In 1975, having completed his studies at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec, vibraphonist Jean Vanasse created the Orchestre sympathique with flautist François Richard. At the same time, he accompanied singer Pauline Julien on tour and in studio. In 1986, he released the disc Nouvelle cuisine, a result of his collaboration with double bass player Miroslav Vitous. Two years later Vanasse signed his first sound track for Sous les draps les étoiles, directed by Jean-Pierre Gariépy. During the 1990s, he worked with groups of various dimensions. In 1999, the musician and composer took part in founding the OFF Festival de jazz de Montréal. As leader of Vanassextet, he recorded Mosaïque (2001) as well as Amérikois (2005).