Home » Jazz Musicians » John Walsh

John Walsh

John Walsh is Ireland’s leading Flamenco Guitarist.

An accomplished musician and composer, John has been performing solo since 2006.

After obtaining a Diploma with distinction in classical guitar from Trinity College London in 2006, John dedicated his studies exclusively to Flamenco guitar. He studied with guitarist Francisco Garcia in Dublin before travelling to Algeciras, Spain, home of the legendary Paco de Lucia to study with Salvador Andrades. He has since studied with other masters of Flamenco such as Jose Manuel Leon and Juan Antonio Suarez.

John was one of the 10 musicians (and the only guitarist) chosen for the 2009 ‘Musicians of the Future’ concert in the National Concert Hall performing 2 original compositions composed specially for the concert.

Along with performing concerts throughout Ireland and venues in Spain and the UK, he has performed in one of the most historically important flamenco venue’s ,’El Candela’ in Madrid, as well as being the invited International Artist for the 2014 Flamenco Festival Flamenco de Consuegra.

In 2015 he had the honour of being invited to play at the 2nd International Paco de Lucia Guitar festival, a major flamenco festival in honour of the great Paco de Lucia, in the Maestro’s hometown of Algeciras

He has composed music for and performed with the National Ballet of Ireland, Bill Whelan’s Riverdance & Michael Rooney’s De Cuellar Orchestra among others and performed for the Irish President Michael D Higgins.

John acknowledges the support of Music Network’s Music Capital Scheme, funded by The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Music Network is funded by The ArtsCouncil John Walsh Flamenco Guitarist Biography

He has performed onstage with many acclaimed artists including Salvador Andrades, Jose Manuel Leon, Maria Delgado, Alicia Carrasco, Karen Lugo, Luis de Luis, Antonio Sanchez, Juan Ignacio Gonzalez, Gines Pozas, Jaime Salazar Losada, Jaime Nadal Perez, Jose Torres, David Avila, Olayo Jimenez, Lucas Gonzalez, Mercedes Garcia Lopez, Pepe de Algeciras.

Aside from performing, John has a special passion for music education and with raising the profile and knowledge of Flamenco in Ireland. He regularly gives Flamenco Workshops & Masterclasses throughout Ireland, at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin and in the UK.

John is currently in the process of composing material for his debut album.

Besides music John has a keen interest in Astronomy and Science, holding a BSc in Applied Physics.

Awards

2020 & 2019 Arts Council music bursary 2019 Music Network Capital Scheme award 2019 Kildare Arts office TAP residency programme


Tags

9
Album Review

John Walsh: Irlandalucía

Read "Irlandalucía" reviewed by Ian Patterson


A blindfold test for this platter might well elicit the names of Vicente Amigo, Niño Josele or Tomatito, as the listener casts around for well-known contemporary flamenco guitarists --so impressive are these seven dashing originals. The composer and guitarist hails not from the south of Spain, however, but from the south of Ireland. John Walsh first came onto the All About Jazz radar at the 2013 Down With Jazz festival in Dublin, where his bravura performance suggested the flamenco soul ...

4
Album Review

John Walsh: Irlandalucía

Read "Irlandalucía" reviewed by Kyle Simpler


Flamenco music might not be the first thing that one would associate with Ireland, but John Walsh hopes to change that mindset. A classically trained Irish guitarist, he is quickly making a place for himself among the major flamenco artists. Irlandalucía is said to be the first flamenco album to be released by an Irish musician, and here Walsh proves his mastery of the genre. Walsh studied classical guitar at Trinity Conservatoire in London, where he earned a ...

Read more articles
“John Walsh gave a remarkable flamenco performance that demonstrated not only his phenomenal technique but his evident feel for the idiom” – Ian Patterson, 2013 review, www.allaboutjazz.com

“It is one thing to be able to get your fingers around the blinding technique required to play flamenco guitar. It is another thing altogether for the player to imbue the passion and expression of flamenco into his playing. John Walsh manages magnificently to achieve both!” -Bill Whelan, Composer, Creator of Riverdance

“Masterful Guitar” - Irish Examiner

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Irlandalucía

Air Music Group
2021

buy

Videos

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.