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Jonathan “Juanito” Pascual has been called “one
of the greatest American flamenco guitarists.” He is a multifaceted guitarist,
composer, and teacher who has performed in styles ranging from jazz and blues,
to classical guitar, klezmer, as well as flamenco. Based in Boston, Juanito
tours frequently throughout the U.S. and has played for most of the country’s
major flamenco dance companies including those of Omayra Amaya, Ramon de los
Reyes, Jose Greco II, Carlota Santana, La Repompa de Málaga, Inés
Arrubla, Susana di Palma, and Caminos Flamencos. He has performed in major
festivals around the country including the 2003 Tanglewood Jazz Festival, (broadcast
live on National Public Radio), Festival Flamenco Internacional in Albuquerque,
Yale’s International Festival of Arts and Ideas, and New York City’s
Fringe Festival.
As soloist and leader of his own ensemble Juanito has performed throughout
the country to rave reviews. He was a featured performer in Boston’s
Museum of Fine Arts, as part of their ‘Art of the Guitar’ concert
series in 2000 and has returned annually to sold-out audiences since 2003.
In addition, Juanito has performed along side some of today’s most acclaimed
artists from diverse ends of the musical spectrum, including Grammy Award-winning
artists, soprano Dawn Upshaw and jazz pianist Michel Camilo.
Since 2005 he has been the director of the Annual Summer Flamenco Institute
at New England Conservatory in Boston and has been seen and heard nationally
on a variety of TV and radio programs including NPR's "The World" and "Here
and Now".
He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Contemporary Improvisation from New
England Conservatory where he graduated with honors in 1997, and was Second
Prize winner in the 1996 New England Classical guitar Competition.
Juanito first picked up the guitar at age eleven discovering flamenco music
at age fifteen. This led him to Spain the following year where he was immersed
in the flamenco culture, studying with teachers including Adam del Monte, Parilla
de Jerez, Manolo Sanlucar, and El Entri. While at NEC Juanito’s teachers
included classical guitarists David Leisner and Eliot Fisk and jazz guitarist
Gene Bertoncini. Most recently, he has been mentored by the Boston-based maestro
Dimitri Goryachev.
In addition to a busy performance schedule, Juanito is very active as an educator,
both as private instructor in the Boston area, as well as lecturer/performer,
giving frequent presentations and workshops at colleges and schools throughout
the country. As a teacher he is devoted to the pursuit of guitar as a means
to reveal each individual’s unique musical and personal potential, and
to sharing the beauty, spirituality, and expressive power of the art of flamenco.
In 2003 Juanito completed his first CD “Cosas en Común” of
all original flamenco compositions. The work has received critical acclaim
and frequent radio play in the US. and abroad. In addition to touring with
his group Juanito collaborated on the Grammy-winning chamber opera Ainadamar
by Osvoldo Golijov, which had its debut at Tanglewood in 2003 and featured
soprano Dawn Upshaw. His music has been heard in a variety of short films,
as well as on television and radio. Currently Juanito is working on a number
of exciting projects including his second solo CD and a duo project with virtuoso
guitarist Grisha Goryachev.
For
booking information contact: carl@rainbowtalentagency.com (585)-723-3334
For general information: Mary@jpascual.com.
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