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Notes
Eric Favreau, a master of the French Canadian tradition and a frequent teacher at traditional music gatherings across North America (including the Maine Fiddle Camp), is known for his deep research into archival field recordings as well as his own original compositions that seamlessly blend into the traditional canon.
Description of the Tune
“Bayfield” is a modern classic that captures the rhythmic drive characteristic of Québécois music. Unlike some older, “crooked” (asymmetrical) French Canadian tunes, “Bayfield” typically follows a standard 32-bar structure, making it highly accessible for sessions while retaining the “swing” and lift of the Montreal and Joliette styles.
It is often played with the crisp, articulated bowing that Favreau is celebrated for, and it frequently features “podorythmie” (seated foot-tapping) when performed in its original style. The tune has a bright, melodic quality that has allowed it to travel far beyond Québec, becoming a staple in New England and Appalachian repertoires.