Although he didn't enter the Barcelona, Spain jazz scene until 2004, guitarist Nico Sánchez certainly doesn't sound like a relative newcomer. In fact, his latest album with his quartet, De Visitante, is marked with the fingerprints of highly experienced musicians, displaying the keen skills of masters of the craft. Listen to how Sánchez's guitar sizzles on “Cha Cha Chaa," its sweltering Latin grooves lighting up the evening skies.
Sánchez's bandmates—saxophonist Miguel Fernández, bassist Juan Pablo Balcazar, and drummer Gonzalo del Val—combine their individual talents to form a tightly knit and propulsive machine. From Fernández's explosive sax on “Jetlag Waltz" to Balcazar's urgent bass lines on “Unit" to del Val's punchy drums on “Cha Cha Chaa," the group has energy to burn. However, they also know how to reign it in; “Loneliness" ventures into soothing, crestfallen atmospherics.
De Visitante is merely the second album from Sánchez, whose chilly swagger with the guitar is destined for international recognition. But who is Sánchez and where is he from? Sánchez can be a man of few words; his music often speaks for itself.
Q: You play the guitar with spellbinding ease. When did it start for you and how?
A: I started playing drums and then I felt that i need something else, so I decided to began with the guitar
Q: At what age did you become a guitarist?
A: I started playing at 13
Q: Where did you receive your education in music?
A: Taller de Musics, Barcelona
Q: What artists have been the most influential to you over the years?
A: Ben Monder, Leo Brower, John Frusciante, Pierre Vaiana, Vicenç Solsona.
Q: What are your goals as a musician?
A: I tend not to think of goals for my music, my primary aim is to enjoy of the music.
Sánchez's bandmates—saxophonist Miguel Fernández, bassist Juan Pablo Balcazar, and drummer Gonzalo del Val—combine their individual talents to form a tightly knit and propulsive machine. From Fernández's explosive sax on “Jetlag Waltz" to Balcazar's urgent bass lines on “Unit" to del Val's punchy drums on “Cha Cha Chaa," the group has energy to burn. However, they also know how to reign it in; “Loneliness" ventures into soothing, crestfallen atmospherics.
De Visitante is merely the second album from Sánchez, whose chilly swagger with the guitar is destined for international recognition. But who is Sánchez and where is he from? Sánchez can be a man of few words; his music often speaks for itself.
Q: You play the guitar with spellbinding ease. When did it start for you and how?
A: I started playing drums and then I felt that i need something else, so I decided to began with the guitar
Q: At what age did you become a guitarist?
A: I started playing at 13
Q: Where did you receive your education in music?
A: Taller de Musics, Barcelona
Q: What artists have been the most influential to you over the years?
A: Ben Monder, Leo Brower, John Frusciante, Pierre Vaiana, Vicenç Solsona.
Q: What are your goals as a musician?
A: I tend not to think of goals for my music, my primary aim is to enjoy of the music.
