🎸 Manu Galvin
Fingerstyle Virtuoso
Manu Galvin, fingerstyle virtuoso
🎸 Fingerstyle Virtuoso
Born in Paris in 1958, Manu Galvin is an internationally renowned French guitarist, recognized as one of the masters of acoustic guitar. Elected best acoustic guitarist of 1999 at the "France Blues" awards, he has collaborated with the greatest names on the French and international scene.
📖 Biography
Born in Paris in 1958, Manu Galvin began studying guitar in 1975.
In 1981, he formed the rhythm'n blues group "Hot Cha" with which he performed in Parisian clubs.
But it was from 1980 that he associated his talent with that of other renowned musicians from the jazz and blues scene: harmonica player Sugar Blue, with whom he toured in Europe and Africa; guitarist Melvin Taylor and saxophonist Eddie Shaw chose him to handle their French tour in 1981.
🎵 Partnership with Jean-Jacques Milteau
🤝 Legendary Collaboration
It was certainly his meeting in 1988 with harmonica player Jean-Jacques Milteau that was the most decisive and prolific.
Since then, these two great names in blues have never left each other and have performed on all continents.
They regularly tour the world (Europe, Africa, Asia, America, Middle East...) on major tours and headline major international festivals (Montreal Jazz Festival, Aspen Jazz Festival in Colorado).
They were invited two years in a row to perform as opening acts for Eddy Mitchell concerts: first as a duo at Casino de Paris in 1993 then the following year as a trio with Jean-Yves d'Angelo at Zénith. In 1997, they appeared on the "Taratata" show.
🌟 Prestigious Collaborations
Manu Galvin recorded Jean-Jacques Milteau's albums: "Explorer" in 1990 (awarded at the Victoires de la Musique as best instrumental album of the year); "Live" album in 1992; "Routes" in 1995; "Merci d'être venus" in 1996; "Bastille Blues" in 1999.
Alongside his activities with Jean-Jacques Milteau, Manu Galvin has been sought after since 1991 by French singers to accompany them on record or on stage:
- Jane Birkin (concerts at Casino de Paris and tour in France and Canada in 1991)
- Véronique Rivière (FrancoFolies de la Rochelle in 1991)
- Maxime le Forestier (concerts at Olympia then tour in France and Canada in 1992; recording of albums "Le Forestier, la guitare et autres maximes" in 1994 then "Passer ma route" in 1995)
- Jean-Patrick Capdeviel (Fnac tour in 1993)
- Claudia Philips in 1993
- Renaud (albums "A la belle de Mai" in 1994 and "Brassens" in 1995; concerts at la Mutualité in 1995)
📅 Detailed Timeline
Years 1980-1985
- 1980: Tour in Europe and Africa with harmonica player Sugar Blue
- 1981: Formation of "Hot Cha" group; concerts with Melvin Taylor and Eddie Shaw
- 1982: Dreux guitar festival with Jimmy Johnson
- 1983: Bagneux blues festival with Jimmy Johnson
- 1984: Bagneux blues festival with Eddie Campbell
- 1985: Concerts with Benoît Blue Boy; concerts at "Rex Club" with Denis Badault
Years 1986-1990
- 1986: Recording "Tortillage" by Benoît Blue Boy; tours with Élisabeth Caumont
- 1987: Concerts with Jean-Claude Fohrenbach; FrancoFolies de La Rochelle
- 1988: Jazz festivals (Montreal, Nîmes, Sceaux); meeting with Jean-Jacques Milteau
- 1989: Recording "Acte 2" with E. Caumont; trio with J.J. Milteau and Chris Lancry
- 1990: Recording "Explorer" by J.J. Milteau (Victoires de la Musique)
Years 1990-2000
- 1991: Jane Birkin (Casino de Paris, Canada tour); Véronique Rivière
- 1992: Maxime le Forestier (Olympia, Canada); "Live" album by J.J. Milteau
- 1993: "Taratata" show; opening act for Eddy Mitchell at Casino de Paris
- 1994: Opening act for Eddy Mitchell at Zénith; Renaud's album "A la belle de Mai"
- 1995: Albums "Routes" by J.J. Milteau and "Passer ma route" by M. le Forestier
- 1996: Album "Merci d'être venus"; collaboration with Michel Haumont on Brassens
- 1997: "Sol En Si" tour; "Taratata" show with J.J. Milteau
- 1999: Album "Bastille Blues"; elected best acoustic guitarist at "France Blues" awards
🏆 Recognition
🏅 Elected best acoustic guitarist of 1999
"France Blues" Awards
Alongside his musician career, he leads training workshops and master classes and is an instructor in "Guitar and orchestral arrangement" at EF2M in Tourcoing.
📚 Teaching Activities
- Training workshops and guitar master classes
- Teaching at EF2M in Tourcoing
- Specialization: Guitar and orchestral arrangement
🔗 Découvrir Manu Galvin
📍 Guitar Pickers Association
Manu Galvin represents the excellence of French fingerstyle guitar. Discover the passion of picking guitar with Guitar Pickers Association and join our community of guitarists.