The Lost Fingers

Energy, swing, smiles, humor, musicality, virtuosity and brilliant costumes…
In 1928, following a fire in his trailer, Django Reinhardt , then aged 18, lost the use of two fingers. He then developed a unique method for playing the guitar, was inspired by jazz, and quickly became a source of inspiration.

In 2006 at the Quebec Conservatory, guitar virtuosos Byron Mikaloff (ex One Ton and Bunka Busta) and Christian Roberge met jazz double bassist Alex Morissette . For the humor of the music, they decide to unite their three voices and their multiple strings to pay homage to the 80s, as the great Master of gypsy jazz could have done.

Since then, the shows have followed one another, from the Grand Rire to the prestigious Festival des Guitares du Monde de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue , via the Montreal International Jazz Festival , every evening, Les Doigts Manquants de Django accompany Samantha Fox, AC/DC, Technotronic, Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Georges Michael, Celine Dion.

Success was not long in coming and after conquering Quebec with Lost in the 80’s which sold more than 200,000 copies, the group attacked Canada and Europe. At home, the group was nominated in several categories at the ADISQ gala in 2008 as well as at the Juno awards in 2009.

Subsequently, between two tours, the Lost Fingers released their second album entitled Rendez-vous Rose . This time, they revisit the greatest standards of French-speaking variety from the 80s, and give us offbeat covers in a gypsy jazz style of which only they have the secret. In addition, this opus is enriched with the voices of renowned guest artists such as Eric Lapointe, Michel Louvain, Plastic Bertrand, Martine St-Clair, Nanette Workman and Philippe Lafontaine. The Lost Fingers presented these arrangements during the opening show of the Quebec Summer Festival in front of 45,000 people .

Returning from Western Canada, the Canary Islands, Turkey, France, Lithuania, Ukraine, Germany, the United States and Colombia, the group offers La Marquise ! Hits from Stromae, Jean Leloup, Niagara, Desireless, Vanessa Paradis, Alain Bashung, Francis Cabrel and many others…in November 2010 the trio launched Gypsy Kameleon, an album of exceptional sound quality which testifies to marvel of the evolution of their melodic and rhythmic sense. With the participation of Robin Nolan on guitar, John Jorgenson on clarinet and Frank Young on banjo on titles by Rush, Glass Tiger, Gun’s and Roses, Dolly Parton, Corey Hart and Culture Club, this recording becomes a must for any good discography.

2014 is the year that marks major changes in the lineup with the departure of Christian Roberge, lead singer and guitarist and the arrival of Valérie Amyot on vocals (finalist at La Voix) and François “La Mitraille” Rioux on guitar (jazz guitar doctor). With the celestial voice of Valérie and the unleashed guitar of François, the group arranges more than twenty titles, most of which will be found on their next album which will be released in spring 2014 and which will be produced by the musical virtuoso John Jorgenson ( Elton John, Hellecasters, Desert Rose Band) . For this opus entitled “ Wonders Of The World ”, the One Hit Wonders concept will inspire covers of Deee-Lite, Cutting Crew, Rednex and The Cardigans, among others.

In concert, the group will also offer unique arrangements of Daft Punk, Anna Kendricks, Earth, Wind and Fire, Gun’s and Roses, not forgetting their classics from Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul and Technotronic. Energy, swing, smiles, humor, musicality, virtuosity and brilliant costumes are there !

In 2015, Caroline Blanchette, Martin Tremblay and Byron Mikaloff were nominated for the Juno Awards in the “Recording package of the year” category for creating the cover of the album Wonders of the world!

Produced by the American John Jorgenson, the Christmas album Christmas Caravan by the group The Lost Fingers, released on November 11, 2016, is a festive invitation to a musical journey around the world! A journey during which the jazz quartet revisits 12 Christmas pieces, classic songs or lovely finds, of various styles, periods and origins. White Christmas, Frosty The Snowman, Mele Kalikimaka, We Three Kings, Greensleeves, Go Tell It On The Mountain, What Are Doing On New Year’s Eve, Zat You Santa Claus?, This Christmas, Auld Lang Syne, The River—so many reads bold and unique, rearranged in ways that are sometimes sophisticated, sometimes crazy…

Among the many renowned collaborators who lent their talent to the creation of this sixth disc, let us mention the Frenchman Biréli Lagrène , one of the best gypsy jazz guitarists on the planet, considered by some to be the heir to the throne after Django Reinhardt; the Spaniard Germán López , the “Paco de Lucia” of the Canary Islands, player of timple, small guitar with 4 or 5 strings; Amir Amiri, Iranian santour virtuoso; the brilliant percussionist of Quebec and Moroccan origin Kattam  as well as the great Kim Richardson . Thanks to these multiple and precious collaborations, The Lost Fingers pushes the mastery of its arrangements and the prowess of its imagination. The quartet explores with originality the rich flavors of world music, swing, jazz and pop.

Always in the spirit of renewal, the idea of ​​rearranging and performing “ The Flight of the Bumblebee ”, taken from the opera by Rimsky-Korsakov, in the Floramiel apiary in Val-Alain caused a sensation on Facebook. In less than two months, the video reached a million views ! The performance features François Rioux on guitar and Sylvain Neault on violin.

After 3 years of research and memorable moments at Studio B-12 with the legendary multi-instrumentalist John Jorgenson , “Coconut Christmas” was released on November 3, 2017. This album transports us to the sunny paradises of Jamaica, Mexico , India, etc. which completes the concept of Christmas around the world. This time, the group collaborated with the talented Cyrille Aimée who was described by Bobby McFerrin and Kurt Elling as the next “Ella Fitzgerald”! With other guests like Hindole Majumdar on tablas, Guy Bernier on sitar, Bob ”La Cuillère” , drummer Tony Albino and virtuoso guitarist Robin Nolan , the quartet revisits 13 pieces of Christmas, style, period and of various origins: Feliz Navidad, God Rest You Merry Gentleman, Santa’s Lost His Mojo, New Year’s Day or even La Cuisinière.

In November 2018, the group released a third Christmas album entitled ” Worldwide Christmas ” produced by multi-instrumentalist John Jorgenson. On this album, The Lost Fingers offers revisited instrumental versions of holiday classics.

In 2019, forced to withdraw from training due to a health problem, Valérie gave way to Rosalie Roberge , known to the general public following her appearance on La Voix 2019.

Trained in opera singing, jazz and piano, Rosalie graduated from Cégep de Saint-Laurent in Professional Music and Song Techniques. In 2018, while participating in Spectacle Surface, Késako edition, a professional show for emerging talents, Rosalie was spotted by Byron Mikaloff, musical director of Késako. Impressed by her voice and her stage ease, he asked her to join The Lost Fingers in order to take over from Valérie and open a new musical chapter.