Your list is empty.
Save musicians, entertainers, speakers, and services, and they’ll appear here.
Julian Catford
- Port Townsend, WA
- Classical Guitarist
- Travels up to 120 miles
- Varies by time, distance, day.
Overview
One of the region’s top guitarists with years of experience. Spanish & Flamenco guitar, Classical, Brazilian, Tango, Gypsy swing, and Flamenco jazz (solo and small groups).
Clients include Google, the Seattle Opera, Microsoft, Boeing...
Experience: Classical guitar studies with Guillermo Fierens (a student of Segovia), years of performing experience, including four years at the Hyatt Regency, the Columbia Tower Club, Hollywood Schoolhouse, the Willows, and on CD recordings. Julian has performed at hundreds of weddings and events.
He was a finalist in Seattle Bride Magazine’s ‘Best of 2014’ and 2013, and Rated in the top 5 for 2014 and 2012 on ‘the Best of Western Washington’.
10 Reviews
Julian’ performance at our event was perfect. He was very easy to work with, arrived on time, and most important, he is so incredibly talented. His playing is effortless, elegant, and he is the epitome of professional. Julian has a large repertoire from classical standards to Spanish guitar music (my favorite). If that weren’t enough, he also kindly stepped in when we had audio trouble for something unrelated to his playing. Dozens people at our small event asked me who he was and said how much they enjoyed his lovely guitar playing. Exactly what we’d hoped for. A huge thank you to Julian for making our event so lovely.
Flamenco Group, Guitarist, Jazz Guitarist, Classical Guitarist
Julian played during our wedding and was amazing to work with. He was communicative, informative, helpful, and punctual throughout the entire experience. He pulls from a wide array of styles and an extended catalogue of songs and plays all of it at an incredibly high level. His consultation was exceptional as he walked us through the pacing and structure of our ceremony and offered suggestions based on his experience as an event performer. This was really helpful as it helped us shape our ceremony around his advice. Everything came together great as a result. He was flexible as we made our choices of songs and genres we wanted represented throughout the ceremony. He was also super friendly. We would definitely recommend Julian for your next event.
Guitarist
Julian recently played at the annual garden party for our donors and couldn't have been more perfect! He was so great to work with, professional, timely, flexible, and attentive to our needs. He is a talented musician and chose all the right music to entertain our guests but to also blend into the background for optimal ambiance. I couldn't be happier with our choice!
Guitarist
Mr. Catford played for our daughter's wedding ceremony and cocktail hour. He graciously learned and played the songs she and the groom requested for the ceremony. Words are insufficient for how great he played--it was beautiful! Because the venue was new to him, he arrived earlier than contracted and played lovely selections that calmed our vendors while they prepared. He selected appropriate music for the cocktail hour as well. He is talented, respectful, and very professional. Our guests really enjoyed the music; we highly recommend him--he will not disappoint!
Classical Guitarist
Julian’s music was the perfect compliment to our evening! He arrived on time, was professional and accommodating. Highly recommend, you will be thoroughly delighted with his talent.
Jazz Guitarist
Response from Julian Catford:
Thanks Suzanne - Congratulations on your anniversary again!
It was great to play for you and your guests.
Julian C
So easy to work with....and definitely added a lovely touch to our event.
Classical Guitarist
We were extremely happy with Julian and his extensive playlist that worked perfectly for our Dia de los Muertos event. He worked with us in advance to plan the event, arrived early to setup and played an amazing playlist of music throughout the evening. We will ask Julian to play future events for us and would highly recommend Julian to anyone looking for an outstanding performance.
Guitarist, Jazz Guitarist, Classical Guitarist
Response from Julian Catford:
Thank you Shawn, it was a pleasure to play for you and everyone there.
I got a real feeling of community.
I look forward to working with you again in the future.
All the best, Julian C
Julian’s guitar music was soothing, melodious, never intrusive, and provided the perfect backdrop to a warm, dry, wonderful
evening on the water at The Center for Wooden Boats. He performed for my husband’s birthday party. His selection of music would appeal to most tastes, and he helpwas easily able to satisfy specific requests. Julian was very pleasant to work with, very communicative, and we highly recommend him.
Guitarist
We hired Julian to play recently at an exhibit opening for the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, Northwest Chapter. He was very easy to communicate with, and required very little explanation of what our objectives were beyond, "Beautiful, mood-enhancing classical guitar." He arrived on-time, well-dressed and brought with him some small yet quite ingenious amplification equipment that was easy to set up and filled the space with gorgeous, well-balanced sound that was not at all overbearing. I would recommend Julian to anyone planning a similar event.
Classical Guitarist
Response from Julian Catford:
Thank you Adrian, it was a pleasure to play for you and everyone at the ICAA art exhibit opening. Wonderful paintings and I liked seeing what Hyde Park Mouldings does. Really nice.
Julian performed for our holiday dinner party and was outstanding. He is a talented musician with a wonderful playlist. His professionalism allowed me to focus on other party planning needs with confidence that the music would be great. He contacted me in a timely way to discuss details, he knew exactly what was needed for a successful event and he took the initiative to contact & work with the venue. I would certainly work with Julian again.
Guitarist, Classical Guitarist
Booking Info
Price Range: Varies by time, distance, day.
Gig Length: 60 - 200 minutes
Unions: AFM
About
Studied classical guitar with Carlos Barbosa-Lima and Guillermo Fierens (a student of Andres Segovia). Recently attended master class/workshop with guitarist and composer Maximo DIego Pujol on Argentine Tango and Milonga, and prior to that with Argentinean guitarist VIctor Villadandgos as part of the Sierra Nevada Classical Guitar Festival, and studied and performed with Brazilian musicians Arnaldinho do Cavaco, and Hamilton De Holanda.
Julian has performed in Mallorca, Spain, Scotland, Tahiti, and Mexico, and appeared as a guest artist on television. He has accompanied Rosemary Clooney and Cab Calloway.
He has performed at most of the Seattle areas best hotels and event venues, and has worked for years with many of the areas wedding and event planners.
He is adjunct faculty of guitar at Seattle Pacific University. Search for him on the internet.
Accompanied such notables as The Mills Brothers, Ed Ames, Little Anthony, Kenny Garrett, Robert Merrill, Patrice Muncell of the New York Metropolitan Opera, Cab Calloway and Rosemary Clooney.
Recorded his own CD Sonoroso, with Julian Catford Trio on Northwest Passage CD, a band member and composer on the latest CD by French group Rouge - Cafe Bonbon, and as guest artist on Skye Cantrell's CD - Blame It On My Youth, jazz vocalist Lincoln Briney's CD - Five, recorded with saxophone great Freddy Greenwell, and on vocalist Janis Mann's CD - A Little Moonlight, and as accompanist on Isaac Azose's CD - Ladino Reflections, and on Linda Capaluto's Galanica - Ladino Romanzas .
Composed and performed music for CD's: French, Italian, German, and Spanish in 10 minutes a day AUDIO CD's
Additional Booking Notes
I use a Bose Compact amplifier which is small but distributes the sound without being loud in front. It is very high quality and has a small footprint and looks nice.
For large events I add a powered speaker with or without a tripod.
Services Offered
Upcoming Booked Events
May 17, 2025 • 5:30pm - 9:30pm | Wedding Reception |
Past Booked Events
December 03, 2024 • 12:00pm - 2:30pm | Corporate Event |
December 13, 2023 • 4:00pm - 7:30pm | Cocktail Party |
October 19, 2023 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Corporate Event |
September 22, 2023 • 5:30pm - 8:00pm | Rehearsal Dinner |
August 28, 2022 • 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Anniversary Party |
August 28, 2021 • 3:00pm - 4:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
August 24, 2019 • 3:00pm - 6:00pm | Cocktail Party |
October 27, 2018 • 4:30pm - 6:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
October 06, 2018 • 6:30pm - 7:30pm | Anniversary Party |
September 30, 2018 • 2:00pm - 7:00pm | Launch Party |
August 09, 2017 • 4:00pm - 7:00pm | Corporate Event |
July 15, 2017 • 3:30pm - 5:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
November 02, 2016 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Grand Opening |
July 16, 2016 • 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Grand Opening |
April 16, 2016 • 6:30pm - 10:30pm | Birthday (Adult) |
October 01, 2015 • 5:00pm - 9:00pm | Cocktail Party |
September 23, 2015 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Cultural Event |
August 06, 2015 • 5:00pm - 8:00pm | Corporate Event |
January 31, 2015 • 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Birthday Party |
January 22, 2015 • 4:00pm - 6:00pm | Private Party |
December 04, 2014 • 7:00pm - 11:00pm | Halloween Party |
July 23, 2014 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Other |
Set List
PARTIAL LIST of SONGS - I HAVE MANY MORE
Corcovado - bossa nova - A C Jobim
Canon in D - Pachelbel
Brigas Nuncas Mais - A C Jobim
El Choclo - tango - trad.
Wedding March - Mendelssohn
Besame Mucho - Consuelo Velasquez
Sons de Carilhoes - Pernambuco
Romanza (Spanish folk song) - anonymous
Jesu Joy of mans desiring - Bach
Recuerdos de la Alhambra - Tarrega
Asturias (Leyenda) - Albeniz
Sabor A Mi - Alvaro Carrillo
Prelude in d minor - Bach
One Note Samba - A C Jobim
Meditation - A C Jobim
Preludes - Villa Lobos
Norwegian Wood - Beatles
Alegrias - flamenco/trad
Manha de Carnival (Bossa Nova) - L Bonfa
Ave Maria - Schubert
Variations on the Magic Flute(Mozart) - Fernando Sor
Minuet - Allegro - Andantino - Fernando Sor
Lagrima - Francisco Tarrega
Cello Suite No. 1 - Bach
Study in Aminor & Amajor - Carcassi
Etudes - - Villa Lobos
Girl From Ipanima - C. Jobim
The Shadow of Your Smile - Mercer
Capricho Arabe - F. Sor
Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
The Days of Wine and Roses - H. Mancini
All the Things We Are - Hammerstein/Kern
Willow Weep for Me - Ann Ronell
Malaguena - Flamenco
La Comparsita - Tango
Setup Requirements
Straight back/armless chair, electric power.