Jon & Louise have been performing together for over 18 years.  After meeting at a private music school as teacher (Jon) & student (Louise), they began trying to work out a repertoire combining their two voices and two guitars on songs from Joni Mitchell to Peter Gabriel.   Being a jazz artist though, it was not long before Jon had Louise hooked on the jazz standards repertoire and the rest, they say, is history.

They formed a working band with sax player, Frank Lozano in 1991, called Avalon Motel

Jon Gearey - 7 string guitar

One of North America's finest seven-string guitar players, Jon's sound and technique are recognized by many top artists in the jazz community. Jon is also an accomplished musician and arranger, performing in various styles from jazz, blues and rock to classical, gypsy, celtic and folk. A versatile musician, Jon performs regularly as a solo player in duos, and with various high-profile artists and groups all the way up to the symphony orchestras of Montreal and Quebec City.  In 2003, Jon was part of the duo opening for Michael Bublé at the Metropolis.  Aside from touring Canada with Michel Donato's trio and starlette Dorothée Berryman, Jon's versatility led him to tour with Canadian Celtic group The McDades. He has performed at the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal every year since 1997! He has studied and performed with such noted jazz musicians as Montreal’s guitar legend, Nelson Symonds, and Greg Clayton. He had the privilege to study in New York with John Abercrombie, Bob Mover and more recently Kurt Rosenwinkel, Gene Bertoncini, Howard Alden and Jack Wilkins. While in New York, he performed with Mr. Bertoncini and 7-string artists Howard Alden & Bucky Pizzarelli. Jon graduated with distinction from Concordia’s Jazz Studies Program in 1991.

Louise Thibault - Voice, percussion.

Voted favourite female jazz vocalist in 2000 on Jazzpromo.com, her voice has been described as, "beautifully seductive". Louise is recognized for her style and delivery of the lyric. She has studied jazz voice technique with jazz vocal professors and recording artists, Ms. Ranee Lee and Jeri Brown. A self-taught guitarist, she received a scholarship in 1991 to study both voice & guitar.  It was during this time that Louise met Jon Gearey, then an instructor at the Musicians’ Professional Workshop. Louise also plays the cello and greatly enjoys the singing aspect of that instrument. Song writing has not escaped Louise’s list of interests and she has composed & recorded several original works with her group, Avalon Motel.   Louise's influences include such legends as Shirley Horn, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day and Nancy Wilson.

Recent accomplishments include performances at major jazz festivals and an invitation to perform alongside Michel Donato for a CBC Radio 2 session on Routes Montreal celebrating Michel's 50 years in music.

Louise also teaches voice and guitar to students in and around the Montreal area.