There’s a satisfaction in shoveling snow, a certain athleticism, a nuanced choreography to it all. Who are we kidding – shoveling snow is the worst! But if you live in Canada, it’s a necessity, and jazz flutist Marie-Véronique Bourque and her band are here to add a little bit of levity to the situation with their new single “The Shovel Shuffle.”
With tinkling piano, passionate vocals, and fiery flute, “The Shovel Shuffle” is a lighthearted and completely jazzy holiday jingle to get you ready for snow, snow, and more snow. But first let’s be realistic …
Sometimes you wish you were born in Australia
Or in another warm place such as California
No fingers turning blue
No runny nose, no flu
No snow day stuck babysitting your sister
No winter coat to wear
No tuque flattening your hair
A bit of sunshine would be fair
The chorus then roars in with “Hustle, hustle, get your shovel/ Get your shovel it’s a snow day.” The accompanying music video pans back and forth between the band playing on a close, cozy stage and Marie-Véronique alone in a vast snowscape, shoveling away. The video is a fun way to watch the deft instrumentation of the band, and to get a few well-placed chuckles at the frustrations of shoveling winter’s never-ending white stuff.
Originally from Quebec, Marie-Véronique Bourque is a 2021 Trille Or and Saskatchewan Music Awards nominee, and a winner of the NFA 2021 Jazz Flute Big Band Competition. Her second album Entre Québec & Saskatchewan, released in 2021, and her debut album Une porte s’ouvre, released in 2018, were both voted the No. 5 Best Album of the Year (2018 and 2021) and landed on the !Earshot National Jazz Charts.
Born and raised in Québec, Marie-Véronique was awarded First Prizes in flute and chamber music from the Conservatoire de Musique de Québec. In 1992, she joined the RCMP band. After its disbanding, she served as a police officer for more than 25 years.
