The acoustic composition AirTap! accumulated over seven million views on YouTube, establishing the Canadian guitarist as a digital-age performer. Born in Montreal in 1980, the composer built a career through unconventional techniques and global touring, moving from street busking to formal appearances on major international networks and specialized music platforms throughout his professional life.
Artistic Development
Initial musical interests included Metallica, Jimi Hendrix, and Kurt Cobain. At eighteen, he encountered the work of Don Ross, which prompted a shift toward fingerstyle techniques. Subsequent exposure to the compositions of Michael Hedges led to experimentation with lap tapping, a method involving percussive strikes on the guitar body. This stylistic evolution became the foundation of his technical approach.
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The debut full-length album, Fates, appeared in December 2006 as a collection of individual digital downloads before a physical release in June 2007. His second studio project, Equilibrium, arrived on October 21, 2008, recorded at The Dragon Crossing studios in Annapolis, Maryland. This record featured contributions from bassist Michael Manring and synthesizer player Bill Plummer. Subsequent releases include Forward in 2012 and Tempo in 2022.
Performance and Media
Following initial experiences as a street performer, he gained broader recognition after being discovered in Spain. Live appearances have spanned the United States, Japan, Germany, Canada, and England, including a set at the Montreal International Jazz Festival and a recorded performance at the Studio-théâtre of the Place des Arts. Media exposure includes a feature in Guild Guitar Company Magazine and a tutorial series produced by iVideosongs detailing his lap tapping method. His compositions are also featured in a documentary for the Everest Peace Project.
Fast facts
- Born: 1980, Montreal, Canada
- Primary Instrument: Guitar
- Notable Technique: Lap tapping
- First Album: Fates (2007)
- Significant YouTube reach: AirTap! (7 million+ views)
- Professional roles: Composer, television producer, songwriter, jazz musician
Questions readers ask
Which guitar technique is he best known for?
He is recognized for his lap tapping style, where the performer strikes the instrument to produce percussive sounds.
Where was the 2008 album Equilibrium recorded?
It was recorded in July 2008 at The Dragon Crossing studios in Annapolis, Maryland.
Achievements
- Instruments: guitar
- Genres: jazz
