Originally from Montreal, with a Bachelor's in classical piano from l'Université de Montréal, Marie-Jo went on to study jazz saxophone at the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston Mass. where she studied with Joe Viola. After settling in Toronto in the seventies, she pursued her studies at York U. and continued sax lessons with such teachers as David Baker in Indiana and John Sedola in Buffalo N.Y.

During this time, she also gained experience playing with Claude Ranger, Keith Blackley, Steve Wallace, Ralph Bowen, Bob Fenton, Perry White, Jim Vivian and Jerry Fuller, developing her own original voice on alto sax.

Marie-Jo also appeared at the Dowtown Jazz Festival, the Peterborough Jazz Festival, the Markham Jazz Festival, all with great success. She has had weekly engagements as leader at various jazz clubs in Toronto and Montreal throughout the years, and has just finished an eleven year Tuesday evening gig, with her trio, at the Safari Bar & Grill. (They are now looking for a new home for the trio, which is sounding great...). She is currently studying with Jerry Bergonzi.

Marie-Jo loves to cook, grows her own vegetables in the summer, has a beautiful flower garden. and is learning to make artisan chocolates! Most importantly, she has two wonderful children, with her husband Brian, who is a dedicated jazz educator and pianist.