Jacques Stotzem

[chris c]

I just wanted to share my impressions about fingerstyle master Jacques Stotzem. I suppose he can't be considered an "Avalon artist" anymore, but he's had a long-lasting relationship with Lowden and Avalon, and his JS Signature model remains an outstanding guitar.

I recently went to a week-long workshop with him, which is really an extraordinary experience for anyone interested in fingerstyle guitar. He has the ability to share his knowledge and skills so that everyone can benefit from the lessons. He also has a lot of humour which makes a very pleasing atmosphere. He taught us some of his pieces step by step, such as "Pachacamac" (one of my favorites from the Live album) and "L'Autre Rive", from his latest album.

There was a students' concert where the French guitarist Michel Haumont was also present. The workshop closed with a fantastic concert by Jacques and Michel.

By the way, there were three students with an Avalon Jacques Stotzem signature model ! (the luckiest ones of course )

I highly recommend his CD's to anyone, especially Two Bridges, Sur Vesdre and Colours of Turner, although he has never made a bad CD !
Also, there is a brand new forum (forum.stotzem.com). The creation of the forum was decided one evening (with the usual good food and drink) at the workshop ! Anyone is invited to join in ! The languages are French and English

Chris

[chris c]

Hi John

I didn't know there was a JS video ! I do have a DVD ("In Taiwan") but have no idea where I can obtain this video ? Where was it published ? I'd love to have it because I play both pieces - the first fairly well, the second still needs some work.
Also I don't know of a CD called "Jacques Stotzem" on which he plays his Avalon ! And I thought I had them all I suppose it's a compilation because "Taxi trip in Belfast" is originally on the CD "Sur Vesdre" (played on a Lowden however) ???

An anecdote about "Taxi trip in Belfast" : in concert he once told that it's a hectic piece becauce he composed it in the back of a peak-hour taxi Belfast (he didn't tell who was driving the car ) ; the reason why there are some quieter moments in the piece is because the traffic lights turned red now and then...

At the workshop, I played my Avalon through his Fishman Loudbox amp... wow!! the perfect match !!! I love my Schertler amp, but have to tweak it a bit to get an optimal sound - with the Fishman and all controls set flat it was perfect

[chris c]

Many thanks, John.

I had seen the Fishman Aura video with the J Stotzem model. I also noticed on the Aura website that there are no less than 10 "sound image" downloads for this guitar, which is much more than almost all the other ones. I also suspect Fishman used this guitar to develop the Aura technology (I forgot to ask Jacques about it - he must know).