Bert Lams graduated with a concert level degree in classical guitar studies at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels in 1984. Two years later he attended a Guitar Craft seminar taught by legendary guitarist Robert Fripp that would change his outlook on music forever. \'Robert introduced me to the New Standard Tuning, Based on fifths (C-G-D-A-E-G) using a steel string guitar with plectrum or pick,\' states Lams. \'This tuning is, in principle, the same as the cello, violin and viola tuning. It opened a new door for me. The cello and violin repertoire suddenly became much more accessible and I returned to the Bach repertoire with renewed enthusiasm.\' In 1990, Lams moved to Los Angeles and formed the California Guitar Trio with Paul Richards and Hideyo Moriya. The trio has released eleven CD releases, and is continuously touring the world.