Now's the Time: Julian Lage

I should know better than to judge a man by his haircut. Based on his clean-cut appearance, I automatically assumed that guitarist Julian Lage was a jazz traditionalist in the mold of John Pizzarelli. Lage, 23, isn't like that at all. He mentions Pat Metheny, David Grisman and Bela Fleck in an EPK from 2009. Lage is actually a newgrass artist in the mold of Chris Thile and Kansas-based guitar hero Andy McKee. Joe Klopus previewed Lage's Monday appearance at the Blue Room and Todd Clouser's concert Sunday at the Record Bar.