Michel Dalle Ave

Michel Dalle Ave

Michel Dalle Ave is a French guitarist and composer, born in Agen in 1958. His musical journey began in 1973, at the age of 15, when he discovered the guitar as a self-taught musician, fascinated by the expressive freedom of folk music.

He quickly developed a personal style shaped by many influences: jazz, blues, classical and contemporary music, as well as South American and Celtic traditions, all contributing to a sensitive style that is both accessible and sophisticated.

Based in south-west France, he has built a distinctive career combining performance, composition and recording. Since the 2000s, he has performed in concerts as a solo artist and in various formations — guitar-and-drums duos, singer accompaniment and guitar ensembles. He is regularly invited to international festivals and workshops, and his works are now part of the repertoire of many performers.

His music, characterised by clear melodic lines and particular attention to harmony and natural rhythm, has been published since 2009 by Les Productions d’Oz in Quebec. This editorial partnership has led to a catalogue of more than 80 original guitar compositions, including works published in his various collections — a body of work recognised for its stylistic diversity and musicality, and now performed in many countries.

Several of his works have also been selected for international guitar competitions, including “À Nîmes ta guitare” and “Drôme de Guitares”, reflecting the growing presence of his repertoire among young guitarists and performers.

In 2025, the American magazine Fingerstyle Journal, published in Nashville and edited by guitarist Bill Piburn, devoted a multi-page interview to him, highlighting his career, musical world and work as a composer. More recently, in 2026, Guitare Classique Magazine, a French magazine dedicated to the guitar, also featured his work by publishing two of his pieces.