Photographer : David Futey @ Futey Photography & Art, LLC
(progressive blues)
Claude Bourbon
(progressive blues)
“A breathtaking acoustic fusion of blues, jazz, classical and Spanish guitar from a stunning guitar virtuoso…” Altadena News, USA”
Ready for a unique and talented take on a wide range of musical traditions? Claude Bourbon is known throughout Europe and America for amazing guitar performances that take blues, Spanish, and classical stylings into uncharted territories.
Claude’s inimitable style incorporates all five digits on each hand dancing independently but in unison, plucking, picking and strumming at such speed and precision that his fingers often seem to melt into a blur. Thousands of people in the UK, Europe and USA have enjoyed listening to this virtuoso and for the majority of his audience it is an experience that compels them to return again and again to hear and watch him play, as his fingers lightly dance over the strings of his guitar and create a unique sound that is ’Claude’.
Some of this guitarists’ influences allow us a fascinating insight into this remarkable musician; Paco De Lucia: Deep Purple’s Richie Blackmore; Joaquin Rodrigo; JJ Cale; JS Bach….
Claude has played countless venues, including Glastonbury Festival, Isle of Wight Festival, Colne Great British & Blues Festival, Rock O’Z Arene, Avenches, Switzerland, among others. He has shared the stage in Europe and the USA with countless musicians, Calvin Russel, Charlie Morgan (Elton John, Gary Moore), Jan Akkerman (Focus), Steve Grossman (Miles Davis), Herbie Armstrong ( Van Morisson), Jose barrense Dias and many more.
“Claude Bourbon has French and Swiss roots. His instruments are guitar and voice. His music is rooted in multiple traditions – blues, jazz, folk, Mediterranean, and for good measure classical. (Can we say BACH!)
Mr. Bourbon’s guitar fingering and arrangements are varied and eloquent. Claude has the gift of brilliant sequencing, and the result is a hypnotic voyage along a river of songs and instrumentals. He wisely began with a two separate songs to establish his connection with us. What followed was a series of pieces strung together like a cleverly woven magic carpet. I felt like I was floating along, all thought swept aside. I was flowing with him from sad to sweet to ironic and on to another dimension. Some songs are in English, some in French, and within each there is rhythmic dance among the words. He plays with consonant sounds, and his tone is sometimes like that of a lover whispering in your ear. Other times, that tone goes deep and strong to relay important history or solidarity with those who have had similar experiences. Instrumentals provide continued rhythmic and melodic steps on the journey. Each strum or pluck is explicit, yet free flowing.
Claude Bourbon aptly describes himself as a musical artist. He uses a vast array of music tools to paint a landscape we have all visited either in person or in our dreams.” Mary Pat Cooney – FolkWorks
“Claude Bourbon weaved his songs through the audience as if on a journey through life taking in different flavours of Europe and beyond… from classical openings, across a whole continent of cultural roots, holding audience attention under a musical spell, his music would not have been out of place in the courts of Emperors and Kings.” (G. Munn)
“ Claude Bourbon is a unique figure today… his playing is almost indescribable“ – The Hook, Charlottesville, USA
“Never heard anyone get that much beautiful sound out of a J-45”, Bob, Tucson, AZ
Tickets £10
Please email lesleyhallcoquetdalemusictrust@gmail.com
Claude’s official website : www.claudebourbon.org