Victor Jean Dupuis
Callander Ontario is a small village on the eastern shores of Lake Nipissing which became world famous as the birthplace of the Dionne quintuplets. Victor Jean Dupuis was also born in this tiny northern community. Although Victor never gained the recognition as the famous five siblings, he has been blessed with the talent of five, as a gifted pianist, fiddler, vocalist, comedian and all round entertainer. He says he can’t remember when fiddling and step dancing were not around the house. Music came as natural to him as walking and breathing. From his gramma to his dad to his siblings and cousins, he realizes today, after researching his heritage that his roots are simply Metis Music.
His father was a hydro man and soon due to work opportunities packed the family up and moved to Orillia Ontario, just around the corner from Canadian icon Gordon Lightfoot’s home. When asked about this he says “I can only remember Gordon picking a few tunes on the front porch but I can tell you his dad is no Lightfoot if he catches you stealing cucumbers from his garden”. Formal piano lessons taught him music theory but it was the rocking Jerry Lee inspired style that Victor developed that caught the ear of traveling musicians, and the lure of the road told him to pack up his piano and come to the party. As a sideman Victor was able to analyze the audience reaction all the while honing his craft, and soon moved into the spotlight as the featured entertainer.
From small intimate parties, to Shriners conventions to thousands at fiddling and step dance competitions, which he M.C.s and performs at, Victor keeps his audiences hand clapping, toe tapping and rolling in the aisles with his music and comedy. Recently Victor has reunited with old friend and mentor award winning writer, producer, Larry Coad also a Metis and recorded a concept album pertaining to his metis heritage and culture. This project has been assigned to Sunshine Records of Winnipeg Manitoba, North Americas’ foremost Aboriginal label for world wide release and distribution.
Victor has been a hotel owner, restaurateur, and entrepreneur and along with his wife Audrey has raised two beautiful daughters. After battling and beating prostate cancer this year through surgery, Victor has emerged more excited, energized and determined to bring his metis music to the world. Let my tombstone read. MY NAME IS VICTOR JEAN DUPUIS AND I AM METIS.