Music was always in the air in Guillaume Blanc’s home in Millau city, in the South East of France. Ardent music lovers, his family was constantly listening to diverse music – from Western classical music to American blues. Captivated by the music he heard at a concert by jazz violin artiste Didier Lockwood, a five-year-old Guillaume decided to learn how to play the violin.
At age 16, he knew that the life of a musician was what he wanted to lead.
“The desire to become a musician just came to me,” says the 33-year-old. However the “road to music world” was a roller-coaster ride. “There were a lot of ups and downs but music kept me going,” says Guillaume, whose works can be heard on his website, www.guillaume-blanc.com
His journey in music began with his accompanying various French artistes and bands such as SportoKantes, André Ceccarelli, Didier Lockwood and The Rabeats. He branched off on his own in 2005 and has since performed solo and collaborated with several French and international musicians on stages in France, Nigeria, Italy, Sweden and the United States.
His music, he says, is a delicate mix of folk, jazz and electronic music.
“I've also worked for dance projects as a performer and as a composer. I have done several works for female dance choreographer Céline Pradeu-Kanagasabai; she toured India in 2012 and all the soundtracks used in the production were mine. I have also composed several pieces for theatre. I played and jammed with Pandit Shyam Sundar Goswami last year,” says Guillaume who occasionally listens to Carnatic and Punjabi music. L. Subramaniam is his favourite Indian musician.
Guillaume is currently working with Celine on her new project – Bolero de Ravel and on an album for children.
When he is not busy with his music, Guillaume enjoys spending time with his friends and family and with nature. He also teaches the violin and the viola at several music institutes in France.
The musician will be performing at a concert organised by Alliance Francaise de Trivandrum on June 8. Guillaume promises that the show will be electrifying. The show, titled Electric Suites, “is a DJ set which combines live instrumental music with electronic music. I will be playing a mix of European folk music, jazz and electronic music.”
The artiste’s first trip to Kerala, he is looking forward to exploring it a bit as he heard, “it’s a very beautiful state.” After his performance in the city, Guillaume will be performing in Goa, Ahmedabad, Delhi and Kolkata.
