You've seen him at various places around the island on both the Dutch and French Sides.

This smooth-talking Funk/Jazz guitarist from the South of France balances various gigs, both solo and with his band Pink House. He's also One White Chic's guitar player, teaches at a music school and is a family man. In this Hotseat, get to know Alban Charton!

Where are you from? Born in Paris, but grew up in Nice, France.

How many years have you been living here? 7 years.

Why did you move to St. Maarten? Love.

What do you do as a career here? Guitar player, music teacher.

How long have you been playing guitar? 15 years.

Musically what do you do here? Playing with bands or solo or jamming. ... I play a lot of Funk with my band Pink House and on solo I get the chance to catch up with my root style: jazz and more.

What's the best part about solo-gigging? Well, my mp3 is always on time, never complains and is always willing to practise new songs – ha ha! But of course, it allows me to play everywhere and give the best of my skills for a cheap price.

Please tell us about your music school! I teach in Concordia on the French side every afternoon from 2:00 to 6:00, from Monday to Friday. I teach guitar, but also provide piano classes for all levels at the best price on the French side.

Please tell us about your band! Pink House is my baby and I love this band! Sharing the Funk music with all different members has been a pleasure since the beginning of it. Last season was awesome and we hope to do better this year with the five-piece band concept. I decided to add a keyboard and I'm looking forward to see where that is going to bring the band musically.

What do you do in your free time? Spend time with my wife and my three-year-old daughter Alexandra and of course practise my instrument.

Where have you played solo and with Pink House?

Dutch Side: Taloula Mango, Holland House, Westin Hotel, Dinghy Dock, Captain Oliver's, Pineapple Pete, Three Palms, Boathouse, La Bamba, One Eleven, Mary's Boon, Bamboo Bernies, Bliss, Princess Casino, Esco Pazzo, Porto Cupecoy, Heineken Regatta.

French Side: Bali Bar, Bar de la Mer, La Samana, Terres Basses (private parties), Beach Plaza, Mercure Hotel, Front Mer in Marigot, Calmos Cafe, Blue Martini, Zen It, Rainbow Cafe, Le Shore, Cafecito, La Factory, L'Essentiel, Le Domaine, Radisson, La Playa, Bikinni, Kontiki, Planet Orient, Cote Plages, Club Orient, Mexicano, Loterie Farm, Bill Fish Tournament.

St. Barths: Do Brazil, Manapany Hotel, Le Before.

Where is your favourite place to perform on St. Maarten/St. Martin and why?

It all depends with the kind of show I'm coming with, but to give it a shot, I would say I feel really comfortable at Dinghy Dock in Oyster Pond, for the warm and friendly ambience, in Pineapple Pete for the crowd and Loterie Farm for its beauty.

What are your top three favourite songs and why?

Shake Everything You've Got from Maceo Parker, for its groove. Chill Out from Santana and John Lee Hooker, for the successful mix between J.L. Hooker's Serenity and C. Santana's Guitar Fever. C'est Si Bon from Birelli Lagrene in his excellent album Standards, for his amazing guitar skills.

Who writes and composes the original music for Pink House?

Well for now Pink House has been a band doing cover songs with his own flavour, I would say, but since I have a home studio, I've been working on ideas and I hope that this project will see the light soon. However, I do compose half of the backing tracks I use for my Solo Show.

What are your musical goals?

To reach a higher level in my playing and practising and learning as much as I can in order to sound as good as my idols, one of these days.

What is your favourite bar drink?

Presidente!

If you were having three famous people (dead or alive) over for dinner, who would they be and why? Maybe Dennis Chambers (drummer), Marcus Miller (bassist) and Herbie Hancock (pianist) to offer myself the best jam of my life!

Contact info: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , cell phone 06 90 57 95 27, landline 05 90 27 16 05

Check out Alban, who also has around 30 videos on YouTube: Alban Charton. Alban's music classes are located on the French side, in Concordia, and run every day from 2:00pm to 6:00pm. Guitar and piano classes for all levels.