Julian Lage

A former child prodigy, Julian Lage is now, in his early 30s, a veteran. He’s collaborated with Gary Burton, Jim Hall, David Grisman, Béla Fleck, and Charles Lloyd, as well as releasing albums as a soloist and leader. He comes to Michigan with a new release, “Squint,” that takes his music to a new level. Recording now for Blue Note Records, the virtuoso guitarist reflected on the label’s storied history and the way his own music connected with it. The new album weds incisive, expressive songwriting with the profound interplay Julian has honed over the past few years with his deft trio featuring bassist Jorge Roeder and drummer Dave King. “I felt like this was an opportunity to present new music born out of the Blue Note tradition as I’ve interpreted it,” explains Julian, who previously recorded for the label on The Nels Cline 4’s “Currents, Constellations,” and Lloyd’s “8: Kindred Spirits.” “I absolutely love improvised music, and I’ve always been fascinated by singer-songwriter music. For me, the jazz that came out of Blue Note always engaged both sides of that,” Julian says.