Julian Catford
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.
Best of the Bash 2024 & 2023, Best of Gig Salad, Seattle Bride Magazine’s ‘Best of 2014’ and 2013, & the Best of Western Washington’.
Reviews
11 reviews
Jean J.
June 19, 2025Lovely
Beautiful variety of songs - just right for the occasion
Hired as: Classical Guitarist
Elizabeth O.
September 23, 2023Fabulous guitarist
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.
Hired as: Classical Guitarist, Flamenco Group, Guitarist, Jazz Guitarist
Bradley B.
September 8, 2021Exceptionally Talented and Professional
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.
Hired as: Guitarist
Kristin P.
August 29, 2019Just perfect!
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!
Hired as: Guitarist
Teri G.
October 28, 2018Amazing talent and professionalism
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!
Hired as: Classical Guitarist
Booking information
Price range: Contact for rates
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
Past booked events
June 2025
14
Saturday
Personal Occasion
2:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Bainbridge Island, WA
May 2025
17
Saturday
Wedding Reception
5:30pm - 9:30pm
•
Seattle, WA
December 2024
03
Tuesday
Corporate Event
12:00pm - 2:30pm
•
Bellevue, WA
December 2023
13
Wednesday
Cocktail Party
4:00pm - 7:30pm
•
Seattle, WA
October 2023
19
Thursday
Corporate Event
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Lynnwood, WA
September 2023
22
Friday
Rehearsal Dinner
5:30pm - 8:00pm
•
Seattle, WA
August 2022
28
Sunday
Anniversary Party
1:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Seattle, WA
August 2021
28
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 4:30pm
•
Camano Island, WA
August 2019
24
Saturday
Cocktail Party
3:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Kirkland, WA
October 2018
27
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
4:30pm - 6:30pm
•
Seattle, WA
06
Saturday
Anniversary Party
6:30pm - 7:30pm
•
Bellevue, WA
September 2018
30
Sunday
Launch Party
2:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Tacoma, WA
August 2017
09
Wednesday
Corporate Event
4:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Bellingham, WA
July 2017
15
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:30pm - 5:00pm
•
Seattle, WA
November 2016
02
Wednesday
Grand Opening
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Seattle, WA
July 2016
16
Saturday
Grand Opening
7:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Maple Valley, WA
April 2016
16
Saturday
Birthday (Adult)
6:30pm - 10:30pm
•
Seattle, WA
October 2015
01
Thursday
Cocktail Party
5:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Seattle, WA
September 2015
23
Wednesday
Cultural Event
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Kirkland, WA
August 2015
06
Thursday
Corporate Event
5:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Federal Way, WA
January 2015
31
Saturday
Birthday Party
7:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Redmond, WA
22
Thursday
Private Party
4:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Seattle, WA
December 2014
04
Thursday
Halloween Party
7:00pm - 11:00pm
•
Seattle, WA
July 2014
23
Wednesday
Other
2:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Seattle, WA
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.