"When I listen to music on the radio or at home on my stereo, I enjoy it but I don't hear everything I want to hear. I love classical and flamenco and jazz and rock - but I can't find the music I want. So I have tried to create that music, to accompany the voice of classical guitar with ensembles which have the strength of rock or pop." José Luis Encinas does not consider himself a 'flamenco' guitarist, but rather a guitarist who just so happens to love combining a variety of styles and genres to create new music that, he feels, will be equally enjoyed by the listening audience.

Born in Salamanca, Spain in 1966, Encinas began playing guitar at age 13 and idolized the music of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and B.B. King, as well as Mark Knopfler of the band, 'Dire Straits'. Encinas performed in several rock bands through the years, while at the same time studying classical guitar at several different conservatories. To become a master of classical guitar, he took an unusual route. "I was obsessed with rock and roll. The only thing I wanted from classical music was the technique, but after awhile I realized that I was into something even bigger than rock. It was an accident, really. I had been playing classical guitar music for about 10 years before I realized I REALLY liked this stuff!"

While pursuing his own music, José Luis Encinas fulfilled his dream by recording an album in 1988. It was self-produced, and although that album was unsuccessful, he admits that it was a truly interesting, learning experience. He never looked back.

Encinas completed his guitar studies at the Real Conservatory in Madrid, Spain. In 1991, a turning point in his career presented itself while he was visiting his sister, in Washington, D.C. He was awarded a scholarship to study guitar in the Peabody Conservatory of Music at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. "That was a bit of an accident, too," says Encinas. "I knew from my studies that Manuel Barrueco was one of the great guitarists of the world, and that he taught at Peabody. I was telling my sister this when I realized how close we were to Baltimore, and she encouraged me to contact the school." He was granted an audition before the Peabody faculty, including guitar masters Barrueco and Ray Chester. Although Encinas admits he was nervous, the performance that he gave so impressed the faculty, that two weeks later, he was informed that he had won the scholarship.

At Peabody, he completed a two-year, master program under the direction of Manuel Barrueco and Aldo Lagrutta. In 1995, Encinas recorded an album in Spain, entitled "Diez Obras Maestras para Guitarra Clásica" (translated as, "Ten Masterpieces for Classical Guitar"), which was strictly and purely an album of classical guitar music. It received rave reviews from top publications, such as the British, Classical Guitar, which praised his technical ability and the difficulty of his repertoire. He continued to perform concerts at the Centro Cultural de la Villa in Madrid, Spain, as well as throughout Europe. His classical skills and talent as a composer were evident. Subsequently, his "Duende" CD was released by Virgin Records, Spain, in November of 1997 (and in the U.S., by Narada, in 1998.)

THE TURN OF EVENTS WHICH LED TO HIS RECORDING
"DUENDE", FOR VIRGIN RECORDS, SPAIN:

In Spain, José Luis Encinas gave classical guitar performances where he presented his own, classical renditions of some of the songs which comprised his own repertoire. Still, he felt that many of his songs lacked the proper accompaniment of many different instruments to make them sound as energetic as he envisioned. For instance, songs like 'Pegaso' ('Pegasus') that's on the "Duende" CD, with a style and approach reminiscent of both Durruti Column and Wim Mertens. Encinas used to say that the song lacked drums, bass, and other rhythmic accompaniments to really bring the sound to life. His friend at the time (now his manager), Jorge Martin, had really begun to enjoy hearing so many of the songs that he played. He said, "Make it a reality! Start counting to where the drums should kick in, and add them in!" So Encinas did just that!

In 1997, a demo was made which included 6 of his songs. About a month later, he began to receive several offers to record. Virgin Records, Spain, expressed great interest in his innovative approach to music, it was chosen, and José Luis Encinas was signed as their artist. The CD, "Duende", presented a new direction for Spanish guitar, with all of the sounds of flamenco and world music elements incorporated into the songs. "Duende" was well-received in Europe and was released in the U.S. by Narada, in 1998. In Spain, it was followed by his "Aurora" CD (Virgin Records, Spain), in March of 1999.

AFTER "DUENDE"... THE "AURORA" CD AND ITS COLLABORATIONS

According to Encinas, "Aurora" is a project which had an enormous production and collaborative effort. "A multitude of different tracks were utilized during its recording. To venture away from the typical, New Age concept (employing recorded sounds a great deal of the time), I decided to explore the full potential of the fragile, Spanish guitar to determine just how far it could literally be pushed to work in conjunction with live, percussive elements, the accompaniment of a LIVE band, and with sounds covering a broader, sonic spectrum. Overall, the results were surprisingly favorable. Curiously enough, the guitar 'sang' along well with all of the other instruments." Many of Spain's best musicians - those known to many and who had previously performed with Encinas - were chosen for the project: Angel Crespo, Juan Carlos Melián, Javier Quílez, Josep Salvador, Javier Saiz... all excellent musicians. Carlos Quintero and Giovanni Tradardi are two of the top, percussive experts who had the final say on each, new song. They are always very supportive and respectful of my new ideas, as well as extremely competent in our collaborations."

JOSÉ LUIS ENCINAS' VIEW OF THE OVERALL,
INTERNATIONAL MUSIC SCENE THAT HE'S PART OF

Here, he sees two viewpoints. "The response from the audience has been excellent and spontaneous. If they like the music, they buy the CD, take it home, listen to it, and enjoy it. Quite simply, people buy something that they enjoy. My ultimate goal is to reach out to a wider listening audience comprised of people who constantly listen to the music of many, different singers; to those who love guitar music; and to those who may also enjoy guitar music, but who perhaps have a hard time relating to the more rigid form of pure flamenco music or to complex, classical pieces. I always strive to make myself understood by way of the guitar - with style and by producing a quality recording in the process." He likens his task to an attempt to translate 'El Quijote', to where more people can relate to it. That's why his music always involves an enormous amount of work, effort, and dedication. To effectively translate music, or any work, the first requirement is to have a true knowledge of the subject. He feels that every musical composition deserves to be heard when its message is clearly expressed.

THE CONNECTION WITH THE LISTENING AUDIENCE

José Luis Encinas is constantly approached by fans of all ages, ranging anywhere from 12 to 80, who tell him that his music has touched an emotional 'chord' within them, or that through it, they have discovered a whole, new realm of sound. This is quite an accomplishment - one for which Encinas is quite grateful to his fans for all of the kind messages and the constant show of support. With its global appeal, his music truly does convey special meaning!