Here’s a comprehensive, conversational timeline of Julian Lage, the prodigious guitarist who’s been enchanting listeners since childhood.
Early Life & Family
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Real Name: Julian Price Lage
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Date of Birth: December 25, 1987
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Birth Place: Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Nationality: American
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Father: Mario Lage, a visual artist
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Mother: Name not widely reported; of Jewish heritage
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Religion: Raised non-religiously, though with Jewish maternal lineage
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Horoscope: Capricorn
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Family: Youngest of five children
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Hardship & Roots: Growing up in Northern California immersed him in blues, jazz, rock, and folk—thanks to his dad introducing him to giants like Muddy Waters and BB King. Though a supportive environment, physical adversity struck early: by age five, he gripped a full-size guitar too tightly, later diagnosed as focal dystonia, which would force him to relearn his playing technique.
Childhood Prodigy & Musical Breakthrough
By age 5, Julian started guitar; at 8, he performed with Carlos Santana and was featured in the documentary Jules at Eight. Only 12 when he played at the 2000 Grammys, and 15, he joined the Stanford Jazz Workshop faculty
He trained at the San Francisco Conservatory, attended Sonoma State, and earned a degree from Berklee College of Music in 2008
Rise to Acclaim
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2009: Debut album Sounding Point released via EmArcy; Grammy-nominated for Best Contemporary Jazz Album
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2011: Gladwell received critical praise
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2015–2016: Explored solo acoustics with World’s Fair, battled and overcame focal dystonia, then released the electric guitar-focused Arclight
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2017: Mount Royal, a guitar duo with Chris Eldridge, earned another Grammy nod
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2018–2019: Continued momentum with Modern Lore and Love Hurts, the latter marking his debut as a producer and featuring his current trio of bassist Jorge Roeder and drummer Dave King.
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2021–2024: Signed with Blue Note, releasing Squint (2021), View With a Room (2022), the Layers EP (2023), and Speak to Me (2024), which received universal critical acclaim—Metacritic score of 91/100
Education & Collaboration
Julian teaches at The New School in NYC, sharing his approach to jazz guitar improvisation. He’s collaborated with the likes of Gary Burton, John Zorn, Nels Cline, Bill Frisell, Chris Eldridge, and others
Personal Life
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Residence: Based in New York City
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Partner: Married to musician Margaret Glaspy
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Height / Body Info: Not publicly disclosed—artists outside entertainment rarely share such details.
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Appearance: Known for brown eyes and dark hair that has grayed with age; physique typical of a touring guitarist: lean and energetic.
Current Status & Legacy
Now in his mid‑30s, Julian stands as a leading voice in modern jazz guitar. He blends acoustic storytelling and electric exploration in his trio with Roeder & King. His latest album, Speak to Me (2024), further solidified his reputation with its lyrical depth and instrumental range. Critics from The New Yorker praise his “transcendent engagement” in live performances.
FAQ
Q: How did Julian start playing guitar?
He began at age five under his artist dad’s encouragement and quickly showed incredible aptitude.
Q: What setbacks did he face?
Focal dystonia in his left hand forced him to rebuild his playing, leading to a more mindful and refined technique
Q: Any major awards?
He’s earned Grammy nominations for Sounding Point, Mount Royal, and Layers, and consistently garners high praise from critics.
Q: Where does he teach?
He’s an instructor at The New School in New York City
Q: What’s his latest work?
Speak to Me (2024), released via Blue Note, is a critical favorite praised for its musical storytelling.