Davi Simard — Fiddler
"The main difference between a fiddler and a violinist lies in the learning process and approach to musical interpretation. A fiddler is traditionally more self-taught: they collect tips and tunes that they learn from other fiddlers or reproduce by ear."
Dâvi Simard is a fiddler, composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist deeply rooted in traditional Quebec music. A native of Lac-Saint-Jean, he began playing music at the age of 12, surrounded by a family deeply involved in social dancing. His musical journey quickly took root in local and international traditions, enriched by his travels in Quebec, Ireland, and France, and by significant encounters with other tradition bearers.
Inspired by masters such as Isidore Soucy and Louis "Pitou" Boudreault, Dâvi has developed a personal, raw, and expressive playing style, drawing as much from sound archives as from living repertoires passed down orally. Like a true fiddler, he learns through listening, intuition, and physicality—and with a deep-rooted, rhythmic endurance.
In 2021, he self-produced the critically acclaimed album Violoneux, which earned him nominations at the ADISQ and Opus Awards in the Best Traditional Music Album category. He continues to perform this project live while also pursuing a career as a musician with numerous groups. These include Cirque Alfonse (since 2011), Damien Robitaille, L'Oumigmag, Les Mercenaires du Terroir, and many other collaborations.
Dâvi Simard embodies both the memory and the renewal of tradition. He also shares his expertise through workshops and camps on Quebec violin, thus contributing to the transmission of the richness of a still-living heritage.