Long biography
Carles GR: A versatile creator in music, theater, and literature
Born in Barcelona, Carles GR discovered early on that the guitar was his means of expressing himself beyond words. After completing five years of higher studies at the prestigious Aula de Música Moderna y Jazz in his hometown, he began his professional journey in the vibrant Catalan music scene. His search for new horizons took him to Paris, a city that marked a turning point in his artistic career.
In 1999, after establishing a strong reputation in Parisian jazz clubs, he released Les Sens, his debut album as a leader. This record, composed of ten original tracks, stood out for its refined melodies and the crystalline sound that became his hallmark. In 2001, he followed up with Fables, a second album that consolidated his position as a composer and jazz guitarist. With these two works, Carles embarked on a series of successful tours across France, Spain, and Belgium, earning acclaim from audiences and critics alike.
In 2007, Carles presented Tribute to Michael Brecker, his third album, paying homage to the renowned American saxophonist. This project featured original compositions by Carles and was accompanied by a one-month tour in South America, with concerts in Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina.
Throughout his career, Carles has produced numerous albums: Duet (2011), with Aude Lothelet, a dynamic project sung in three languages; The Impossible Dream (2011), a collaboration with Ignasi Terrassa, Pierre Boussaguet, André Ceccarelli, and Austin O’Brien; Reflejos (2012), a remarkable duet album with Pierre Boussaguet produced by Swit Records; Horizon (2017), with manouche guitarist Sacha Nemmar; Palmas & Jazz: En busca del duende (2017), a vibrant fusion of flamenco and jazz with French guitarist Pablo Gibaux. In 2019, he collaborated on Sea of Stars, an album by English singer Zelda, where Carles co-wrote some tracks while Zelda wrote others, yet he arranged the entire album. In 2024, he is set to release his first solo album, La Trilogie du Temps, exploring his electronic universe.
Carles GR has also made his mark as an actor and composer for theater. He wrote and performed the soundtrack for La Guild: Quand le jazz s’en mêle…, a play that highlighted both his music and his acting talent, confirming his multidisciplinary abilities.
In parallel, Carles ventured into literature, coauthoring two books with Norman painter Sophie Dechamps-Génet: Au Veriden and Cap sur mes origines. These works explore themes of identity, memory, and art, reaffirming his interest in interdisciplinary dialogue.
Since settling in Normandy over 16 years ago, Carles GR has worked tirelessly to promote jazz in the region. He served as the artistic director of the Festival International de Jazz de Louviers for 15 years, establishing it as a cultural landmark. He also created the Festijazz mômes in Pont-de-l’Arche, a festival dedicated to introducing young audiences to jazz, which he directed for three years. More recently, he launched the IN Jazz Festival in the Plateau Est of Rouen, continuing his mission to bring jazz to new audiences.
In 2012, Carles GR founded his own recording studio, Choza Records, a space where he recorded three of his albums and welcomed various regional artists to bring their musical projects to life.
Throughout his career, Carles has shared the stage with renowned musicians such as Philippe Combelle, Pierre Boussaguet, and Ignasi Terrasa, and has performed in iconic venues like the Sunside (Paris), the Cova del Drac (Barcelona), and numerous international festivals.
Carles GR continues to explore jazz as a universal language, blending music with other arts to build bridges between cultures, emotions, and disciplines.