Paco Peña in Ottawa

Considered one of the world’s foremost traditional Flamenco players, Spanish flamenco composer and guitarist Paco Peña is on tour in the USA and Canada.

Mr. Peña is a virtuoso, capable of dazzling an audience beyond the frets of mortal man. He combines rapid-fire flourishes with a colorist’s sense of shading; this listener cannot recall hearing any guitarist with a more assured mastery of his instrument. It should come as no surprise that readers of America’s Guitar magazine judged Paco Peña Best Flamenco Guitarist of the Year for five consecutive years.

—The New York Times

Known worldwide for his contributions to and explorations of flamenco music, it should come as no surprise that readers of America’s Guitar magazine judged Paco Peña Best Flamenco Guitarist of the Year for five consecutive years. He has also served as Artistic Director of the celebrated Córdoba International Guitar Festival, and the world’s first Professor of Flamenco Guitar at the Rotterdam Conservatory of Music.

Born in the Andalucian city of Córdoba, Paco Peña began learning guitar from his brother at the age of six and made his first professional appearance at the age of 12. In the late 1960s he left Spain for London, where his recitals of flamenco music captured the public imagination. Paco Peña is based in London, but still spends a significant part of the year in his native Andalucía. In 1997 he was proud to be named Oficial de la Cruz de la Orden Del Merito Civil, an honour bestowed by King Juan Carlos of Spain.

Venues for his performances have included Royal Albert Hall in London, New York’s Carnegie Hall and three prior appearances at the National Arts Centre, where he played to standing ovations in Southam Hall.