Julian Lage

On 13 May 2026 the Julian Lage Quartet will perform at Muziekgebouw Eindhoven. The guitarist, who grew up in California, developed his own approach to the instrument at an early age: rooted in jazz, with traces of folk, bluegrass, country and chamber music. After his period alongside vibraphonist Gary Burton he launched his own projects. Albums such as Arclight, Modern Lore, Squint and View With a Room on Blue Note showcase a clear, melodic style—tight in the groove and focused on interplay.

In quartet form Lage enlarges that approach: compact themes become points of departure for conversation, rhythms shift subtly, and harmonies remain open. The guitar serves as a compass, alternately light and textured, with a direct tone and assured timing. The program moves between short vignettes and more expansive improvisations, where Americana colors sit alongside contemporary jazz phrases. The emphasis is on listening, responding and shaping in the moment, with music that unfolds on the spot and allows the group as a whole to speak.