"Guitarrista"is a gorgeous solo acoustic guitar album of original compositions written and performed by Peruvian native Ciro Hurtado. This collection is a reflection on the many styles of music that have influenced Hurtado over the years, including Latin American folk, jazz, flamenco, classical, blues, pop, and rock. Hurtado has been actively performing since the early 1970s and came to the US in 1975 to study guitar privately and at the Guitar Institute of Technology. He was with Strunz and Farah for a few years and went on to become one of the founding members of Huayucaltia. He has recorded and co-produced seven albums with that group as well as touring extensively. "Guitarrista" is his fifth album as a solo artist. Completely at home with his nylon-string guitar, Hurtado casts a spell of warm reflection as he tells the stories of his life with his unique, quiet, and very personal musical style. 

“Cuentos de Chacarera” begins the set with a piece that is both upbeat and somewhat mysterious. A variety of musical influences and styles can be heard from the very first notes, as can Hurtado’s mastery of the instrument. “Para Amanda” is as gentle and sweet as a spring breeze. “Para Mi Amigo” feels like an intimate and tender conversation with a very close friend, speaking without reservations and from the heart. “Agua Dulce” flows gently and freely with occasional sparkles dancing on the water. “Spanish Heart” has a flamenco influence, but the passions here smolder rather than bursting into flame. “Ayahuasca” has some fascinating rhythmic patterns and almost sounds like two or three guitarists playing together - very beautiful and deeply emotional. “Rayito de Sol” is as warm and soothing as the sunshine it depicts. “Un Adios” is a brief but very meaningful “goodbye.”

"Guitarrista" is an exceptional solo guitar album that creates a tranquil, reflective mood. Highly recommended!
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Ciro Hurtado is truly an outstanding guitarist. He easily performs in various genres from Classical/Jazz to Latin/Flamenco and even World/New Age music. His style is full of elegance and finesse.

Ciro Hurtado plays very diverse compositions on the artist’s fifth solo album “Guitarrista”. All compositions are skillfully played and they are very emotional.

Ciro Hurtado is a virtuoso guitarist. His instrument conveys smallest nuances of human feelings. And each composition is a particular life story which is told very expressively. This music seriously stirs the soul.

What can else be said about the artist? Ciro Hurtado is one of most prolific and accomplished Peruvian guitarists based in the United States. He has scored and participated musically in various feature films and documentaries.

But I want to add to aforesaid that Ciro Hurtado is a guitarist from God. His playing is very accurate and graceful. His flageolets and staccatos are a real pleasure for ears. Also, his style is very romantic and life-asserting.

The album “Guitarrista” will be the adornment of each music lover’s collection because Ciro Hurtado is a unique guitarist.
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Nothing like this virtuoso exists.  Most moving and enjoyable music.
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There are a multitude of genres where an acoustic guitar enables an artist to express themselves personally.  When placed in the hands of a skilled musician, this stringed instrument becomes a beautiful companion, telling everything about the artist with each passing measure.  Ciro Hurtado is one skilled solo guitarist or guitarrista from California, whose performances include Traditional Latin, American Folk, World, Fusion, Latin Jazz, and many more popular genres, becoming adapted to many forms of personal expression.  His natural talent, along with studies at the Guitar Institute of Technology have placed him in a well recognized stature as a musician, highly regarded for his artistic technical abilities and versatile rhythms for many years now.  Ciro’s musical compositions on guitar are not limited to specific categories since his adaptable styles also range from more traditional Jazz, Flamenco, Classical, Pop, Blues, and Rock, so versatility does play an important role in his music.  Guitarrista  is the  5th  album to explore his talents as a guitarist, where many rhythms and sub rhythms on this project are abundant, in a solo album that finds many points of interest during this thoughtful encounter with individualistic expression.  Latin influences play an important factor during his many changes in style too, as both hands connect with the strings in a well versed manner.  The intricate patterns, along with a relaxed atmosphere, greatly emphasize his individual composing and performance skills, while also telling a beautiful story to his audiences.  Besides his solo projects, and performing with Strunz and Farah, he founded the popular group  Huayucaltia,  touring in the U.S. and other countries while opening for Sting, Jackson Browne, Carlos Vives, and other highly regarded artist. His numerous movie and documentary musical score credits are recognised in the film industry as well, since producers have also taken note of his versatility as a guitarist.  Ciro Hurtado’s prior albums  In My Mind  &  Tales From Home  both have accompaniments that blend just right with acoustic guitar, and expert performances are shown in all of his albums.  This comes from a person who recognizes that the guitar is really just a pretty instrument, and that a beautiful outcome is always dependent on whose hands the guitar is placed.
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