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.
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Album Review
- Music Of Departures And Returns by Dan Bilawsky
- From Now On by Dan Bilawsky
Interview
Album Review
- 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 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
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.
