Pat Belliveau started his formal musical training at the age of four and began playing the saxophone at age 12. He has an extensive performing background which has involved numerous performances at international jazz festivals in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and Montreal. In addition, he has toured throughout North America, Europe, Japan, and Panama, with a number of groups, including jazz quintet Quintonal, and the saxophone ensemble Saxoffonee, both participants at the Montreux International Jazz Festival, in Montreux, Switzerland, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Vic Damone/Diahann Carroll, the Mills Brothers, “Jazz Vibraphonist” Terry Gibbs, Maureen McGovern, and Mel Torme.
As well, Pat has done numerous concert performances with many artists and groups including; Bob Mintzer, Randy Brecker, Herbie Hancock, Harry Connick Jr., The New York Voices, Bobby Shew, Clark Terry, Pat LaBarbera, Phil Woods, Bill Watrous, Mike Tomaro, Jeff Jarvis, Kenny Wheeler, Doc Severinsen, Allan Vizzutti, Dave Koz, Lenny Pickett, Guido Basso, Rob McConnell, Doug Riley, Carol Welsman, Sam Noto, Les DeMerle, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Don Braden, Phil Nimmons, David Foster, Hal Linden, Johnny Mathis, Ben Vereen, Neil Sedaka, Petula Clark, Shirley Jones, Joan Rivers, The 5th Dimension, The Temptations, Clarence Clemons and the “Temple of Soul”, Martha and the Vandellas, Jack Semple, Beverley Mahood, Colin James, Jason McCoy, Nikki Yanofsky, The University of Calgary Jazz Ensemble, The University of Lethbridge Jazz Ensemble, The Brandon University Jazz Ensemble, The Abilene Christian University Jazz Ensemble (Abilene Texas, USA), The Canadian “rock group” Lighthouse, The Canadian Tenors (Now “The Tenors”), The New York casts of A West Side Story and A Chorus Line, The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra among others.
He has also performed at private functions held for former Canadian Prime Ministers Brian Mulroney, Kim Campbell, and Joe Clark, actor Robert Duvall, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, and the Queen of Norway. He has also performed as an opening artist for Jazz Guitarist John Pizzarelli, the Hugh Fraser/Jean Toussaint Quintet, The Canadian “rock groups” Wide Mouth Mason and The Colin James Band, Jazz Singer Al Jarreau, and The Neville Brothers.
Pat is a Saxophone Artist/Clinician for “Eastman Saxophones”, for “BG Woodwind Music Products” (France), for the“MARCA Reed Company” (France), and for “Theo Wanne Saxophone Mouthpieces”. Presently, Pat has released two compact discs as leader, the first entitled “La Zona Blanca” which features Los Angeles trumpeter Bobby Shew, Chicago drummer Paul Wertico (7 time “Grammy Award” winner with the Pat Metheny Group….1983-2001), and “Juno Award” winning Toronto saxophonist Kirk MacDonald as special guests. The second CD is the Pat Belliveau Quintet recorded live at the Boquete International Jazz and Blues Festival in Boquete, Panama. He can also be heard on over fifty-five CDs as a sideman.
He is presently a faculty member of the Ambrose University Music Department (Calgary), teaching saxophone, improvisation, and, he is director of the Ambrose University Jazz Ensemble. Also, he is a former member of the University of Calgary Music Department, teaching jazz saxophone, jazz harmony, and jazz improvisation. As well, Pat has a number of private students and is active as a clinician/adjudicator for festivals, schools, and various adult groups throughout Canada. He is co-founder and past “Vice-President” of the “Calgary Jazz Association” (CJazz), and a former member of the executive board of the American Federation of Musicians Local 547.
Pat holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Calgary; has attended many workshops and clinics, and has done private study with various jazz artists and educators, including, trumpeters Bobby Shew, Dominic Spera, and Greg Bush, saxophonists Kirk MacDonald, Pat LaBarbera, George Robert, Roger Rosenberg, Tim Ries, Bob Mintzer and George Coleman among others.
“Like Duke Ellington said ‘There are 2 types of music, good and bad.’ If the music is good, the people are great to work with, and there’s a solid groove, I’m probably going to enjoy it!” – Pat Belliveau