Although Julian Lage considers his music to be "biodegradable," he doesn't mean it in a way that would enthuse local eco-activists.
His work is environmentally friendly in the musical sense -- it spans so many genres that listeners don't have to step too far out of their comfort zones to appreciate what the band has to offer.
"You could listen to it in any environment, whether you like jazz or guitar," Lage said. "The music will somehow change the way a room felt."
The Julian Lage Group will perform tonight at the Schwab Auditorium, where the five musicians will show off their talents by combining jazz, blues, classical and folk music.
Lage, a guitarist, recently debuted his first album as leader, Sounding Point, released in March of this year.
Beginning his musical career at the age of 5 when his dad introduced him to guitar, Lage said he began practicing religiously. At 7, he began to play on a more professional level.
His first recording project with David Grisman jumpstarted his professional career and led to other calls from those who heard him. But he still credits his first guitar teacher with teaching him how to make music a career and develop as an artist.
Center for Performing Arts Marketing and Communications Director Laura Sullivan said Lage, now 21, has made a name for himself at a young age -- he has been referred to as a child prodigy in the past. She thinks Lage is on his way to "super stardom," having worked with artists including Béla Fleck, Herbie Hancock, Gary Burton, Christian McBride and Chris Thile.
Lage said he would rather not focus too much on the fame and establishment aspect of his career.
"I think you just connect with greater groups of people -- the goal is to share the normality with it," he said.
Lage noted that Penn State's music program was one thing that attracted the Julian Lage Group in booking the show.
"Penn State has a wonderful music program that we are very fortunate to be asked to be a part of," Lage said.
Lage leads the group of artists who he said are his favorite people: saxophonist Ben Roseth, cellist Aristides Rivas, bassist Jorge Roeder and percussionist Tupac Mantilla.
