Claude Méthé

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Born in Québec City, fiddler-singer-guitarist Claude Méthé has been a part of the traditional music world in Québec for more than thirty years.A self-taught fiddler, his style reflects most particularly the eighteen years he lived in the region of Lotbinière, Québec, on the south side of the St-Lawrence river not far from Québec City. Today, he resides in Ste-Béatrix, Québec, in the Lanaudière region, known worldwide as the epicenter of Québec trad music.

Claude is a former founding member of the nearly legendary Le Rêve du Diable, winner of a Felix for best traditional album in 1983, and a group often credited with singlehandedly reviving public interest in traditional Québécois music. The group’s original recordings have recently been rereleased and it is interesting to note that today, a whole new generation is once again making this “discovery”-in the form of old albums (vinyl 33s) by Le Rève du Diable! In addition, Claude is a former member of Joséphine (Danielle Martineau), Québec groups Manigance and Entourloupe, and Vermont group Jeter le Pont; he still performs with group Ni Sarpe Ni Branche (Éric Beaudry, Simon Riopel). He has played all over Canada, in Europe and the U.S.

Claude can be heard on at least a dozen recordings, including the soundtrack of Oscar winning film “CRAC” by Frédéric Back. Claude’s impressive repertoire of traditional songs contains gems from Manitoba, Ontario, Québec and the maritimes, sung in a voice known for its textured and sentimental quality; ballads are a specialty.

Claude also loves teaching Québécois fiddle repertoire and songs. He has taught at Ashokan (NY), Goderich’s Celtic College (ON), Donna Hébert’s Groove Camp (PA) and Pinewoods camp (MA).