JEAN-FRANÇOIS HAMEL – president of the judges' panel
A highly versatile musician, Jean-François Hamel earned his master's degree at the Conservatoire de Musique de Quebec in 1996, where he studied classical guitar with Paul-André Gagnon and advanced harmony under Armando Santiago, graduating with the school's top prize. For the last 15 years, he has performed in more than 1,500 shows, which ranged from classical to pop and jazz to blues, accompanying renowned Quebec artists from the four corners of the province on tour in no less than 10 Asian countries. A dedicated teacher and arranger, he has taught a large number of guitarists and judged several competitions, most notably the Concours de musique Clermont-Pépin in 2005 and 2007. Since 2006, he is the chairman of the Montreal Guitar Grand Prix jury.
JÉRÔME DUCHARME (CLASSICAL)
Jérôme Ducharme has won multiple awards, including first prize at the Guitar Foundation of America International Competition - one of the most prestigious in the world - making him the only Canadian to have earned this honour. He has performed in concerts and taken part in master classes throughout North America and Europe. His professional experience also includes an acclaimed debut album and participation in an Opéra de Montreal production, as well as contemporary and chamber music compositions and concerto performances with orchestra. Ducharme is currently completing his doctorate in interpretation at Université de Montréal.
DANNY RANALLO (BLUES / ROCK)
Well-known for his unique acoustic guitar style and as a songwriter and seasoned performer, Danny Ranallo is one of the most sought-after artists in Quebec. Among those who have drawn on his talents in recent years are Garou, Lara Fabian, Roch Voisine, Corey Hart, with whom he has shared the stage in Canada, the United States and Europe, Sylvain Cossette, Nicola Ciccone, Bruno Pelletier, Annie Villeneuve, Andrée Watters, and Ima, whom he has accompanied here and elsewhere in Canada, not to mention Ginette Reno and Boom Desjardins, for whom he has composed original music.
ANTOINE DUFOUR (ACOUSTIC)
Antoine Dufour has emerged as a young star of fingerstyle guitar, building a worldwide reputation for innovation and creativity. He has toured across Canada, Europe, the U.K. and the U.S., in solo and with other artists such as master guitarists Don Ross and Andy McKee. He has also performed at major festivals such as the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.
MICHEL CUSSON (JAZZ)
Composer, guitarist, and eclectic musician - Michel Cusson is a multi-talented force. He has electrified jazz lovers, moved film-goers, thrilled TV viewers and transported live audiences around the world with the pure sound of his chords. His contribution to the famed Quebec jazz fusion band UZEB is acclaimed the world over, and he has carved his place as a talented television and film score composer. His impressive work has garnered dozens of awards, including 14 Félix, 7 SOCAN, 6 Gémeaux and a Gemini. His original score for the hit film Séraphin - Un Homme et son péché earned him the Jutra Award in 2003 for Best Original Music and set the record for best-selling soundtrack in Quebec with more than 75,000 copies sold. In 2003, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television made him an Immortels de la télé, a very prestigious distinction, for his three-time award-winning scores for the TV series Omertà.