Musical companion of Richard Séguin, Florent Vollant, Chloé Sainte-Marie and Laurence Jalbert among others, guitarist Réjean Bouchard died on Sunday, reports his official Facebook page.

“Réjean passed away peacefully last night surrounded by his family. He’s off to play with his buddies,” the message posted on Sunday said simply. The announcement of his death sparked a shower of tributes on the social network from his singer and musician friends.

“You have been an inspiration to me and to dozens of guitarists across Quebec,” wrote Richard Séguin. I have always seen you as a free man, free in your choices, free in your music, to speak and live the truth without compromise and follow your path. Friend, great musician, you have given us a lot. »

The Studio Makusham family in Mani-Utenam also celebrated the guitarist, who had forged ties with the Innu and notably accompanied Florent Vollant on stage. “Thank you for your friendship, your encouragement. Thank you for everything you taught us, for all the artists you accompanied at the Innu Nikamu Festival and at Studio Makusham, you gave us so much. »

Alan Côté, founder of the Festival en chanson de Petite-Vallée, underlined the links of the deceased with the natives. “You will have contributed to building bridges between artists and audiences in Quebec and those from the First Nations,” he wrote. Your guitar will continue to resonate in us and on the stages, in the fingers of your dolphin Ivan Boivin. »

The loss is also immense for Chloé Sainte-Marie. Réjean Bouchard has been a valuable collaborator for her since her album Je pleure, tu pleures. In addition to accompanying him on stage, the guitarist has indeed produced all his important records. “I lose my brother,” she wrote. And even more, my musical Father. Thank you Réjean for projecting me into existence. For giving me my own sound…”

The causes of death were not specified, but Le Nouvelliste reports that the musician had been ill for some time.