Guitar
Julien was here just last year with Romane and Daniel John Martin’s Quartet, powering the rhythm section of that particular machine. This year he joins us as rhythm guitarist for the Gwen Cahue Quartet.
If you’ve been playing Gypsy jazz for more than a week or two, you know that the fine art of rhythm guitar is an all important part of that special sound. Elegant and efficient (a couple of must-have traits for anyone looking to excel in the rhythm chair), Julien’s tasteful accompaniment has landed him gigs with (I’ll pause to take a deep breath), Tchavolo Schmitt, Romane, Samson Schmitt, Noé Reinhardt, Rocky Gresset, Antoine Boyer, Raphaël Fays, and many more. (Phew.) Here’s another chance to learn it from one of the most in-demand rhythm players on the Paris scene today.
(Sébastien Giniaux et Julien Cattiaux – I’ll see you in my dreams)
In any city on the planet other than Paris, Julien would be recognized as an accomplished lead guitarist as well. So he’ll be teaching lead as well as rhythm guitar at Django Camp’s Level 2 again this year. Every great teacher has been a great student at some point, so here we see him back in the day, making an etude of Django’s 1943 take on “Blues Clair.”
Those of you who worked with him last year know that he teaches as he learned, without a lot of music theory. Instead, he prioritizes good (and honest!) listening — making sure you don’t get so wrapped up in the details that you forget that the whole point of this is to make good music. We’re lucky to have him on board again to pass along the wisdom he’s accumulated over the years.
(An interview with Julien; English translation available by clicking the CC icon, then changing the Setting to English)