Julian Lage news and features

St. Vincent performs onstage at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California on December 16, 2022

“This song presents a kind of revisionist history where guitar solos were cool after all in the early noughties”: February 2024 Guitar World editors' picks

By Michael Astley-Brown published 29 February 24

From neoclassical tapping clinics to cosmic, spaghetti western-esque guitar soundscapes, this month has provided an embarrassment of six-string riches

Julian Lage takes an acoustic turn while Ally Venable turns up the heat in this week's essential guitar tracks

By Matt Owen, Michael Astley-Brown, Jackson Maxwell published 9 February 23

Plus! Fresh cuts from John 5, Dying Fetus, Spotlights, Ali Farka Touré and more…

Julian Lage recalls the time Spinal Tap’s Christopher Guest gifted him a 1955 Gibson Les Paul – which was signed by Les Paul himself

By Matt Owen published 1 February 23

The LP was used by Guest – aka Nigel Tufnel – as his main touring guitar in 1984, with Lage describing it as the perfect convergence of his prized Telecaster and Collings signature guitar

Julian Lage Charlie Christian Gibson ES-250

Watch Julian Lage’s astonishing take on Charlie Christian’s Seven Come Eleven, using the jazz great’s own Gibson ES-250

By Matt Parker published 16 November 22

Phoenix’s Musical Instrument Museum handed Lage a very special loaner for his September show

Julian Lage: “A lot of what you hear on this record is first or second take. I like the tape to be rolling when I'm writing because there's a certain sense of discovery”

By David Mead last updated 29 September 22

The guitarist's new album, View With A Room, is full of his signature virtuoso-level guitar playing with splashes of colour provided by special guest Bill Frisell

Julian Lage explains why he doesn’t use many effects pedals

By Matt Owen published 26 August 22

The jazz virtuoso told Cory Wong how overdrives and other effects interrupt his guitar “choreography”

Julian Lage shares pro tip for traveling with a Telecaster – remove the neck completely

By Matt Owen published 25 July 22

The Blue Note jazz guitar phenom shares wisdom for guitarists on the move and proves there is no end to the practicality of a bolt-on build

Watch Julian Lage tease more magic from his signature Collings in the video for brand new track Word For Word

By Matt Owen published 15 July 22

Word For Word is the latest breath-taking arrangement to be shared from the jazz virtuoso's upcoming studio album, View With a Room, which is out September 16 via Blue Note

Erja Lyytinen performs on stage at The Blues in Hell Festival on September 03, 2021 in Stjordal, Norway

From psychedelic wah odysseys to oceanic soundscapes: here are this week's essential guitar tracks

By Jackson Maxwell published 1 July 22

Start the month off right with an eclectic and exciting collection of songs from Erja Lyytinen, Sonic Flower, Julian Lage, Dayglow, Bleeding Through, Bad Wolves, Cave In, Buñuel and more

Julian Lage teams up with the legendary Bill Frisell for new single Auditorium, reveals new album title

By Jonathan Horsley published 22 June 22

View With a Room will be Lage's sophomore album for the legendary Blue Note label and is out September 16. Lage has also announced a string of dates for the Fall

Jade Puget of AFI performs in support of the band's " The Missing Man" release at Ace of Spades on December 9, 2018 in Sacramento, California.

From reimagined blues classics to unlikely rap crossovers: here are this week's essential guitar tracks

By Michael Astley-Brown, Jackson Maxwell, Sam Roche, Matt Owen published 15 April 21

The freshest cuts from AFI, The Black Keys, Lucy Dacus, DMX feat. Bootsy Collins, Steve Howe & Ian Paice, and a heck of a lot more…

From soulful six-string sunshine to raucous anti-hate punk: here are this week's essential guitar tracks

By Michael Astley-Brown, Jackson Maxwell, Matt Owen, Sam Roche published 18 March 21

Lend your ears to some hot, guitar-infused new songs from Hannah Jadagu, Myles Kennedy, Julian Lage, DZ Deathrays, Mateus Asato and Annalé, and more

Julian Lage unveils new trio album Squint, first single Saint Rose

By Richard Bienstock published 17 March 21

“This record sits comfortably in the unknown,” the modern jazz guitar master says

Collings and Julian Lage team up for a signature electric guitar, the 470 JL

By Richard Bienstock published 19 January 21

Fully hollow model boasts hybrid profile neck, Bigsby vibrato and Ron Ellis Ellisonics pickups

Learn how to build solo guitar-based compositions

By Julian Lage published 1 November 19

Jazz guitarist Julian Lage shares a study in orchestration for solo guitar

All that jazz: how to expand your compositional creativity and play Splendor Riot

By Julian Lage published 26 August 19

Julian Lage teaches you how to think outside the box with your guitar-based compositions

How "Free Exploration" Can Inspire New Compositional Creations

By Julian Lage published 6 August 19

Hone in on your toolbox and develop gestures and sounds that represent what is unique about you as a guitarist.

Jazz Master Julian Lage Guides You Through His New Album, 'Love Hurts'

By Richard Bienstock published 31 July 19

Experimental jazz master (and Guitar World columnist) Julian Lage guides us through 'Love Hurts,' his adventurous new jazz guitar joy ride

Ensemble-Oriented Composing, and How to Play "Atlantic Limited"

By Julian Lage published 21 June 19

Julian Lage teaches an important skill for any guitarist—how to "sit out" and let the rhythm section take the lead.

Thematic Development, and How to Play "Atlantic Limited"

By Julian Lage published 10 May 19

Learn some more about thematic development from Julian Lage.