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Oscar Penas

“The music will certainly leave the listener with a joyful and playful feeling; Peñas’ focus on making good heartfelt music is a breath of fresh air.” JazzTimes.

Barcelona-born guitarist, arranger, and composer Oscar Peñas was already a widely respected figure on the international jazz scene before settling in New York City a decade ago. Since then, he's genuinely blossomed, creating a singular body of work that weaves together elements of jazz, Spanish folk music, and the European classical tradition.

He often works with unorthodox instrumentation, he doesn't blend disparate influences so much as stitch them together with an internal emotional logic. Peñas established a vital new voice in New York with two critically hailed albums, most recently 2014's Music of Departures and Returns featuring Gil Goldstein, Paquito D'Rivera, and Esperanza Spalding. His latest project Almadraba, inspired by the ancient sustainable fishing practices in Andalusia, featured bass legend Ron Carter and premiered in 2018 at the BAM Next Wave Festival.

A major league talent with a capacious musical imagination, Peñas embodies the limitless promise of jazz's global reach.

Awards

South Arts Jazz Road 2022 grantee Mid Atlantic USAI 2021 grantee 20th Annual USA Songwriting Competition, Jazz, Finalist 2015 11th Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards), Finalist 2015 14th Annual Independent Music Awards, Jazz Instrumental Song, Finalist 2015 19th Annual USA Songwriting Competition, Instrumental Jazz, Finalist 2014 ASCAP Plus Award, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 Professional Music Achievement Award, Berklee College of Music, 1999 Printed feature articles: Guitar Player, Downbeat, Jazziz, JazzTimes, Smithsonian, All About Jazz, ASCAP Audio Portraits, Chicago Hoy, El Nuevo Dia, Puerto Rico, La Vanguardia, Avui, El Periódico de Cataluña. Radio: WBGO, WPTZ-News Channel 5, WNYC-Soundcheck, The Phoenix-WNYU, Via Lluire-Rac1, L’Home del Jazz-RNE4, Sonideros-RNE3, Radio Rebelde, Radio Marti, TSFJazz, Radio France - Open Jazz - France Musique, Abu Dhabi Classic FM, JAZZ.FM91- Canada.


Tags

9
Album Review

Oscar Penas: Music Of Departures And Returns

Read "Music Of Departures And Returns" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


In putting together his fourth album, guitarist Oscar Penas looked to composers he connects with, songs that speak to him, and originals that fit comfortably with the rest. That's the concept here, plain and simple, and the end result is a thirty-eight minute beauty that's alluring and completely accessible. Two different rhythm sections and three guests come and go during these eight tracks, but Penas' presence ties everything together. The first three numbers--a cheery choro featuring clarinetist ...

293
Album Review

Oscar Penas: From Now On

Read "From Now On" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


The music on From Now On is modern jazz marinated in the seductive flavors of Spain and South America. Guitarist Oscar Peñas' path lead him from Barcelona to Brooklyn, NY, and this geographic duality is ever-present in the intriguing blend of music that's presented on this, his debut for BJU records. While Iberian-influenced guitar lines often set the stage and thread their way through the music, this record goes well-beyond any single style or influence. Peñas' writing ...

858
Interview

Oscar Penas: From Barcelona to Brooklyn

Read "Oscar Penas: From Barcelona to Brooklyn" reviewed by Tomas Pena


Oscar Peñas belongs to a generation of artists who believe there is more to being a musician than being technically proficient. Like his peers--many of whom are emerging, independent musicians--his music reflects his roots, his impressive credentials and his openness to new ideas and concepts. Oscar is part of a flourishing new music scene in Brooklyn where emerging artists gather to experiment, exchange ideas and create music that is changing the face of jazz.All About Jazz: You were ...

239
Album Review

Oscar Penas: Astronautus

Read "Astronautus" reviewed by AAJ Staff


The music of this group led by Oscar Penas is firmly rooted in the post-bop mainstream, yet it sounds fresh and distinctive, possessing a quality of lightness coupled with considerable drive. And Astronautus serves notice that a major new saxophonist has arrived. His name is Javier Vercher, and with any kind of luck, we'll be hearing a lot more from him.

Vercher has as distinctive a saxophone voice as I've heard lately. His tenor tone is full and ...

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4

Recording

Guitarist Oscar Penas' New Album Release, 'Chicken Or Pasta' Is A Fun Listen Right Out Of The Gate

Guitarist Oscar Penas' New Album Release, 'Chicken Or Pasta' Is A Fun Listen Right Out Of The Gate

Source: Zulema Mejias

Coming on the heels of 2022’s Almadraba, his deeply evocative suite drawing on Andalusian culture and brimming with Iberian, classical, and flamenco flavors, Oscar Penas’ latest finds him returning to his jazz roots. Once again accompanied by 6-string electric bassist Moto Fukushima and drummer Richie Barshay, his regular rhythm tandem for the past 14 years, and violinist Sara Caswell, a member of his working quartet since 2013, the Catalan-American guitarist-composer is also joined by two special guests—guitarist Mike Stern and ...

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Performance / Tour

Guitarist/Composer Oscar Penas Appearing In NYC: November 1 and November 5

Guitarist/Composer Oscar Penas Appearing In NYC: November 1 and November 5

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

Guitarist/Composer Oscar Penas Appearing In NYC In Support of New Recording From Now On Tuesday, November 1, 7:00 PM at the 55 Bar With Dan Blake (saxophones), Moto Fukushima (bass), Franco Pinna (drums), and special guest, Gil Goldstein November 5 at the Bar Next Door With Moto Fukushima (bass), Franco Pinna (drums) “It's difficult to separate Peñas the performer from Peñas the composer, due to the fact that his music lives and breathes through his entrancing guitar work, but they ...

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Performance / Tour

Oscar Penas Appearing In NYC In Support of New Recording "From Now On"

Oscar Penas Appearing In NYC In Support of New Recording "From Now On"

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

Guitarist/Composer Oscar Penas Appearing In NYC In Support of New Recording From Now On Tuesday, November 1, 7:00 PM at the 55 Bar with Dan Blake (saxophones), Moto Fukushima (bass), Franco Pinna (drums), and very special guest, Gil Goldstein November 5 at the Bar Next Door with Moto Fukushima (bass), Franco Pinna (drums), “Oscar's music is inviting and from the soul; finely cultivated and fully realized...his writing and playing have beautiful motion and uniquely sensuous melodies." —Esperanza Spalding “Oscar is ...

147

Recording

BJURecords to Release "From Now On" from Guitarist/Composer Oscar Penas

BJURecords to Release "From Now On" from Guitarist/Composer Oscar Penas

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

FROM NOW ON features: Oscar Peñas(guitar, compositions), Dan Blake (tenor & soprano saxophones), Moto Fukushima (six string electric bass), Richie Barshay (drums) With Special Guests: Gil Goldstein (accordion, piano), Franco Pinna (bombo legüero) “Oscar's music is inviting and from the soul; finely cultivated and fully realized...his writing and playing have beautiful motion and uniquely sensuous melodies."- Esperanza Spalding “Oscar is a very dedicated musician with a unique sound and creative writing" —Luciana Souza “Oscar Peñas has found a way to ...

"It's always great fun to play good music.. and Oscar Peñas provides the music and talent to make this fun possible." - Ron Carter.

"A seamless synthesis of musical idioms and artistic disciplines." - By Phillip Lutz, Downbeat Magazine

"Oscar is a beautiful player with a totally unique sense of sound and color in his writing..." - Esperanza Spalding

"Oscar Peñas has a very well-traveled musical passport. Born in Spain, he sounds like a citizen of the world, crossing musical borders with quick and sure footing. I have seen his style develop and expand in the past five years I have known him and have been happy to be a passenger on his journeys. I am sure he will continue to develop and expand and we all wait for his next musical travels." - Gil Goldstein

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Primary Instrument

Guitar

Location

New York City

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

Teaching Experience Private Studio, Private Instructor, Brooklyn, NY, 2007- present ◦ Electric and classical guitar, jazz harmony and ear training 92Y School of the Arts, New York City, NY, Faculty, 2012- 2019 ◦ Guitar teacher, group and individual lessons Community Roots Charter School, Faculty, Brooklyn, NY, 2010- 2011 ◦ After-school guitar, group guitar lessons Brooklyn Music School, Faculty, Brooklyn, NY, 2009- 2012 ◦ Taught guitar and jazz ensembles Taller de Músics, Faculty, Barcelona, Spain, 2000-05 ◦ Taught guitar, jazz ensembles, repertoire, and improvisation.

Clinic/Workshop Information

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Gil Evans
composer / conductor
Bill Frisell
guitar, electric
Egberto Gismonti
guitar, acoustic
Guinga
guitar
Jim Hall
guitar
Pat Metheny
guitar
Astor Piazzolla
bandoneon

Photos

Concerts

Jun 13 Thu
Oscar Penas
SFJAZZ Center
San Francisco, CA
Jun 13 Thu
Oscar Penas
SFJAZZ Center
San Francisco, CA

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Chicken Or Pasta

Self Produced
2023

buy

Music Of Departures...

Self Produced
2014

buy

From Now On

Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records
2011

buy

Astronautus

Blue Moon
2004

buy

Spaghetti Western

From: Chicken Or Pasta
By Oscar Penas

Samuel Smith

From: From Now On
By Oscar Penas

Videos

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