1982, at the Jazzfestival in Frankfurt. The young boy is Biréli Lagrène. With him, one of the greatest jazz guitarist, Philip Catherine whose I surely talk about in other times. That how the youth of Lagrène was like.
Today, it's 20 studio albums, the first (Routes to Django) at 14 years old ! From his favourite theme, the Gypsy jazz and the reference Django Reinhardt (another great topic ! Maybe later...) to jazz fusion and rock, Biréli worked with some of most amazing musicians in the world. We can mention Stephane Grappelli, Reinhardt's acolyte and brilliant violinist, Paco de Lucia, Jaco Pastorius, Marcus Miller, Michel Petrucciani or Didier Lockwood, and so on.
In my opinion, Routes to Django (1980) need to be noted as it's the first album studio of Biréli Lagrène and goes beyond gypsy standards but contains wonderful compositions. The second iconic work of him would be Duet (1999), a first collaboration with Sylvain Luc. Just two guitars and jazz standards all revisited with perfection. One more could be Electric Side (2008) where Lagrène played some of his jazz fusion compositions found in Inferno (1988) and Foreign Affairs (1989) and some really good samples !
His ability to change from musical genre even instrument so easily, his fluency to improvise is incredible. So if you are listening to music right and didn't know this talented guitarist (considered by most as one of the greatest guitarist), throw away your vinyl, mp3 or tape and put as soon as you can one of his masterpieces !
Mustachly yours, keep listening fellows !