JIRÍ SVOBODA
Guitarist George Svoboda was praised by San Diego Tribune staff Writer Bob Corbett as a first-class musician, top-drawer stuff . . . his fingers seem to fly effortlessly across the guitar strings. The music that results is full of life. Its happy. First place winner in the Guitar Competition of the City of Kromeriz, Czechoslovakia Mr. Svoboda has been heard in recital in his native Czechoslovakia, England, Germany, Spain, Hungary, Austria, Mexico and the United States.
Mr. Svoboda has gained recognition not only as an immaculate and entertaining performer, but also as a composer and arranger of music for solo guitar and small ensembles. His music is rooted in the folk traditions of Eastern Europe and his transcriptions have won him consistent praise from musicians and critics alike. As a co-founder of Benedetti/Svoboda Duo, and member of the well-known Second Avenue Klezmer Ensemble, he has performed throughout the US, Canada, Taiwan, Hawaiian Islands, Mexico and Europe. Mr. Svoboda has performed for President and Mrs. Clinton at the world-renowned Hotel Del Coronado. He has co-wrote and performed music for the Old Globe's production of Much Ado About Nothing under the direction of Tony award winning director Jack O'Brien. He has also performed with the San Diego Symphony, San Diego Ballet and San Diego Opera.
Mr. Svoboda has been performing and recording for nearly thirty five years. His compact discs, entitled Scirocco-Desert Wind, Zephyr, Maestrale, Gypsy Road and Fiesta Gitana were recorded between 1994 and 2004 with guitarist Fred Benedetti on the SBE label and features original, flamenco and East European music. His other three compact discs, entitled Flamenco Dreams, Spanish Gardens and Echoes of Spain were recorded also with Fred Benedetti on Domo records label and released worldwide in 1998, 1999 and 2002. Mr. Svoboda has also been actively involved in teaching for over twentyfive years. In his native Czechoslovakia he taught guitar and music theory in Public Schools of Art and since arriving in the U.S., he has been teaching at San Diego City Schools as an Artist in Residence, guitar instructor at Mesa College, Grossmont College and is a faculty member at CSU San Marcos and San Diego State University. He also published successful instructional books on guitar technique.
Born in Cheb, Czechoslovakia and now residing in San Diego, California, Mr. Svoboda studied guitar and history of music at the State Conservatory of Music in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. He received his Bachelor Degree in Music at San Diego State University in 1996 and his Masters Degree in Music in 1998.
Hello George, thanks for acepting our request. Hope to see you again here in Tijuana or in San Diego. Warm greetings! Alberto (Joel's brother) - Vandana -
Thanks George! I took your classical guitar class a long time ago and had some of my tuners going the right direction and others going the wrong one. I can credit you with showing me the right way to tune a guitar : )
you are awsome and so is your music... i wish it was winter so we could freeze it, use it as ice blocks and slide down the hills, then during spring we could melt it and drink it!
An amazing guitarrist! I checked out the teacher ratings on myspace and everybody really recommends your class!! (Including Michelle haha!!) I can't wait to see another show.
