Jean-Marie Ecay is a French guitarist whose distinctive touch has become his signature across jazz and pop. Since beginning his professional career in the 1980s, he has worked both as a sought-after sideman and as a bandleader. He has released eight albums under his own name, as well as a live DVD and instructional videos.
As a sideman, he has worked extensively with Billy Cobham, Didier Lockwood and Claude Nougaro, performing thousands of concerts and contributing to notable recordings.
He has also worked regularly with artists including Richard Galliano, Eddy Louiss, Jean-Luc Ponty, Alain Caron, Térez Montcalm, Éric Le Lann, Jean-Félix Lalanne, Bernard Lubat, Jorge Pardo and Carlos Benavent.
His occasional live and studio collaborations include Joan Baez, Barbara, Randy Brecker, Gino Vannelli, Stanley Clarke, Jacques Higelin, Michel Jonasz, Mylène Farmer, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diane Tell, Michel Portal, Eddie Gomez, Charlier–Sourrisse, Michel Legrand and Robben Ford.
His credits span more than 350 recordings across a wide range of musical styles.
He taught at Guitar-Sessions 2026, a workshop organised by the American School of Modern Music.