Born in Montreal, John Labelle has been a jazz fan for as long as he can remember. From an early age, he listened to the great big band vocalists, including Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney; and, of course, Frank Sinatra, who would later become one of his greatest influences.
To be close to the music he loved, Labelle landed a job at the famous Biddle's Jazz and Ribs nightclub, an institution in Montreal for the last twenty years. Working there, Labelle came into contact with some of Montreal's finest musicians whom he listened to and learned from. He quickly gained a reputation for knowing all the lyrics, and could often be heard singing along with the evening's performers. One night, at the age of nineteen he was invited to sing a few songs with the house band and the crowd loved it. Encouraged by the response, Labelle set about trying to make a name for himself on the Montreal jazz scene. He quickly became a regular at jam sessions, improved steadily, and while still in his teens, got his first professional gig; a three-month contract at a small hotel. More work would follow, and he began a long-term collaboration with pianist Steve Amirault, with whom he still works from time to time.
In 1995, Labelle produced his first album, If You See Her, released on his own label. This recording of standards and one original song featuring Steve Amirault on piano, Johannes Weidenmuller on bass and Marc Miralta on drums, resulted in an invitation to perform at the 1995 Montreal International Jazz Festival where he was heard by the president of Jazz Inspiration Records who immediately signed him to a recording contract. If You See Her was re-released on the Jazz Inspiration label and distributed by MCA Canada.
In 1997, Don't Say No, an album of widely praised original compositions featuring the collaborative writing talents of Labelle and Amirault, was also released on the Jazz Inspiration label. Produced by Radio Canada’s Alain De Grosbois, and featuring the arranging talents of New York's Bob Parsons, this recording, and the tour that followed resulted in Labelle being named 1998 Male Vocalist of the Year by Toronto's The Jazz Report magazine.
Beginning in 1996, Labelle began a successful collaboration with guitarist Greg Clayton. When not performing elsewhere, Labelle's dedication and love for his music, as well as the enthusiastic support of loyal fans keeps Labelle and Clayton currently performing six nights a week at Modavie Jazz Bar and other venues in the Montreal area. With over 400 standard songs in their repertoire, and over 2000 performances to date, Labelle and Clayton are well established favorites on the Montreal Jazz Scene.
Labelle has performed numerous concerts throughout his career. For eight years he was the male vocalist with the Montreal Jazz Big Band. He has performed at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 1995, 1996, 1998, and 1999. And in the 2004 edition, he performed in front of over 50 000 people. From 1998 to the present Labelle has continued to hone his craft while touring on three continents. A few of his many shows and appearances have included performances in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Beijing. Early in February 2005, Labelle performed at the Smithsonian Jazz Café in Washington, D.C. Labelle has also had numerous television appearances and radio features, with several appearances on Black Entertainment Television, including an in-studio concert. His records are constantly heard on Jazz Radio throughout Canada and the US. Recently Labelle was featured in a live studio concert presented on Cool TV. His original compositions have also been showcased in a soon-to-be-released feature film.
Following the demise of the Jazz Inspiration label, Labelle released Too Close For Comfort on the JLP label early in 2003. This collection of jazz vocal standards featuring Greg Clayton on guitar, Alec Walkington on bass, and Dave Laing on drums marked the return to the studio for John Labelle. Critically acclaimed as one of the finest voices of the nineties and the new millennium, Labelle spent three years preparing this album and the results speak for themselves. Elegant, and to the point, his singing brings a new focus to a well-chosen repertoire of American Jazz Classics.
In 2004, Labelle was featured on a very successful compilation of Canadian Crooners, entitled Here Come The Boys,released by the Maximum Jazz Label and distributed by Universal.
2005 saw the release of two recordings: The Very Best Of John Labelle (JLP records) and A Montreal Jazz Christmas (Soundsgood.ca) Both received rave reviews and A Montreal Jazz Christmas, in particular, is sure to become a classic. With stellar performances by Labelle, including two new Labelle compositions, which are sure to become Christmas standards, this album is a stunningly beautiful example of Labelle's range as a performer.
Labelle's current release, Last Time I Was Here (JLP Records), is a glittering collection of standards and three new Labelle compositions.