Sylvain Luc is a French jazz guitarist. He tours regularly but rarely appears in high-profile jazz festivals. He is particularly attracted to duets, but he has also been seen in trios and rarely with larger groups. His best-known works are the two duet albums with Biréli Lagrène, with whom he has toured many times.
Biography
Childhood and musical studies
Luc was born in Bayonne, France, the youngest of three brothers. He studied at the prestigious Academy de Bayonne as a child, mastering the guitar, cello, violin, and mandolin. His two elder brothers were both musicians who regularly played in balls. At the age of 4, he laid his hands on a toy guitar with only three strings left on it and was allowed to accompany his brothers on rehearsals. Even at such a young age, he was able to play accurate chords. As a result, he started touring with his brothers playing balls at a very early age. Being immersed in a musical environment, he was regularly in touch with other musicians. One of them, the late Joe Rossi, suggested that he to listen to Joe Pass. This, and other encounters at his parents' home, led him to listen to, and appreciate, jazz music. At age 9 he performed for the first time on an album with his brothers, and played in the first part of a concert of Joe Dassin with a local group. He also entered the conservatoire of Bayonne. While the guitar is his instrument of choice, there were no courses for the guitar at the conservatoire, so he chose to study cello instead, and gained a taste for classical music. Luc has commented that his study of the Cello helped him build strength in his fingers which was beneficial for guitar. At age 12, he performed on a second album with his brothers, Oinakarin. He also became fluent with other instruments along the way, including the mandolin, the violin and the bass.
Beginning of solo career
At age 15, Luc formed a jazz group called the "Bulle Quintet," and quickly gained recognition. Two years later, in 1982, he and his group were elected laureate of the international festival of San Sebastian. He quickly became the most sought-after guitarist and bassist in the Basque region and began to tour regularly. In 1985, he met Marie-Ange Damestoy and became her guitarist, arranger and composer. Two years later, in 1987, they were nominated revelation of the Printemps de Bourges.
Sylvain mostly plays Godin Multiac guitars, both the nylon and steel string versions. He also, but less frequently, plays with the Godin 5th Avenue series. He also plays classical guitars.
Style
Sylvain plays mostly plays fingerstyle, even with a steel string guitar, and sometimes uses a plectrum, often switching during the course of a single song. Luc sometimes detunes the sixth strings of his guitars, both to emulate a bass sound while accompanying and to accompany himself in solos.
