Entitled “Les vieux chapeaux” (Old Hats), the album was produced by an entirely Nova Scotian team. All songs were written and composed by Jacques Surette. Produced by musician Charles Robicheau, the album was recorded at the legendary Le Richelieu Club in Meteghan River, Baie Ste-Marie. In addition to wearing the producer’s hat, Charles Robicheau did the sound engineering and played guitar and bass on some tracks. The other musicians who came to the studio were Daniel LeBlanc (fiddle, mandolin), Jacques Blinn (pedal steel, synthesizer, organ, piano), Leon Stuart (drums), Vicky Deveau (vocals), and Melissa Comeau(vocals). Jacques Surette played guitar and harmonica. The album was mixed and mastered by Jean-Pascal Comeau. The cover art was designed by Branch Graphic Design.
Like his first three albums, Les vieux chapeaux is being released on the Acadian label Le Grenier musique, based in Moncton. It will be available on all digital platforms starting Thursday, October 16, and shortly thereafter on CD and vinyl.
First radio single “Ma p’tite car noire” out today, September 23
The song “Ma p’tite car noire” is the first radio single. A short, cheerful, and upbeat song, it tells the story of Jacques, who is happy to be on the road driving his little car. The song will be available on all digital platforms.
Touring performances and collaboration with the National Arts Center
A new show is in the works to mark the album’s release, accompanied by a launch tour that will run from October 16 to November 23, 2025, in four Canadian provinces. Jacques Surette and his musicians will first spend three days at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa to put together the show with Montreal artist and artistic director, Gaëlle.
Jacques Surette and his musicians will perform no fewer than eleven launch shows to present this new album to the public. In addition to songs from the new album, the audience will of course be treated to songs from his first three albums. The tour will kick off on October 16 in Ottawa, ON, at the National Arts Centre; October 17 at La Cenne in Montreal, QC; October 19 at the Grand Théâtre in Quebec City, QC; October 23 at Salle Fatima in Kedgwick, NB; October 24 at the Auditorium of the Baie Ste-Anne School in NB; October 25 at Salle Lisa LeBlanc in Rogersville, NB, followed by a jam session that same evening as part of the Festival Folk Racine in Pleasant Ridge, NB; November 13 at Salle Berthe-Fauteux in Tracadie, NB; November 14 at the Centre francophone in Truro, NS; November 15 at the Centre Rive-Sud in Cookville, NS; and November 23 at La Picasse Center in Petit-de-Grat, NS. The shows in Cookville, Tracadie, Rogersville, Baie Ste-Anne, and Kedgwick are part of a tour organized by the Radarts, the Atlantic Performing Arts Network as part of the national Coup de cœur francophone.
School tour across Nova Scotia
Jacques Surette is a great inspiration to many young Acadian school students, especially those in his home province of Nova Scotia. He regularly performs and leads workshops in schools in the Maritimes, Quebec, and even Switzerland. He will be hitting the road with his partner in crime, Denis Surette, who accompanies him in his intimate shows, to perform at 13 schools across Nova Scotia between November 18 and December 4. The regions visited are Arichat, Bedford, Chéticamp, Cookville, Dartmouth, Greenwood, Halifax, La Butte, Larry’s River, Pomquet, Sydney, Truro, and Tusket.
Summary of performances
General public tour – Launch shows
- October 16: National Arts Centre – Ottawa, ON
- October 17: La Cenne – Montreal, QC
- October 19: Grand Théâtre de Québec – Quebec City, QC
- October 23: Salle Fatima – Kedgwick, NB
- October 24: School Auditorium – Baie Ste-Anne, NB
- October 25: Salle Lisa-LeBlanc – Rogersville, NB
- November 13: Salle Berthe-Fauteux – Tracadie, NB
- November 14: Centre francophone – Truro, NS
- November 15: Centre Rive-Sud – Cookville, NS
- November 23: Centre La Picasse – Petit-de-Grat, NS
School tour in Nova Scotia
- November 18: Clare High School – La Butte
- November 19: Par-en-Bas High School – Tusket
- November 20: Rive-Sud School Center – Cookville
- November 21: Sommet High School – Bedford
- November 24: Beau-Port School – Arichat
- November 25: Étoile de l’Acadie School Center – Sydney
- November 26: NDA School – Chéticamp
- November 27: Belle-Baie School – Larry’s River
- November 27: Pomquet High School
- December 1: Truro Acadian School
- December 2: Carrefour School – Dartmouth
- December 2: Mosaïque High School – Dartmouth
- December 3: Mer et Monde School – Halifax
- December 4: Rose des Vents School – Greenwood
The production of Jacques Surette’s album Les vieux chapeaux was made possible thanks to financial support from Musicaction Canada, Music Nova Scotia, and Le Grenier musique.
