Pepe Romero

Born in Spain, guitarist Pepe Romero, one of the most respected and versatile instrumentalists of his generation, looks back on a brilliant and diverse career. Together with his father, the legendary Celedonio Romero, and his brothers Celin and Ángel, Pepe founded the quartet "Los Romeros," which became the internationally leading guitar ensemble known as the "Royal Family of the Guitar." Pepe is renowned for the breathtaking virtuosity, compelling interpretations, and flawless technique of his classical performances, but he is also a passionate advocate for the traditional flamenco of his Andalusian homeland. He has performed as a soloist with the world's greatest orchestras and ensembles and has collaborated with the most prestigious conductors and composers. Since his first record, Flamenco Fenómeno!, released in 1959 when he was just 15 years old, Pepe has made over 50 recordings, including more than 20 concertos with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields under the direction of Sir Neville Marriner and Iona Brown. His more recent releases include the Concierto festivo, which Ernesto Cordero wrote for him, and the song cycle Mi jardín solitario by Lorenzo Palomo. In November 2011, Deutsche Grammophon released the album Christmas with Los Romeros, on which the Romeros play popular Christmas pieces. Pepe Romero's first solo album for Deutsche Grammophon, Spanish Nights, features other music from his Spanish homeland as well as the premiere recording of Celedonio Romero's Suite Madrileña no. 1 and is scheduled for release in summer 2012. In the 2012/13 season, Pepe Romero pays tribute to the 100th birthday of his famous father. In April 2012, he completed a US tour, and concert tours in Germany are planned for August and September of that year. In 2013/14, Pepe Romero will celebrate his own 70th birthday with a world tour. In 2004, Pepe Romero was appointed "Distinguished Artist-in-Residence" at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California; he also gives master classes at the University of Southern California, at the Salzburg Summer Academy, at the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, and at the Córdoba Guitar Festival. Pepe Romero has received many honors: He is a Knight of the Order "Isabel la Católica," he received honorary doctorates in music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the University of Victoria, as well as the "Premio Andalucía de Música," the highest musical award of his home region. He participated in the award-winning documentary Shadows and Light: Joaquín Rodrigo at 90; biographical documentaries about the Romeros were produced by the American television station PBS and NDR-Fernsehen. For their significant contribution to musical life and their artistic life's work, the Romeros received the "President's Merit Award" from the Recording Academy, which also presents the Grammys, in 2007. 5/2012