Julian Lage Trio

Transcending his prodigious beginnings — which include being the subject of the Oscar-nominated documentary film Jules at Eight, a GRAMMY Awards performance at 13, and faculty status at the Stanford Jazz Workshop at 15 – Santa Rosa-born guitarist Julian Lage has emerged as a stunningly accomplished creative force and savvy bandleader. Making his recording debut in duet with bluegrass luminary David Grisman, Lage demonstrated deep maturity and intellectual acuity from the start, impressing jazz vibraphone innovator and discerning talent scout Gary Burton, who recruited the then 16-year-old for his quartet in 2004. Lage’s trajectory has been linear since then, embracing jazz, pop, country, bluegrass, and acoustic folk with equal élan. He stepped out as a leader with 2008’s Sounding Point, a session featuring pianist and contemporary Taylor Eigsti, banjoist Bèla Fleck, and mandolinist Chris Thile. Four increasingly assured albums and sideman work with drummer Eric Harland’s Voyager band as well as duet projects with guitarists Chris Eldridge and Nels Cline (Wilco) have led to Lage’s stimulating new trio with Roeder and King, his most telepathic unit to date.