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Rousseau & Carlton
Lorraine's childhood years were filled with music and art and at the early age of six she began her musical studies on the piano, but it was the flute which would shape her musical career. After several years of private lessons, she enrolled in Toronto's Royal Conservatory of Music (Canada), developing her talents in composition and flute performance. Similarly, Robert Carlton's fate also steered him toward a career in music, with formal training in classical and jazz guitar, piano, and composition.
Rousseau & Carlton met in 1982 at the Royal Conservatory of Music. After realizing they had similar interests and aspirations, they were soon captivating audiences with their unique sound at over 900 concerts, festivals, and television appearances. Rousseau & Carlton's dedication as full time musicians/composers has led to the release of their debut album, It's a Mystery. This CD was close to three years in the making, from their original concept to the final product co-produced by Robert Carlton and Emmy, Gemini, and SOCAN award winner Jim Morgan. It was a pivotal point in Rousseau & Carlton's careers because their unique flute and guitar sound would now be complemented with an acoustic ensemble that included keyboards, saxophone, bass, drums and percussion accompaniment. The album was released Dec./96 on the Arrow Records label with assistance from the Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent on Record. It's a Mystery has received international acclaim and can be heard on radio in the U.S.A., Canada, Europe and Australia. It is now being played across Canada on the Cable TV Guide Channel, which reaches over 2.5 million homes.
It's a Mystery is an exciting collection of original, instrumental compositions that focus on Carlton's accomplished guitar work and the equally talented Rousseau on flute, with a world class ensemble of musicians that includes keyboards (Gordon Sheard), saxophone (Vernon Dorge), bass (Scott Alexander), drums, and percussion (Brian Leonard)."The song, From Now On, emerged as we were beginning the album project and is symbolic of our careers moving in a new direction by including a live band." It's a Mystery celebrates life's journey, producing an uplifting listening experience. The album is based on the quote (which is included in the liner notes), "The past is history, the present is a gift and the future...it's a mystery", which was inspired from author Deepak Chopra's book, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.
In October 1998, by popular request, Rousseau & Carlton released their second album, A Christmas Wish, which includes twelve contemporary instrumental arrangements of traditional Christmas carols. With sparkling arrangements by 1999 Juno nominee, Howard Baer, A Christmas Wish features Lorraine on flute and Robert on guitar with keyboards (Howard Baer), alto and soprano sax (Vernon Dorge), bass (Scott Alexander), drums and percussion (Brian Leonard).
In 1998, Rousseau & Carlton performed all across Ontario, Canada and 1999 promises to be even busier for Rousseau & Carlton. Click here for recent news. Currently, Rousseau & Carlton are working on their third release. To find out about new recordings and upcoming performances by Rousseau & Carlton, or if you would like to share your thoughts about their recordings:
Music is the thread that weaves Lorraine & Robert's lives together as husband and wife. Some of their other interests include: hiking, bicycling, swimming, organic gardening, cross-country skiing, philosophy, health issues, meditation, cooking and art. "May we share our music with you in the hope that it brings you many moments of listening pleasure."
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