Marjo and Jean-Mulaire made their debut there, Gerry Boulet was a regular and Steve Hill even made one of his guitars embedded in a table: 50 years after his opening, the legendary bistro in Jojo, rue Saint-Denis, continues to attract artists and music lovers.
A photo of the late singer Gerry Boulet on the bistro walls in Jojo
Courtesy Danny Cyr, the bistro in Jojo
If photos of Marjo and the guitarist and composer Jean -Mulaire are exhibited all over the bistro walls in Jojo, it is that in the 80s, the former couple went there every week to test their new songs.
The famous guitarist was even on the Bistro stage in Jojo during the very first evening of music of the establishment, in 1985, with the Johnny Blue Band.
“People feel good at the bistro, artists and public people,” said the owner of the last fifteen years, Danny Cyr.
The bistro bar in Jojo
Photo provided by Danny Cyr, the bistro in Jojo
This one firmly believes that it is the warmth and the proximity between the people of the public and the artists at the bistro in Jojo who make a “certain magic happens there”.
“The atmosphere is pleasant. The customer has a look from the musician, and vice versa. There is an appreciation of both sides. It is a warm place, which is not just commercial, which puts local musicians at the center of everything, “explains the 64 -year -old owner, who is also drummer in his spare time.
Scott Price and Jonas at the bistro in Jojo
Photo provided by Danny Cyr, the bistro in Jojo
Located in front of the Saint-Denis theater and near UQAM, this place that has become historic has seen-and continues to see-parading customers of all ages. Public people like known personalities, like Bruno Pelletier, Paul Piché, Jonas, and even the politician Bernard Landry who was going to have a drink on the terrace after having delivered his lessons at the university.
Antoine Gratton at the bistro in Jojo
Photo provided by Danny Cyr, the bistro in Jojo
On the stage, musicians have been parading at a crazy speed for 50 years. Because the bistro in Jojo can boast of staging a group of musicians and a songwriter seven days a week, throughout the year.
Improvisation also holds a great place in this bistro run by artists and musicians from here and elsewhere.
Éric Lapointe, for example, often arrived late in the evening to go on stage with the musicians in place. The veteran of Country Music Paul Daraîche offered an unforeseen performance a few years ago, as did Garou for a certain year, and the famous harmonicist Jim Zeller often takes part in sessions of jam With guest groups … for over 25 years!
Sébastien plants respectables and Bernard Fowler who provides the choirs of the Rolling Stones
Photo provided by Danny Cyr, the bistro in Jojo
International stars
“You can’t change an institution. You have to keep it simple, ”explains the music lover Danny Cyr who knows that customers like musicians like to find the typical atmosphere of the bistro in Jojo.
Courtesy Danny Cyr, the bistro in Jojo
In the small bar of 113 places located in the Latin district, the furniture has been holding up since the opening in 1975. The round wooden tables, the walls and even the bar are original.
Among the international stars that pushed the bistro door to Jojo, we find the guitarist of The Tea Party, Jeff Martin, Bernard Fowler (who has assured the Choirs of the Rolling Stones since 1989), the American guitarist Joe Bonamassa (one of the guitars of which is exposed) and Zakk Wylde, who was the guitarist with regretté Ozzy Osbourne.
As for the song most requested by tourists passing through the bistro in Jojo? “”Mustang Sallylaunches Danny Cyr laughing. It has become a running gag So much musicians are asked often. ”
The interior of the bistro in Jojo and his guitars on the walls
Courtesy Danny Cyr, the bistro in Jojo
To learn all about the 50s of the 50e Bistro birthday to Jojo which take place all the month of August, go to the official website of the establishment: /www.bistroajo.com
