Julien was born in France to American parents in 1962. He spent his childhood as an Army child, moving from one part of the American south to another. He was inspired by Bob Dylan and The Beatles, and began playing the guitar when he was eight years old. Julien started touring in 1978 with Crosscut Saw, a blues/rock band that was based out of Tallahassee, Florida. Julien left Crosscut Saw after touring for several years with one album, which was recently reissued by Akarma. He wanted to explore new musical territory. After four years of gigging, he moved to Austin, Texas, where he was able to hone his skills among some of the city’s most talented musicians. Julien became frustrated with the lack of jazz musicians in Austin and accepted a scholarship at the University of Miami to study jazz. Julien worked hard through school to play in IKO IKO, Miami’s blues/roots mecca. This allowed him to share the stage alongside blues legends as well as touring musicians. Julien was able to organically incorporate the advanced concepts that he had learned in school through IKO IKO, an improvisational blues/jam group. Julien was able to accept a Jazz Guitar Fellowship at University of North Texas. This fellowship allowed him to return to Texas in 1992 for his Master’s Degree. While living in Dallas/Ft. Julien toured in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, expanding his musical horizons by playing in blues, rock and jazz groups, and launching the Julien Kasper Band (Steely Dan and Sting, Wayne Krantz). Julien now lives in Boston, Massachusetts. He is an instructor on Berklee College of Music’s guitar faculty and an avid all-season surfer. from http://www.julienkasper.com
