|  |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | Bio of the Artist | A BRIEF BIO
I have been playing blues, rock, latin, classical, ragtime, and jazz guitar professionally for over 30 years and composed an original catalog of acoustic and electric guitar instrumentals in new hybrid blends such as country classical, blues reggae, and latin blues. I also perform my own chord/melody arrangements of classic Brazilian and Jazz standards.
Over the years my band 'The San Miguel Project' has featured such musical talents as Lawrence Dixon (Wilson Pickett) on keys, Larry Washington (Tina Turner) on drums, Rick Fierbracci (Yanni, Frank Gambale) on bass, Joel Taylor (Alan Holdsworth, Brian Bromberg) on drums, and Paul Kerstan (Kiluea) on drums.
In 1999 my first album 'The San Miguel Project' was Arizona University Recordings' Grammy nominee entry in the Best New Artist and Best Pop Album categories.
ANCIENT HISTORY
I was born on January 31, 1953 in Colon, Panama. My hard working parents immigrated to New York City where our large family of five brothers and one sister lived until 1963, just when the Beatles were arriving on the international music scene. My family then moved to California where my ear latched on to an eclectic blend of pop, rock, and jazz influences, everything from Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, to the Doors, to The Mahavishnu Orchestra, to Carlos Santana.
But it was Carlos who influenced me the most, particularly on a spiritual level. Of course musically as well, but it was the completely inspirational quality of his mid-70s recordings "Caravanserai", "Welcome", and "Borboletta" which really motivated me as a player. Eventually I wanted to catalyze in my own playing the same kinds of inspired emotions Carlos had evoked in me. There were other albums from that period which moved me as well. Robin Trower's "Bridge of Sighs" and McLaughlin's "Birds of Fire" were mind expanding masterpieces. But it was Carlos who made my heart soar the highest.
In 1984 I enrolled in Hollywood's Guitar Institute of Technology (now the Musician's Institute). The experience at GIT was a turning point for me as a player. Until then I always had the desire and talent, though not the confidence to believe I could play on the highest professional level. But it was the GIT experience which led me to develop a jazz vocabulary and eventually compose and record my first album The San Miguel Project. | | |
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