Elegy Bio

"I listened to many players, Ritchie Blackmore, Al di Meola, Steve Morse, Ronnie Montrose...it was that guitar 'sound'! I was 17, it was late to start playing, but I had to...that 'sound' - it captivated me!" (P.Rondat 1997)



With his roots in rock music, Patrick very quickly realised the benefits of studying a diverse and varied range of musical forms and techniques, and the ability to adapt and utilise this knowledge in his constant quest for a unique and personal sound.



Patrick Rondat has developed a playing technique that is natural and uninhibited - a skill factor and technicality attained by vision, passion and dedication to his art, he plays with grace, fluidity, power and intensity! His mastery of both electric and acoustic guitar is incomparable. His use of effects and enhancements is professional and unobtrusive as he combines different musical styles, intricate harmonies, subtle tempo variations, amazing themes and melodies into a sound that is radically distinctive and personal!



Patrick produced and released a 4 track demo in 1987, that impressed a lot of people in the music world, as he announced



"This is MY sound…this is what I do!" (P. Rondat)



1989 - A tour as main support act for Blue Oyster Cult - previewed his debut album. 'Just For Fun' produced by Bobby Bruno released on UK /International label Food for Thought, Oct 1989 - a rich and demonstrative album, winning immediate acclaim from the press and the Rock world.



It was refreshing, with the advent of so many speed players, to find one who played fast but maintained an individuality and professionalism in his work. A fact that was noted by the press, the media and many already well established bands, notably Queensryche, Black Crows, Trust, Angra, AC/DC, Metallica, Joe Satriani and many more - with all of whom Patrick has had a working affiliation.



1991 - The release of his second album 'Rape of the Earth', produced by Steve Prestage (Gary Moore, Gino Vannelli...etc), further established the superior artistry, talent and progression of Patrick Rondat. The promotional tour included a BBC session and ended at Monsters of Rock, the support act for Metallica and AC/DC.



Cannes Guitar Festival brought together Patrick Rondat, Tony McAlpine and Stu Hamm (bass /Joe Satriani) a trio of musical excellence playing the grand finale - a medley of songs from their respective repertoires.



1993 - After hearing 'Rape of the Earth', Jean Michel Jarre contacted Patrick regarding the possibility of a Rock/EM fusion. The resulting album, 'Chronologie' released May 1993, was followed by a Tour of Europe finishing in Hong Kong April 1994. The spectacular Barcelona concert from the Tour was broadcast on TV and later released on video.



1994 - For Patrick another visit to Cannes, this time with Steve Lukather and Simon Phillips, followed by an invitation to play the support act for Gary Moore in France.



1995 - Working again with Jean Michel Jarre - July 14th 1995 - Patrick premiered his arrangement of 'The Summer Concerto' by Vivaldi – the concert was attended by approximately 2 million people.



1996 - With many new concepts in his mind Patrick concentrated on the preparation of his third album, signing to the French label FDM and accepting the offer of production from Jean Michel Jarre.



'Amphibia' with Tommy Aldridge (drums-Whitesnake), Phil Woindrich (keyboards), Patrice Guers (bass), and Patrick Rondat (electric and acoustic guitars) was released in France April 1996, a promotional mini-tour, an interview on MCM and substantial press attention ensued. Exclusive interviews with Japanese Rock mags 'Burrn' and Young Guitar preceded the album release in Japan.



1997 - the 'Amphibia Tour' of France - enthralled the press and amazed and delighted the public and was followed by a ‘live' release!



The subsequent European release of 'Amphibia', (LMP) with the original 12 tracks + 2 bonus ‘live' tracks Burn Out and Just For Fun - received considerable media attention - interviews and positive reviews appeared in major music magazines throughout Europe.



1998 - Attracting the attention and respect of international guitar hero, Joe Satriani, Patrick was invited to play on the G3 Tour in France. The French and world Guitar Press picked this one up, and articles on Patrick Rondat and his career, featured in Guitar and Rock music magazines globally! Tracks from Patrick's CD's have since been broadcast globally on Internet and satellite radio stations.



1999 - His reputation and credibility at an all time high, the 4th studio album 'On the Edge' was released March 13th in France (FDM) and concurrently in Europe (LMP). This received massive media interest from the outset, major guitar magazines Hard Rock, Hard Force, Guitar and many more - featuring interviews and very favourable reviews. The combination of Tommy Aldridge (drums-Whitesnake) bringing once again his own dynamic style of drumming, Phil Woindrich (keyboards), Patrice Guers (bass), and Patrick Rondat (electric and acoustic guitars), remains the same as for Amphibia.



The inclusion of two very special guest artists - world renowned and loved jazz pianist - Michel Petrucciani and the unique violin genius of Didier Lockwood bring a wholly new and hitherto unheard dimension and colour, revealing Patrick's love of jazz/rock fusion.



An invitation came from Ian Parry (vocalist of Elegy) – to join him in a new project. Whilst considering his next career move Ian had the idea to try and do something very different. He invited some very highly skilled musicians from Europe and the rest of the world to work with him, and see what developed. The result was the album Consortium Project. The Tour of Europe that followed the release continued the idea of ‘something completely different' – Ian took a mélange of three different bands on Tour with him – Elegy, Vanden Plas and Patrick Rondat Band – and a playlist that included songs from each band as well as the new Consortium Project.



Discussion between the members of Elegy resulted in Patrick being asked if he would consider joining them – an offer that he was happy and proud to accept.



In a career spanning more than a decade (and a century!) Patrick has indulged his passion for instrumental music – but his musical vision goes beyond that. To categorise the work of Patrick Rondat does him an injustice. His compositions and performances are the embodiment of his passion and dedication not only to instrumental rock, but also to the power and versatility of the guitar as a musical instrument.