Paul Merkelo grew up listening to trumpet recordings by Maurice André (France), Wynton Marsalis (USA), and Timofei Dokshizer (Ukraine). It was the different sounds and styles that these players embodied on the trumpet that really sparked his passion and made him want to pursue becoming a classical trumpet player. This recording marks the culmination of childhood dreams and his current position as Principal Trumpet with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal for over 20 years.

Paul Merkelo chose this French repertoire because it draws attention to a period in Europe that saw the liberation of its people at the end of World War II, and a rejuvenation of its soul through their artists, writers and poets. This freedom of expression is clearly heard in the works of Henri Tomasi (1901-1970), Alfred Desenclos (1912-1971) and André Jolivet (1905-1974). Their interest in the sound of the trumpet and its ability to fit into a jazz idiom, as well as being a highly virtuosic instrument, gave birth to three of the most beautiful trumpet concertos. Very few recordings exist today, as they are renowned for being some of the hardest repertoire for this instrument.

Mr Merkelo wished to record this repertoire accompanied by his colleagues under the baton of music director Kent Nagano at Maison symphonique de Montréal, the residence of the OSM, internationally recognized for its exceptional acoustic quality.