The 10th Annual Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival is pleased to announce our 2013 line-up of invited artists. Musicians will be traveling to our idyllic beachside town from Mexico, the US, Canada, Poland, Spain, India, Cuba and Japan!
Chakrapani from India (2013)
The passionate and sensitive guitarist Chakrapani is one of the generation’s brightest stars with a career that promises to be illustrious and innovative. The Guitar in his hand produces the sweetest and most sensuous emotions that transcend one to the nether world. Chakrapani is truly a rare instrumentalist with a unique repertoire ranging from traditional, classical compositions on the slide guitar to his innovative, renditions on the Kachappi Veena. This maverick musician leaves every music lover spell bound with his flashes of unparalleled brilliance and his uncanny ability to strike an instant rapport with the audiences transcending all age barriers. »
Diego “El Twanguero” Garcia from Madrid, Spain (2013)
Spanish guitar wizard Diego Garcia is well known in Europe and South America for its genuine mix of styles including traditional Spanish music, tango, flamenco guitar and American roots. Also known as “El Twanguero” Garcia has appeared on stage in Argentina, Spain, France, USA, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Cuba along with his trio or Solo Guitar and has put his guitar to serve such artists as Andres Calamaro, Diego El Cigala, Wyclef Jean, Juanes, Fito Paez, Bunbury and Ely Guerra.
With three albums released under his own name and years of world tours, Diego comes in 2013 with two new projects: Argentina (electric tango featuring Calamaro, Bunbury, Diego El Cigala and Ely Guerra) and Music in Motion, a solo guitar album which unites the styles of South and North America with his personal style of Spanish guitar. »
Ernesto Lunagómez from Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico (2013)
Ernesto Lunagómez is considered the most important guitarist-composer of his generation in Mexico, and has been recognized in national and international guitar competitions.
His compositions have premiered in Thailand, Austria, Italy, Canada, Egypt, Spain, Indonesia, Brazil, Venezuela, and Mexico.
Lunagómez currently chairs the department of guitar and harmonic instrument at the University of Veracruz, is Director of a children’s choir, and has presented their productions ”Flight of Hopes” and “Mixtli” at international guitar festivals in Venezuela, Brazil and Mexico. He also serves as a jury member in national and international competitions. »
Jenny Kerr & Phil Milner from San Francisco, CA, USA (2004, 2005, 2009, 2009, 2012, 2013)
San Francisco native, Oxford drop-out, and reformed expat, Jenny Kerr is a poetic singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist (fingerstyle guitar, clawhammer banjo, harmonica, dobro, piano), who has toured Europe eight times on the country/blues/roots circuit, and headlined festivals in 13 countries.
As roadie for Bob Weir & Ratdog, Phil “Philbillie” Milner traded licks with the likes of Hot Tuna, Los Lobos, Bruce Hornsby’s band and The Black Crows in many a backstage and hotel room jam and also worked for Tracy Chapman, Bonnie Raitt, Primus, Graham Nash, and a few other cool players. Now Jenny Kerr’s long-time guitarist, he also engineers and produces her and others’ records, including Guitar Fest performer Amy Cunningham and guitar virtuoso Eric McFadden whose all-acoustic Devil Moon album is a number one pick on CDBaby.com. »
Jose Luis Cobo from Zihuatanejo, Mexico
(2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
Zihuatanejo’s own poet laureate and Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival Ambassador, José Luis Cobo. Local legend who has recorded and performed across Europe and Mexico but prefers to entertain his loyal following at his legendary Zihuatanejo bar, El Canto de las Sirenas, named after his hit song. »
Josue Tacoronte Otero from Cuba / Querétero, Mexico (2013)
As music director and colaborator in the flamenco genre, Josue Tacoronte Otero has been a part of the Spanish Ballet of Cuba, Spanish folklorico Ballet Proart, and Mexico Flamenco, among others.
He has participated in various international guitar festivals in Cuba, Spain, Morocco, France, Mexico and Peru.
He has collaborated on several CD productions as a player and arranger in Josue Tacoronte & SKPAO, Liuba Maria Hevia’s Iluminame, Jorge Peart’s Puntos Suspensivos, pop group Ragazzi’s Paulina Izquierdo & Derechos Reservados and his most recent Brouwer Flamenco. »
Kai & Goh Kurosawa from Japan & Los Angelas, CA, USA (2005, 2013)
Kai Kurosawa is considered by many to be one of the most versatile tap guitarist in the world today. He has developed many unique techniques for various genres of music and is constantly in demand for performances, recordings, and teaching sessions. When it comes to playing melody, chords and bass lines all at the same time, it is no easy task. On top of that Kai’s unique approach allows him to play freely and has been often described as sounding like a pianist.
Goh Kurosawa is recognized as a dynamic guitar instrumentalist throughout the west coast and Japan. He is often referred to as a musical approach to Western knowledge with the Japanese spirit, or in short a “musical wakonyosai.” Occasionally he strives to be as cool as Nyan‐Nyan: his blue eyed white tiger-like cat.
Goh has made appearances by performing and teaching at festivals, universities, clubs, among other live venues in the US, Canada, France, South Korea, Mexico, Taiwan, Brazil, and Japan. Other credits include collaborations with guitar giant Miroslav Tadic (The Grand Mothers Reinvented, David Torn, and Dusan Bogdanovic), Masaki Yamada of the legendary Japanese rock band Loudness, Grammy Award-winning jazz artist Charlie Haden, Kelli Ali (Linkin’Park, Bootsy Collins, and Marilyn Manson) of One Little Indian Records, Alan Paul of the Manhattan Transfer, fingerstyle guitarist Thomas Leeb, modern classical guitarist Roland Dyens, and master percussionist John Bergamo (Frank Zappa’s Abnuceals Emukka Orchestra, John McLaughlin’s Shakti, and Hands On’Semble). Currently Goh resides in Los Angeles, California. »
Kupinski Guitar Duo from Katowice, Poland (2013)
The Polish couple Ewa Jabłczyńska and Dariusz Kupiński completed their postgraduate studies at the Universität der Künste in Berlin and Hochschule für Musik in Weimar in the guitar class of Professor Thomas Müller-Pering. They have been honoured multiple times with prestigious awards and scholarships for artistic achievements. In 2011, their debut CD, Spanish Music, was released. Following the release of their album, this husband and wife duo has been gaining momentum and attracting fans throughout the Europe. Their reputation grows with each concert and master class they give. »
Lige Williamson from Boulder, CO, USA (2012, 2013)
Lige Williamson’s startling vocals and unique approach to stringed instrument playing display a fresh take on the Delta Blues. He has been traveling the continental United States alone in his car, playing music, and discovering what it truly means to have the blues since 2010. Recently, he has been performing in the Denver area, where he is a member of an electronic heavy jazz trio called Drop Odyssey. Lige performs solo, or as a duo with Kyle Stersic, saxophonist, long-time friend, and co-producer of his kick-ass album, I Was Born With Eyes Too Big for My Head. »
Los Pistoleros from Dallas, TX, USA (2009, 2010, 2011, 2013)
A unique blend of Flamenco, Pop, Lite Jazz. Los Pistoleros perform original and uniquely arranged cover music both instrumental and vocal. Taking time from their solo careers, recording artist-guitarist Kevin Schaelling, vocalist-guitarist Jason Hatch, and Flamenco guitarist Michael Stacy, have joined forces to form the eclectic Texas based musical group “Los Pistoleros.”
Los Pistoleros performances include both instrumental compositions and guitar accompanied vocal stylings with selections from Jazz, Pop, Rock, and Flamenco music. With the combination of romantic Flamenco guitars, burnin’ rock riffs and powerful vocals, a Los Pistoleros performance will surely leave you with a truly genuine musical experience! Viva! Viva! Viva! »
Paul Pigat from Vancouver, BC, Canada (2008, 2013)
Hailing from Vancouver, Canada, internationally renowned guitar player Paul Pigat has wowed audiences on four continents. His is a unique mixture of traditional Americana and technical virtuosity. Paul has appeared with an impressive list of artists, including Jakob Dylan, Neko Case, Jim Byrnes, and Brian Setzer, and tours extensively with his two main projects, Cousin Harley and Boxcar Campfire. Paul is also endorsed by Gretsch Guitars and tours as their clinician and workshop instructor. »
Paul Renna from Austin, TX, USA (2012, 2013)
Paul Renna is a visionary singer-songwriter with the extraordinary ability to raise hidden emotions in his listeners, surreptitiously forcing feelings of love, longing, happiness, and heartache from the depths of even the most hard-edged among us. With the release of his highly anticipated new album, Brothers and Sisters, available on iTunes, Renna seems to have broken through to a new plane of existence, exploring the deepest recesses of his heart and soul both lyrically and musically. »
Tom Freund from Venice, CA, USA (2005, 2013)
It’s with seemingly effortless ease which Tom Freund delivers his conversational lyrics and mellifluous melodies, schooled and widely traveled in a variety of genres from heartfelt folk to buoyant pop to boho jazz to rock ‘n’ roll, ultimately coming across as a singer-songwriter with his own distinctive and engaging voice.
His latest The Edge of Venice, produced by John Alagia (John Mayer, Jason Mraz) continues Tom’s California sound with songs featured in NBC’s Parenthood. Collapsible Plans produced by Ben Harper saw the duo perform live on Last Call With Carson Daly. The New York Times calls Tom “an unexpected gem.” »
***The Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival will be held March 3-10, 2013, in locations throughout Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. Venue information, ticket sales and the program will be announced as available in the coming weeks on this website as well as on our Facebook page.***
