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Juanjo López

Juanjo López is a Mexican guitarist, composer, and educator whose work blends spiritual depth with musical exploration. With over two decades of experience in performance and recording, he has collaborated with renowned artists such as Iraida Noriega, Armando Manzanero, Eddie Gómez, and Kenny Werner. His music draws from a rich tapestry of influences—Jazz, Rock, and Latin American folk traditions—resulting in a sound that is both intimate and expansive.

He holds a Master's degree in Jazz Performance from Northern Illinois University, where he studied under acclaimed guitarist Bobby Broom. He is also a graduate of the Escuela Superior de Música in Mexico City.

Juanjo has performed on some of Mexico’s most important stages and festivals, including Vive Latino and the country's top jazz festivals. Now based in the United States, his artistic journey reflects themes of migration, faith, and transformation.

His latest album, ABOVE · BEYOND · WITHIN, released under Desafío Candente Records, is a deeply personal spiritual suite structured in three movements. It was recorded in Chicago with a cast of top musicians and co- produced by drummer Gustavo Cortiñas. The album has been praised for its emotional depth, lyrical clarity, and contemplative power.

In addition to his performance work, Juanjo is an experienced educator, offering private instruction and workshops to students of all levels. He is currently developing his own guitar studio based in Naperville, Illinois.

Awards

Scholarship Recipient: Prestigious “Becas al extranjero Convenios SACPC” (2021) – Mexico’s top scholarship for study abroad

Gear

Fender Stratocaster Plus 1984

Line 6 HX STOMP XL

Juanjo López: Above, Beyond, Within

Read "Above, Beyond, Within" reviewed by Troy Dostert

by Troy Dostert
August 24, 2025

In our troubling national moment of intensified nativism and ethnic fearmongering, it can be edifying to encounter the stories of people whose lives are directly affected by the current climate. One of them is Juanjo López, a guitarist now well-established in the Chicago scene but who came years ago to the United States with his family from Mexico. His story, reflected in his second release, Above, Beyond, Within, is about much more than geographic relocation, however. There is a strong ...

"más de dos décadas de trayectoria y ha colaborado con artistas como Armando Manzanero, Eugenio Toussaint y Kalimba."
"More than two decades of musical trajectory, collabhorating with artists like Armando Manzanero, Eugenio Toussaint and Kalimba."

MAS POR MAS - "El Jazz Espiritual de Juan José López

"The interplay between Fujisaki and López is strong and the six original compositions are compelling. Recommended."