Serge Krief

Serge Krief was born in Paris on July 10, 1962. At fifteen , Serge had his first guitar. He was first attracted by Flamenco. The trio Paco de Lucia, Al Di Méola and John Mac Laughlin influenced him.

In May 1982 thousands of people discovered him at a festival in Paris. The concert was followed by a tour in the south of France during the summer.

In September 1982, he performed in the Manitas de Plata’s concert in Paris.

In May 1983, Serge discovered Django Reinhardt. He still listens to other great musicians like Wes Montgomery, Charlie Parker and John Coltrane.

From 1983-1987, Serge devotes all his time and energy to this music. Critics find his technique is unusual and unique.

Between 1987 • 1989, he appeared on different TV shows like Canal + (Nulle Part Ailleurs), France2 ( Am show ).

January 23rd 1990, during a concert at the famous Salle Pleyel, he gave a tribute to Django Reinhardt by reforming the legendary Quintet of the Hot Club de France with Babik Reinhardt, Richard Chiche on rythm guitar and Pierre Blanchard on violin. A few days later, the trio composed by Serge Krief, Richard Chiche and and Thierry Colson appeared at the Casino de Paris.

Which was much appreciated by the audience. March 28 1990 , Serge plays for an unforgettable concert in front of five thousand people at the Sava Centar of Belgrade in Serbia (A tribute to Django Reinhardt ).

In June 1987 he participated in the Samois Jazz Festival. And during the same year performed in a movie for the British TV produced by John Jeremy : "Django Legacy" wich was broadcast in France and other countries.

August 1990, Serge Krief performed in another movie, this time produced and directed by Alex Metayer (Mohamed Bertrand Duval). Serge played the soundtrack conducted by Babik Reinhardt with Marcel Azzola ( accordion ), Luigi Trussardi ( bass ), and Richard Chiche ( rythm guitar ).

July 1991, Serge took part in the Nice Jazz Festival, with his faithful partners Richard Chiche and Thierry Colson.

Also performing at the festival were the famous saxophonist Bill Evans and the guitarist John Mac Laughlin.

Serge is involved in soundtracks for movies and shows, and also continues to play in different jazz clubs in France and abroad.

He participated in the "Golden's Django" awards with the Emmanuel Beix's big band.

When in 1995, he began to concentrate more on modern jazz, be-bop and contemporary music.

George Benson and event that will change their life forever ...

During July 1998, Serge and Richard meet George Benson and event that will change their life forever as he discovers Serge Krief.

Whereby they are invited to the Antibes Jazz Festival and to Hamburg ( Germany ).

In August 1999 Serge and Richard are invited to New-York by George Benson who introduces them to the public at the famous " Blue Note " (Jazz Club).

The audience greeted their performance with thunderous applause and for the critics "it was an historic event"

November 1999 Charles Wizen, Serge Krief, Richard Chiche participated in the JAC Records Production "Swing 39" recorded in Québec Canada.

Following "Swing 39", a second CD was released "3rd Gipsy Jazz Guitar Festival", which was recorded live in june 1999 in England and in which Serge Krief and Richard Chiche participate in 3 tunes.

After all these recordings, the critics spoke about him and especially in the United States.George Benson himself, in an interview for "Just Jazz Guitar Magazine" November 2000 issue.

2001, Serge took a new musical way and performed with the great African drummer and Joe Zawinul's sideman, Paco Sery for a few gigs and he performed also with the great Indian violonist Mani L. Subramaniam. Serge create his own band "Acid-Bop Project" and will play a new style as groove and funk.

2002, he performed at the Half Note Jazz Club in Athènes Greece, Vienne Jazz Festival France with Bireli Lagrène and Richard Chiche in front of 8000 peoples, and for the opening act for Al Jarreau concert at the Park City International Jazz Festival Utah with others celebrities like Nathalie Cole, Rick Braun, Jesse Cook, Acoustic Alchemy, Phil Woods and Regina Carter, this time with his own compositions with Americans locals musicians. Serge's music have the taste of differents flavors like George Benson, Pat Martino and Frank Gambale well know for his incredible technique the "sweeping". The mix of these 3 styles give us a very great performer with sensivity, technic, and feeeling.

2006,Serge just recorded "Sea Breeze" his really first release on his name with the Hammond Organ B3 Legend,Dr Lonnie Smith !! and french musicians,Xavier Richardeau Baryton Sax and Laurent Robin,drums.10 compositions with a fabulous cover of Marvin Gaye hit,"What's Goin'On" - to be continue ... Show less