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.” JazzTime. Oscar Peñas is a Spanish-born jazz guitarist and composer for chamber and jazz ensembles. He is an American citizen and has been an integral part of New York's music scene for a decade. Originally trained in classical guitar in his hometown of Barcelona, Peñas discovered the fascinating world of jazz as a teenager. Since the early 2000s, he has performed, taught, and recorded around the world, releasing his first two album with the label Fresh Sound New Talent following with two self- produced albums, all as leader. His collaborators include Grammy winners: Ron Carter, Gregoire Maret, Paquito D'Rivera, Gil Goldstein, and Esperanza Spalding. Peñas' diverse compositions transcend genres, cultures, and styles with graceful, powerful fluidity. Due to his unique cultural prestige, he has received the ASCAP Plus Award every year from 2012 through 2018. Peñas has performed around the world at festivals, performing arts centers and clubs such as the BAM Next Wave Festival, Kennedy Center, Pittsburg Jazz Appreciation Month Series, The Mansion at Strathmore, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music, Blue Note, 55 Bar, Duc des Lombards, and Jamboree. He is passionate about community outreach, offering free teaching clinics and masterclasses to impoverished children in Panama City and the Dominican Republic, through Foundation Danilo Perez and FeduJazz, respectively. Currently teaching at the 92Y in New York City, Peñas is an alumnus of both the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory, as well as a member of Local 802, LARAS and NARAS.

Album Reviews

Astronautus by AAJ Staff

October 28, 2011

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

October 14, 2011

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

August 22, 2011

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

”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

“Surrounded by a real orgy of loud and louder recordings, Oscar Peñas' new CD feels like an oasis of variety and good musical taste

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

“Surrounded by a real orgy of loud and louder recordings, Oscar Peñas' new CD feels like an oasis of variety and good musical taste. It was also great fun playing my C clarinet on that charming Chorinho he wrote for me!” - Paquito D’Rivera

“Mr. Peñas has become a marvelous storyteller.” Jazz Da Gama

“ Music of Departures and Returns is an enjoyable collection of styles and sounds from around the world presented with heart felt joy and clarity. 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.” JazzTime

” …Peñas offers a lithe, sparkling solo that displays his deep affection for the music” Jazziz Magazine, OnDisc

…the album displays Peñas’s confident and clear phrasing, which is cast into high relief through interplay with Caswell’s violin. - Tim Wilkins, WBGO

In this day and age, when a large chunk of the jazz community views conceptual rigor and the creation of high art as a moral imperative, it's a joyous thing to hear artists like Peñas buck the trend; he simply plays what he enjoys. - Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz

Mr. Peñas, a crisp Catalan guitarist, has a new album, “Music of Departures and Returns,” that suggests a personal spin not only through the music of his heritage but also that of Cuba and the Americas. - Nate Chinen, NY Times

Peñas practices economical simplicity, displaying astute prowess commendable for its modesty and ease. - Bob Gendron, Downbeat Magazine (4 stars)

This is a delightful journey, guided by an artist with a rich imagination. - Marcia Hillman, The New York City Jazz Record

The music [of Music of Departures and Returns] will certainly leave the listener with a joyful and playful feeling; Peñas’ focus on making good heartfelt music is a breath of fresh air. - Douglas Reid, The Examiner

“…the recording, a collection of sublime compositions that delve deeply into his Spanish heritage while simultaneously honoring his jazz mastery” Jake Hertzog, Guitar Player Magazine

“Peñas is a guitarist with a classy, mahogany hued aesthetic.” Michael Jackson, Downbeat

“There are many excellent CDs released every year in the realm of jazz, but it remains a rare occurrence when an album takes the listener on a unique journey from start to finish. Maybe it's because Oscar Penas, the superb guitar player who wrote all eight compositions on “From Now On,””… Ron Netsky, Rochester City Newspaper

“From Now On is one of those romantic albums that grasps hold of you quickly. Warm, opening and refreshing—Oscar Penas hopefully won't be an unkept secret from many. From Now On is an album that should be universally praised and rewarded. A definite must listen...” Stephan Moore, JazzWrap | A Jazz Music Blog

“Within this special genre, Oscar Peñas is a musician with a special sound.” Ivan Rod, Gaffa.dk

“Oscar Peñas is a musical artist painting from a bold sonic color palette while striking a balance between the organic and vibrant sounds from his native Barcelona and those of the Big Apple.” Brent L. Black, Jazzreview

“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 merge traditional Spanish music with Jazz in a way that seems totally natural and fresh. He also recorded them in a natural way, without overproducing them, and allowed himself and the players carte blanche to find their own personalities within the music. A rare quality for records that are produced today and makes itunique and refreshing for all listeners.” Gil Goldstein

“Peñas is not a technical guitar player, but more of a sound sculptor...” Budd Kopman, Cadence

“When he soloes, he is spare and to the point” Marc Meyers, All About Jazz

Show less

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.