La Bottine Souriante first appeared on the Qu?bec music scene in 1976. This remarkable group has released, in just twenty three years, ten albums; three are certified Gold (meaning that over 50,000 copies have been sold) and one is Platinum (over 100,000 sold). Altogether, they have sold over half a million albums! On top of all this, the group has won dozens of awards and headlined festivals around the world. La Bottine Souriante is no longer simply a Qu?b?cois/Canadian musical phenomenon. The group and their explosive sound have crossed borders the world over and left in their wake countless enchanted audiences. The group has developed a distinctive sound all its own that successfully allies its homage to tradition with a dash of jazz, salsa, and pure folk, while at the same time perfectly representing the symbol of vitality and pride of its mother culture. In addition, the music identifies strongly with the current World Music movement.

La Bottine has developed an exceptionally tight, cohesive sound, with a music that celebrates. These two elements, music and celebration, characterized by pulsating rhythm, breathtaking sound, and exuberant spirit, have been inseparable since time immemorial. And it is directly into this turbulent energy that La Bottine Souriante sweeps its rapturous public.

Comprised of nine solid musicians, traditionally-rooted group members include : Michel Bordeleau (foot-tapping, drum, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, vocals); lead singer Yves Lambert (button accordion, harmonica); and Andr? Brunet (fiddle, guitar), with jazzmen R?gent Archambault (acoustic and electric bass) and Pierre Belisle (piano, piano accordion) taking up the swing. Since 1990, a four-piece brass section has added an even more exciting dimension to La Bottine's incomparable sound, featuring Jean Fr?chette (saxophone and arrangements), Robert "Bob" Ellis (bass trombone), Andr? Verreault (trombone), and Jocelyn Lapointe ( trumpet).

La Bottine Souriante took part to numerous Folk Festivals around the world, among them T?nder Festival and the prestigious WOMAD. The group appears on many compilations, notably with Irish Paddy Molony and The Chieftans (Fire in the Kitchen). After a world -wide deal with EMI, La Bottine Souriante is developping an international career.

Aiming and encouraging the inspiration of traditional music, La Bottine Souriante, in 1993, created their own company. Since, Les Productions Mille-Pattes is a leader in the diffusion of traditional music in Qu?bec and a example to be followed for a younger generation of musicians. The label Mille-Pattes proudly represents groups such as La Bottine Souriante, Michel Faubert, Les Charbonniers de l'Enfer, Yves Lambert, Les Batinses, Daniel Roy, Entourloupe, le trio Marchand-Ornstein-Miron as well as Danielle Martineau & Rockabayou.