While
Philip Catherine
might not quite match up to Woody Allen's idea of "the world's second greatest guitarist", he is certainly, at the very least, Belgium's premier master of the instrument. During a career of nearly six decades, he has played with Chet Baker, Charles Mingus, Stéphane Grappelli, Larry Coryell, Tom Harrell and Niels-Henning Ørtsed Pedersen, just to name a few of his legendary collaborators.
Mingus even went as far as to nickname him "The Young Django". This is not just because, and not merely because - like
Django Reinhardt
- his name is linked to an essential chapter in Belgian jazz history, but also due to the machine-gun virtuosity of his playing. Besides his infamous cascades of notes, Catherine has also shown his lyrical side on countless occasions, for example in his compositions arranged for big bands. His compositions re-scored for the
Brussels Jazz Orchestra
, in which he himself featured as a performer, are a case in point. Philip Catherine is also one of the few European jazz musicians who are both known and renowned in the United States, foremost because of his joint album with Larry Coryell.
Like Coryell, Catherine became an early devotee of experimental jazz fusion in the 70s, enthusiastically teaming up with the
Jean-Luc Ponty
Experience led by the French violinist of the same name. Never getting stuck in one style, he has cut post-bop and fusion albums, playing both electric and acoustic guitars, and in every formation from solo to big band. His beautiful, clear guitar tone is unmistakeable, his sense of melody captivating. On the day that the Jazz Showcase spotlights Belgian musicians, this evening's concert promises to deliver a quartet playing of the very highest standard courtesy of Philip Catherine and his colleagues - also in a quite unique formation as they will be joined by the singing of Barna Pély and the keyboards of Áron Romhányi of the Hungarian band United.
