Gilles Apap

Who is Gilles Apap?

Gilles Apap is a French classical violinist. Born in Bougie, Algeria, he was raised in Nice, France. In 1985 he won first prize in the contemporary music category at the Yehudi Menuhin Competition. He served as concertmaster with the Santa Barbara Symphony in California for 10 years, but has since focused on his career as a soloist with orchestras around the world.

A virtuosic violinist, Gilles is well known for his love of, and respect for, traditional music from Eastern Europe to America and for his ability to convey an authentic sound to his audience, whether the music be gypsy, Irish, swing, or bluegrass.

He recorded three CDs in the 1990s with Sony Classical, then formed his own company, Apapaziz Productions, with the help of supportive friends. Since 1999, Apapaziz has recorded eight Gilles Apap CDs, the latest, "Gypsy Tunes...California Style, that Is", with the Transylvanian Mountain Boys.