Claude Bourbon

Saturday 10th October - 8pm - £6 (£7 on the door)
The Listening Room @ The Georgian Hotel
26 Lefroy Street, Coatbridge
Tel: 01236 421888

Born in France in the early 60's, Claude Bourbon grew up in Switzerland, where he was classically trained for many years. This finger picking guitarist has created an unbelievable fusion of classical and jazz, with ethereal Eastern influences, Spanish and a soupcon of Western folk.

Now based in the UK, some of this guitarists' influences allow us a fascinating insight into this remarkable musician (Paco De Lucia, Deep Purple's Richie Blackmore, Joaquin Rodrigo, Monty Python, JS Bach and Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks…. One reviewer even noted that although “Claude's roots were in blues, that is like saying Leonardo da Vinci was a painter”. Intrigued?

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'.

Starting to play guitar at the age of 15, it was the strains of an instrumental version of 'House of the Rising Sun' seeping from a neighbour's garage that ignited the fire in Claude's soul. He then studied classical guitar for a period, but soon realised that his feeling was more for improvisation than written music, “…as the music is a tool to express yourself…”.

The opportunity to join a travelling band came in 1984, playing the songs of Dylan, Hendrix, The Kinks and Muddy Waters all over Europe. Six years later, Claude moved to the South of France, playing on his own and writing and recording his first cd, Des jours gris (Grey Days). After five years playing countless venues, performing with several top international musicians including sax player Steve Grossman (Miles Davis band) and drummer Charlie Morgan (Elton John, Gary Moore), he relocated to the East of France.

Claude's first show in England came in February 1998, followed in June by the recording of his cd Bourbon Street at Bob Ross Studio in Portsmouth. Following the albums' release, the guitarist moved to England to live with his family.

Alone on stage armed only with his guitars and voice, Claude swiftly gains the attention of his audience as they listen to every note he plays, with the most frequently asked question being - How does he do that?. Come along and see if you can figure it out for yourself…

Claude's myspace