '90s, then, now using the name Forrest Thinner, formed BlkVampires. That group released their debut, self-titled album in 2005.

In 2010, the band released a follow-up ten-song EP/DVD titled Blkcula, then a five-song EP, titled The Devil's Music, followed in 2012. Also in 2012, Thinner was the creative director and publisher of a book titled The HarlequinX. The book, based on a short film and characters created by Thinner, was written by CJ Cassidy and edited by Hector Valle.

In 2015, the group released two tracks, then, in 2019, Thinner announced that BlkVampires had broken up and that he was embarking on his first solo project, BlkVampiresX. In 2022, they released the single "Bike Ride in Manhattan/La Flaca Negra."

P. Fluid and the P. Fluid Foundation performed in clubs in and around New York City but never released an album. Shortly after leaving 24-7 Spyz for the second time, P. Fluid, now using the name Forrest Thinner, formed BlkVampires. The band released a five-song EP titled The Collector's Item through the Catch A Fire website.

In 2019, Thinner announced that BlkVampires had broken up and that he was embarking on his first solo project, BlkVampiresX. In 2022, BlkVampiresX released the single "Bike Ride in Manhattan/La Flaca Negra", produced by Swedish guitarist Apollo Kris.