Bireli Lagrene Ensemble

about

Biréli Lagrène (born 1966) is a French guitarist and bassist. A "guitar phenomenon", according to John McLaughlin,[citation needed] he came to prominence in the 1980s via his manouche (django-like) style. He often performs within the swing, jazz fusion and post bop mediums. Biography Biréli Lagrène was born on September 4, 1966, in Soufflenheim, (Bas-Rhin) in a traditional manouche-Gypsy family and community. He started playing the guitar at the age of four. He grew up in the loving but tough environment of the "zigan". His father Fisso (a very gifted violinist), his mother Berga and his brother Gaiti where probably his biggest influences. When, at the age of eight, he covered Django Reinhardt’s repertoire, his relatives were already calling him a child prodigy. Winning a Gypsy music festival (in Strasbourg) at the age of twelve gave him the opportunity to tour in Germany and, later, to record his live performance on the double LP Route to Django. Offered a chance to leave for the United States, Lagrène met the greatest jazz musicians of the international scene such as Stéphane Grappelli, Benny Goodman, Benny Carter, etc. In 1984, he met Larry Coryell in New York. Later, he was introduced to bassist Jaco Pastorius and ventured with him into jazz fusion. Together, they toured Europe, which contributed a great deal to Lagrène’s musical emancipation. Lagrène has also performed live with guitarist Al Dimeola. Back to a more traditional style, Lagrène recorded Gipsy Project an

top songs

albums

Routes To Django & Bireli Swing '81

Routes to Django

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Bireli Swing '81

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The Rough Guide To Gypsy Swing

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Routes To Django Bireli Swing '81

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Rough Guide To Gypsy Swing

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Rough Guide To Gypsy Swing (Digital Version)

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Routes to Django live at the "Kroko

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2004 - The Rough Guide to Gypsy Swing

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Route to Django

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Routes to Django: Live

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Rough Guide - Gypsy Swing

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