Julian Lage & Celler Malondro "Xabec" Montsant

Twenty-six year old Julian Lage was a child prodigy who began performing publically at the age of six. He was the subject of a 1997 documentary, “Jules at Eight” that was nominated for an Academy Award and at the age of thirteen, he performed at the 2000 Grammy Awards. He was originally classically trained at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, but later graduated from the Berklee College of Music in 2008. He’s been a faculty member at Stanford University’s Jazz Workshop since he was fifteen.

While he has his own group, he also plays with Gary Burton’s New Quartet. His resume of renown musicians with whom he’s played is extensive as are the number of jazz festivals where he’s performed. His first album, “Sounding Point” was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of “Best Contemporary Jazz Album.”

He has a laid back style and his guitar work is fluid and soothing. Like Pat Metheny, he plays a guitar built by Canadian Linda Manzer. If his career turns out to be anything like Metheny’s, he’s going to be a musical dynamo. Hope you enjoy him.

Autumn Leaves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHMOyKiuB08

Bag’s Groove: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmKrkiMLpTw

Goin Home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UbXDpNTf3o

Ode to Elvin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icQ7qMrXazE

Iowa Taken: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHplUF9bEKU

Guitar Etude #1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdedBrenPsk

Freight Train: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5uaUb8KnvE

Country Waltz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qdFW7pM5-E

Alone Together: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEJ2s1kitXk

Prairie Dawn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsZZ8M1cZjU

The Best Thing for You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG5dPRiDZCg

Greylighting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQkQQSp_xvM

Welcoming Committee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMgmuiV7PXE

Blues for Pat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFl5dkoqJYc

Tonight’s wine is an elegant one from the Montsant region of Spain. The 2008 Celler Malondro "Xabec" Montsant ($13.00) is a blend of Carinena and Garnacha. Opening the bottle you’re hit in the nose with the fragrance cherries jubilee that follows on the palate accented by a touch of vanilla and plums. It’s good for a relaxing evening under the stars listening to an up-and-coming jazz guitarist like Julian Lage and that’s exactly what I plan to do tonight.

Cheers!