Jacques Stotzem

Instruments : Guitar, Composer
Date of birth : 17/07/1959 - Verviers

"Jacques, you 'pick' like a demon !"

TOOTS THIELEMANS

In the acoustic guitar world today, Jacques Stotzem is one of the "fingerstyle" guitarists with the most diversified style. Born in 1959 in Verviers, the Belgian guitarist has recorded 8 CDs and is high up on the list for fans of the acoustic guitar. Readers of the influential German acoustic guitar magazine "Akustik Gitarre" have likened Stotzem to artists such as Leo Kottke, Paco De Lucia, Neil Young and Keb' Mo'.

That's not really astonishing. His unique and highly refined playing style combines a well-developed melodic sense with a rare dynamic approach to the instrument that speaks directly to the listener. Jacques, unlike many guitar players today, possesses an in-depth sense of harmonic knowledge, which is evident throughout his compositions. All of this is cemented together by his perfect command of the instrument and by his optimistic personality.

Jacques Stotzem has become a regular guest at European and American festivals and is often invited for tours in Japan or Taiwan.

A highlight in his career is the "Jacques Stotzem signature guitar" released in 2003 by the Irish guitar company Avalon. His guitar-playing colleague Larry Coryell described Jacques as follows : "What he plays is pure music. As an instrument he uses the guitar, which he knows very, very well."

FROM THE PRESS:

"Jacques' blend of ragtime and introspective fingerpicking goes down as smoothly as his native Belgium's luscious dark chocolate."

" Interesting was also the question concerning your musical preferences. On the top places, we find Jacques Stotzem as well as Neil Young, Paco De Lucia, Keb' Mo' or Leo Kottke. "
AKUSTIK GITARRE, GERMANY 12/98 (readers poll)

"Belgian guitarist Jacques Stotzem is a formidable musician who matches finesse with a solid blues-based drive."
ACOUSTIC GUITAR, USA 05/1999

" For those of you who, in frustration with the whole new acoustic genre, have thrown up your hands, dis-missing it as aimless open-tuning meandering, dren-ched in oceanic reverb, I have two words for you : Jacques Stotzem. "
FINGERSTYLE GUITAR, USA 05/1998

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

USA :