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Chuck and Albert Arsenault are well known as remarkable showmen and emcees, delivering absolute entertainment in both of Canada’s official languages: French and English – and both of Canada’s un-official languages: comedy and music. As members of the Acadian group Barachois, a mainstay on the Folk/Roots touring circuit for nearly a decade, they developed a distinctive brand of traditional Acadian music and showmanship and performed roughly 2000 shows. Their music was considered to be at the forefront of the genre and was a rhythmic, high-voltage style born in the heart of a culture kept alive through 2 ½ centuries on PEI.

Chuck & Albert have been performing together as a duo since 2004, taking music from the Acadian repertoire, adapting it for two performers, then adding new material that suits their strengths. The material they present is learned from local singers, fiddlers and historians; as well as original instrumental and vocal compositions in the traditional style. Their comedy finds it’s inspiration in the day-to-day collective experiences of their Acadian heritage.

The Chuck & Albert sound
A variety of instruments is used to achieve Chuck & Albert’s sound. The fiddle and feet have always been the primary instruments of choice at a dance or house party in the Evangeline region, but in recent years, more modern instruments such as the acoustic guitar and electric acoustic base have become staples in all kitchens. As the duo’s base player, Albert Arsenault comes by his talent naturally and continues the fiddling legacy of his father Eddy Arsenault. A talented singer, Albert’s vocal interpretations are one of a kind. His other musical roles are as a percussionist- that is to say an Acadian percussionist: spoons, guimbarde (jaw harp), knives and forks, saw, and the rhythm bones.

Chuck Arsenault plays the acoustic guitar and vocals. Chuck’s vocal abilities are well suited to handling ballads and harmonies as well as anchoring acapella arrangements. Unlike Albert, Chuck grew up in Eastern PEI where his grandparent’s language and much of their Acadian heritage had been assimilated into the larger surrounding English speaking community. Prior to meeting Albert he had learned to speak French and completed a musical program at UPEI where he specialized in the brass instruments which they plan to use in future arrangements and comedic numbers.

Chuck & Albert also present many original dance choreographies but have also taken the time to work with dance instructors Heidi Ford, Buffy Wallis and Albert’s sister Helene Arsenault-Bergeron.

Laughter's the best medicine...
Physical comedy is another love of the duo as well as that of the Acadian people of PEI. Audiences everywhere have come to treasure and expect this in their performances. It is this spirit that Chuck & Albert skilfully and tastefully carry to the concert stage vibrant characters, stories and traditions Albert and Chuck are quite gifted at drawing on one of the oldest forms of entertainment, laughter, and their penchant for humour is a natural extension of their Acadian background.

Chuck & Albert are multi-instrumentalists and consummate showmen. Fluently bilingual, they offer up clever banter in English or French by way of explaining the unique charm inherent in their songs. They have played to standing ovations both at home, across the country and overseas.