Biography

Surprisingly it was the guitar that French flautist Guillaume Barraud started playing at a very young age, and it wasn’t until his encounter with the Indian music legend HARIPRASAD CHAURASIA that he began to find his own voice with the subtle, haunting sound of the bamboo flute. From 2001 to 2006, he devoted himself to the in-depth studies of North-Indian classical music with the maestro at his University “Vrindaban Gurukul” in Mumbai. Within a few years, he was able to assimilate the spirit and authenticity of the tradition, and has become a notable exponent of the Bansuri flute recital.

A versatile musician, Guillaume has performed with various artists such as Manu Eveno of French pop band TRYO (Quebec 2005), ERKAN OGÜR & MISIRLI AHMET (The Search Tour, Turkey, 2005), SAÏD CHRAÏBI (2008) and participated in TONY GATLIF’s European tour “VERTIGES” (2007). He has recorded for original soundtracks such as French documentary ‘Le Destin De L’Inde’ by Laurent Jaoui (ARTE 2012), Academy Award nominee for best foreign language film “TIMBUKTU” (2015), comedy-drama “FAHIM” (2019) with GERARD DEPARDIEU, animation film “THE SUMMIT OF THE GODS” (2021) and worked in collaboration with Oscar-winner Ludovic Bource. In 2021, Guillaume recorded on the album “Mychael Danna – Music For Film” along with the Brussels Philharmonic & Dirk Brossé (Silva Screen Records) at Flagey Hall and subsequently performed with the Tonhalle Orchester Zürich under the baton of Frank Strobel at the Zurich Film Festival (2021) and with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Adam Klemens at the Smetana Hall in Prague (2023), under the direction of Hollywood composer Mychael Danna.

In India, Guillaume had the privilege to perform with TRILOK GURTU (NCPA, Mumbai, 2006), HARIPRASAD CHAURASIA, T. S. Nandakumar South-Indian Percussion Ensemble, Arnab Chakrabarty, Babulal Gandharva and Sanket Naik. In 2020, shortly before the pandemic, he was invited to perform with his own quartet at the HRIDAY DRISHYAM MUSIC FESTIVAL in Bhopal and some of the most renowned jazz clubs in the sub-contiment.

It was in Paris (2007) where Guillaume began searching for new ways to use the bansuri outside its traditional form, getting involved in various creative projects and collaborations. His first album “AZAR” (Buda Records, 2013), co-produced with pianist Mathieu Bélis, showcased his skills as a composer, arranger and by 2015, he had launched his own quartet comprised of British guitarist Tam de Villiers, Reunionese bassist Johann Berby and Belgian drummer Xavier Rogé. Their debut album “Arcana: The Indo-Jazz Sessions” released on World Music Network / Riverboat Records UK (2018) has received excellent revues from the jazz critics; a second opus is in development. During the pandemic period, he teamed up again with pianist Mathieu Bélis to publish the album “Estampes” (2022) featuring Kevin Seddiki as special guest on guitar.

His work as a staff artist at the PHILHARMONIE DE PARIS allows him to promote the bansuri to new audiences through educational programs, and when performing in hospitals he brings music at patients’ bedsides. Guillaume has performed in various countries such as UK, Canada, Russia, Tunisia and throughout Europe, Turkey and India.