BIO
Sylvain Luc was born in 1965 in Bayonne. At the age of four, he began playing guitar, then violin, then studied cello for ten years at the Bayonne Conservatory. In 1988, he moved to Paris, where he worked as an arranger, composer and accompanist of popular music artists (Catherine Lara, Michel Jonazs, Al Jarreau…) while still continuing jazz as a bassist in the Richard Galliano Trio and guitarist with Eric Le Lann. During his career, Sylvain worked with some of the greatest musicians , including : Wynton Marsalis, Steve Gadd, Lokua Kanza, Michel Legrand, Elvin Jones, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Manu Katché, Stéphane Belmondo, Michel Portal, Bobby Thomas Jr., Andy Sheppard, Alain Caron, Bernard Lubat, Steve Lukather, Keyvan Chémirani, Victor Bailey, Larry Coyrell, Al Di Meola, Didier Lockwood, John Mc Laughlin, Billy Cobham, Richard Bona... In 1993, Sylvain became the ambassador for « Godin »Guitars throughout the world.
His 1st album « Piaia » was released in 1993. Followed by "Petit Déjà,” (1994) a duet with his old friend Louis WINSBERG, and “Ameskeri”, an intimate duet with Stéphane Belmondo (1999). 2000 was an excellent vintage year. His duet album with Bireli Lagrène which has sold over 70,000 copies. And Sylvain released the 1st album of the band « Trio Sud » with drummer André Ceccarelli and bassist Jean-Marc Janet. Three years later, they won the“Victoire de la Musique” award for best jazz group. 2003, Sylvain Luc recorded his second solo album « Ambre », and starts touring in Europe and South America, or all over USA and Canada, with the International Guitar Night Festival. Since then, he had been playing all over the world, with famous musicians, such as Michel Portal, Eric Longsworth, Olivier Ker Ourio, Jacky Terrasson…he was invited to represent France at the IAEJ conference in New-York with Didier Lockwood, Richard Galliano andOlivier Ker Ourio… In 2008, Sylvain Luc won the “Django d’Or” music award for his achievements and played in the “String Quartet” band withDidier Lockwood, Victor Bailey and Billy Cobham. Luc's schedule since 2009 included solo concerts, concerts in duet with Bireli Lagrène, Méderic Collignon and Philip Catherine and in trio with Trio Sud. Also on the program were projects like “All Stars” with Richard Bona and Steve Gadd and “Nomad’sLand” with Didier Lockwood, Ira Coleman, Bijan and Keyvan Chémirani. Recently, Sylvain was invited by Michel Legrand to play at his 50 year jubilee concert at the Salle Pleyel in Paris. His last album, « Standards », mix of jazz standards and French tunes, is a real succes, in shops, and on stage, and is unanimously acclaimed by the press…
In 2010, Sylvain Luc received the Award of Jazz musician of the year from the SACEM, and in 2011 from theFrenchJazzAcademy.InMay 2011,Sylvain recorded a new album with André Ceccarelli (drums) and ThierryEliez (piano). « Organic ».They released the album at the prestigious Pleyel concert hall in Paris, with Richard Bona as a guest. In Nov 2013, Sylvain release a solo album about nursery rhymes « Souvenirs d’Enfance», and recorded in2014, with Stefano di Battista in Quartet an album inspired by movies soundtracks (Ennio Morricone, Nino Rotta, Michel Legrand, etc). In 2015, to mark the centenary of both Edith Piaf and accordionist Gus Viseur’s births’ , Sylvain Luc and Richard Galliano decide to pay them a beautiful tribute recording their album « La Vie en Rose », and playing the repertoire in all the greatest jazz festival and venues.In the mean time, Sylvain continues touring with Stefano Di Battista, or other talended musicians such as Daniel Mille, Philip Catherine or Oliver Ker Ourio...
The latest creations of Sylvain Luc continue to embrace vast musical universes. From Iran with the brilliant Chemirani’s brothers playing percussions, to classical Guitarist Marylise Florid, with whom he released an album. A poetic journey from Bach to contemporary trends of South Music, from Spain to Brazil. Both guitarists are masters in the art of expression of feelings, with delicacy, elegance and sensitivity. An astonishing mosaic made of original compositions and free improvisations. In 2019, Sylvain Luc & Stéphane Belmondo will be celebrating the 20 years anniversary of their numerous time-winning record 'Ameskeri', and taking back the road as a duo.
Always seeking for new sounds, Sylvain Luc continues his exploration in recording studio. Made with the french producer Renaud Létang , his new solo album, is released: Sylvain Luc, By Renaud Létang (Just Looking Productions)
In 2021, Two albums: Eclectik with André Ceccarelli, Hadrien Feraud and guests, and a new album in trio with Thierry Maillard and Stéphane Belmondo: Birka.
His next album Simple Song will be released on 2023, April 28th.
