Lulo Reinhardt: Guitar Virtuoso

Lulo Reinhardt, his name is associated with world music, Latin and swing…a guitar virtuoso, with unmistakable roots. He was born in Koblenz and comes from the famous Reinhardt family like his two uncles Dawelie Reinhardt and Schnuckenack Reinhardt. He grew up in the Sinti tradition, in which the music of Django Reinhardt plays a very important role.

Reinhardt played in the family band, the Mike Reinhardt Sextet, for over 20 years. In 1993 he founded the band “I Gitanos” with his father Bawo Reinhardt and his cousin Bavo Dége. Proud of their roots, the band recorded three CDs in their own language, Romnes. Reinhardt founded his own band, ‘Lulo Reinhardt Project’, in 2002 with the aim of only publishing his own compositions. Since 2008, this project became the ‘Lulo Reinhardt Latin Swing Project’.

The dreams, ideas and projects with the driving force of constantly absorbing the new and the unknown mean that many more exciting projects can be expected from Reinhardt.

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Claire Besson: Modern Acoustic Guitarist

Claire Besson studied at the Perpignan Regional Conservatory, where she wins prizes in chamber music and guitar. Claire immerses her audience in a contrasting and moving musical universe that oscillates between guitar and voice. During her performances, she presents her own arrangements and compositions, which are seamlessly woven between world music and jazz, with captivating energy and passion.

Besson has also taken part in concerts and recordings with the Galmeas Orchestra and the guitar quartet “Quatuor de l’Alba.” She plays regularly in various ensembles in France and abroad, including the flute-guitar duet “Clariana” and with “Compagnie Divague”.

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Cenk Erdoğan: Composer and Fretless Guitarist

Cenk Erdoğan was born in the vibrant city of Istanbul. In 2008, Erdoğan introduced his debut album “İLE”, a creative masterpiece produced by Sinan Sakızlı under the Baykuş Music label. In the same year, he accepted the challenge of composing and arranging the soundtrack for Çağan Irmak’s poignant film “Issız Adam”, which earned him the coveted Yeşilçam “Soundtrack of the Year 2009” award in recognition of his exceptional work. His solo album “Fermata,” released in 2018, showcases his skills as a composer and producer, that redefines the boundaries of fretless guitar music.

In 2021 Erdoğan was honored with a Grammy Award in the “Best New Age Album” category for his contribution to Jim Kimo West’s album “More Guitar Stories”, on which he was a featured artist. Erdoğan’s new album, created with the enchanting baritone fretless guitar, offers a deeper and calmer musical journey than ever before.

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Stephanie Jones: Soloist and Chamber Musician

Stephanie Jones is an active soloist and chamber musician who is currently based in Germany. She has recently finished her Masters and is currently studying a Konzertexamen in Classical Guitar Performance with Thomas Müller-Pering at the prestigious University of Music Franz Liszt.

Stephanie won first prize in both the Uppsala International Guitar Festival Competition and the Hannabach Guitar Competition. She was also a finalist in the Deutscher Gitarrenpries and the Salzburg International Guitar Festival. In 2014, through the Fine Music Network National Competition, Stephanie was awarded the Young Virtuoso of the Year. In 2012, Stephanie competed in the prestigious Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition and subsequently won second prize.

Stephanie has performed extensively around the globe, being invited to a number of festivals and concert series. She has also released two albums, “Colours of Spain” (2015), and “Bach, the Fly, and the Microphone” (2009). Stephanie is also a member of the renowned Weimar Guitar Quartet, this year releasing their debut album. Stephanie is passionate about sharing her music with others and is recognised as an innovative and deeply musical artist.

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