Over the past fifteen years, Isabelle Boulay's rich, resonant and raspy voice has earned her a top spot in the pantheon of la chanson francophone. Along the way, the soulful singer has sold over two million albums, has performed across Canada and Europe, and has won her way into the hearts of fans worldwide.
Born in Gaspésie, Quebec, and profoundly influenced by the region's breathtaking natural beauty, Isabelle Boulay has remained true to her roots. As a child, she listened to her parents' recordings of Gilles Vigneault and Félix Leclerc while dreaming of her own future on stage. By the end of the 1980s, Isabelle was an arts student in Quebec City where she explored her passion for prose and for breathing life into poetry.
Performing as often as she could, Isabelle made a splash at the 1990 Festival de la chanson de Petite-Vallée (her friends had secretly signed her up). Bolstered by her top spot finish, Isabelle went on to claim the best performer title the following year at the prestigious Festival de la chanson de Granby for her renditions of Jacques Brel's Amsterdam, and Naufrage (by Dan Bigras and Gilbert Langevin).
In 1995, Isabelle landed her big break after a chance encounter with renowned Quebec lyricist, Luc Plamondon. Cast as the mythical Marie-Jeanne in the musical Starmania, Isabelle brought audiences to their feet night after night, for more than 350 performances. Isabelle's career was quickly gaining momentum.
In 1996, she provided the singing voice for legendary Quebec songstress Alys Robi in the TV series of the same name. And later that year, Isabelle's first album, Fallait pas (lyrics and music by Daniel DeShaime), confirmed the artist's growing popularity. Featuring her first hit song, Et mon coeur en prend plein la gueule, the album sold over 45,000 copies.
In 1998, Isabelle released her critically acclaimed second album, États d'amour. Featuring music by Quebec's best-loved singer-songwriters (including Luc Plamondon, Richard Cocciante, Zachary Richard, Zazie, France D'Amour and Roger Tabra), the album garnered rave reviews and sales of nearly half a million units.
In 1999, Isabelle's achievements and ever-increasing popularity were recognized with a Félix (Quebec's answer to the Grammy Awards) for best female performer — an honour she received for five consecutive years!
Isabelle's third album, Scènes d'amour, was also awarded the Félix for most popular album of the year. Featuring duets with some of her favorite artists (including Serge Lama, Michel Rivard, Eric Lapointe, Laurence Jalbert, Jim Corcoran, Dan Bigras and Claude Léveillée), the album was recorded live at Montreal's FrancoFolies Festival in the summer of 1999.
After a triumphant debut performance with Serge Lama at Paris' Olympia theatre in the Spring of 1999, Isabelle sealed her reputation as Europe's newest emerging legend. She opened for Francis Cabrel during his European tour. And in May of the same year, she joined French singing star Patrick Bruel on the mammoth stage of Paris's Zenith.
Beyond sharing the spotlight, the two artists also struck up a friendship that led to Bruel's collaboration (along with Serge Lama, Didier Golemanas, Zachary Richard, Louise Forestier, Jean Fauque, Richard Cocciante and Daniel Seff) on Isabelle's fourth album, Mieux qu'ici-bas.
Released in August 2000 and selling over one million copies, the album's resounding triumph was crowned by a series of solo concerts at the Olympia, a 150-show tour of Quebec and Europe, two Félix awards (best album and best live show) and two Victoires de la Musique (for best new artist and best new album) at France's annual music awards.
Released in 2002, Isabelle's first-ever compilation album, Ses plus belles histories, was immediately followed by Au moment d'être à vous, the artist's sixth CD. Recorded live with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra at Montreal's Place des Arts, the best-selling album set a new record for concert album sales in France.
Charmed by Isabelle's voice during a concert event at Paris' Olympia, French rock star Johnny Hallyday invited her to join him on his tour of France in 2003. Over the years, Isabelle has also sung with the likes of Serge Reggiani, Gilbert Bécaud, Eddy Mitchell and Henri Salvador
After many years of whirlwind successes, Isabelle took a break from the spotlight in 2003 to recharge her batteries and prepare for the release of her seventh album, Tout un jour, in 2004.
Her most intimate and ambitious album to date, Isabelle worked closely with renowned lyricists and composers (including Francis Cabrel, Zachary Richard, Daniel Bélanger, Louise Forestier, Pascal Obispo, Étienne Roda-Gil, Daniel Seff and Didier Golemanas) to produce fifteen songs that reflect her sensitivity, sensuality and new-found confidence. And that celebrate the circle of life.
In 2005, Isabelle was recognized twice by Félix. She received the award for best show of the year and another to underscore her staggering international success. The same year, she also hit the road with the 175-date Tout un jour tour of Quebec, Europe and Tunisia.
At the Francofolies Festival in 2006, Isabelle returned to her roots with a celebrated country music concert featuring the soundtrack of her childhood (with special guests Renée Martel, Paul Daraîche and Steven Faulkner).
And at the request of the legendary Charles Aznavour, Isabelle traveled to Armenia last October where she performed for 50,000 fans (along with Nana Mouskouri, Hélène Ségara and Michel Legrand).
Isabelle is currently in studio recording her highly anticipated next album. Due for release in 2007, it will be followed by a concert tour.
