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Carlos Odria

Peruvian-born guitarist Carlos Odria has been described as a "breathtakingly talented musician with immense technical skill" (Worcester Telegram) and as a "guitar wizard" (Gamble Rogers Fest). His original compositions and arrangements of jazz standards and Latin American tunes deliver an exciting blend of international styles such as bossa nova, Afro-Peruvian festejo, rumba flamenca, and Afro-Caribbean vibes, all imbued with an improvisational approach inspired by the rich tradition of American jazz. He holds a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from Florida State University, where he also obtained a Certificate in Music of the Americas. He studied classical and Latin American folk guitar with the acclaimed Peruvian guitarist Pepe Torres. Later on, he pursued advanced jazz studies with Richie Zellon, jazz guitar arranging with Leo Welch, and Venezuelan cuatro at the Jose Luis Paz Conservatory in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

In 2014, the debut album of Omnimusica, an ensemble in which Odria was the lead guitarist, was included on the official ballot for the 57th Grammy Awards in the World Music category.

Dr. Odria has performed at concert halls, universities, and festivals, sharing the stage with jazz, classical, and world music artists such as Jeff Denson, Longineu Parsons, Leon Anderson, the Jacksonville Children's Chorus, Mlimani Park Orchestra, Mia Gormandy, Haigiong Deng, Silviu Ciulei, Jorge Continentino, Jeff Brooks, and Etienne Charles. He has taught at Darton State College, Clark University, and UMASS Boston. Currently, he holds the position of Assistant Professor of Music and Interdisciplinary Arts at the Visual and Performing Arts Department at Worcester State University.


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"Carlos Odria is a breathtakingly talented musician, fusing elements of Latin American folk music, Spanish flamenco, jazz and Afro-Peruvian rhythms into a fascinating mélange... it's impossible to not be struck by the lush sound, the immense technical skill and sheer beauty he creates."

Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Massachusetts

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