Guitarist Julian Lage and pianist Taylor Eigsti bring prodigious abilities to Jazz Fridays.
By: Susan Van Dongen
It’s probably one of the most unusual questions posed to prodigy guitarist Julian Lage, but one that he answers with consideration and thoughtfulness. He is one of those young people in a generation of prodigies who picked up the guitar at age 4 or 5 and seemed to soar with it naturally.
Going out on a metaphysical branch, wondering about reincarnation, could he have possibly been a great guitarist in a previous life and picked up where he left off? In the film Kundun, the child who was the reincarnated Dalai Lama "remembers" his prayer wheel and says "this was mine." Could young Julian have remembered his "axe" in the same way?
"I’ve heard different people refer to reincarnation, and yes, I have heard about talent carrying over and I guess that could be likely," says Mr. Lage, 19. "It’s not about the music being played it’s the ability to be comfortable in a musical realm, which just seems to happen to some people. If it’s a continuation from another life, that’s OK. But it’s different for everyone. Some people can start playing later in life and they’re also amazing. Sometimes it just takes people longer to discover the music within themselves."
Yes, but, modesty aside, how many children start playing music before they go to kindergarten, become the subject of a documentary at age 8 (Mark Becker’s Jules at Eight) and sit in with guys like keyboardist Herbie Hancock and vibraphonist Gary Burton before they can even drive?
Mr. Lage will bring his extraordinary talent to Hightstown when he performs with another "young lion," pianist Taylor Eigsti, at the Mount Burke Theatre at the Peddie School. Part of CAPPS Jazz Friday Series, the duo will appear March 2, and will also give a talk before the concert.
Like youthful keyboard sensation Eldar, Mr. Lage gives credit for his success to his supportive family, especially his father.
"My dad picked up the guitar as an adult around the time when I was about 4," Mr. Lage says, speaking a bit breathlessly by cell phone from Boston, on his way to a class at the Berklee College of Music. "I guess I wanted to be like my dad and I asked for a guitar and was told, ‘Wait until you’re 5.’ So I did, then I started playing with my dad, but also took some lessons. Stevie Ray Vaughan was my favorite so I started playing blues from an early age.
"It just felt very organic," he continues. "Before I knew it, I was playing with professional musicians. The years have flown by but playing music still feels like it did when I was 5."
Although his heart was in the blues, when Mr. Lage entered the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, he was thrust into the world of classical music, and blues was somewhat looked down on. However, it was at the conservatory where he was introduced to the freedom of jazz. Mr. Lage also studied at Sonoma State University in northern California, Ali Akbar College of Music in Berkeley, Cal., and currently at Berklee. He’s taught at the Stanford Jazz Workshops and in a workshop setting at Berklee. His first recording was as a featured performer on Mr. Burton’s album Generations (Concord Records, 2004) and he’s also appeared on Mr. Eigsti’s CD Lucky to be Me (Concord Jazz, 2006).
At Berklee, Mr. Lage is in a special program, working toward an "artist’s diploma," rather than a bachelor’s or master’s degree. In other words, he’s writing his own ticket.
"It’s different than a regular degree," he says. "If you get chosen, you tell them what you want to study. For me it’s guitar, classical piano and classical composition and it’s all private lessons instead of classes, as well as playing in student ensembles. I’m lucky to be here."
Mr. Lage also is experimenting with North Indian classical music, learning sitar and tabla.
"Just anything I can get my hands on," he says.
Mr. Lage has split emotions about playing with the likes of Carlos Santana. While the music is happening, he takes things in stride.
"When you’re with someone like Herbie Hancock or Santana, you’re just going for the music," he says. "But afterward it’s like, ‘Oh my God, how did I manage to get through that?’ And then you just move on to the next thing."
Like Mr. Lage, Mr. Eigsti began playing music at about age 4, and made his professional debut at the age of 8 when he was invited to be the opening act for David Benoit. Since then, he has been acclaimed for his technical proficiency and mature, intuitive style of playing. He’s appeared with such renowned artists as Dave Brubeck, James Moody, Diane Schuur and many others. As a duo, Mr. Eigsti and Mr. Lage have performed around the world, including a critically praised session at the Newport Jazz Festival in 2005.
For both men, the title "young lion" might get a bit tiresome. Does Mr. Lage ever become frustrated that people focus so much on his youth to the detriment of the music?
"When I was younger it was more of an issue, but you have to be smart about it," he says. "My parents were always really supportive. Musically, I was fortunate to play with other musicians who would always see past that. To them and to me, it’s all about the music. I love where I am. I’m on the brink of the next generation, the next movement in jazz. Along with my friends, I’m just right in there and I’m going to keep pushing forward."
Julian Lage and Taylor Eigsti will perform at the Mount-Burke Theatre at the
Peddie School, South Main Street, Hightstown, March 2, 8 p.m. Pre-concert chat
with the artists, 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15. For information, call (609) 490-7550.
On the Web: www.peddie.org/capps.
Julian Lage on the Web: www.julianlage.com.
Taylor Eigsti on the Web: www.tayjazz.com

