JOSE DE CASTRO (JOPI) (28-02-74) Guitarist from Madrid, Spain, has been playing since he was 10. He started studying classic guitar, harmony, chorus, and music theory. At seventeen, he began to study electric guitar and joined a rock group, playing in Madrid's music circuit and at national level, eventually winning important competitions such as 'Villa de Madrid'.
Later on, he began to work as a professional guitarist in bands, while working as a teacher in several modern music schools like 'Ritmo y Compás', where he gave classes until 2002. In that same year, his first instrumental album was released, entitled, 'Un poco de lo mío' (A bit of my own). Written, arranged, and produced all by José himself. The CD contains nine tracks with a rock sound while containing funk, pop, and fusion elements. His debut work has received excellent reviews from the Spanish music press ('Guitarra Total', 'Guitarrista', etc.) and out of Spain ('Guitar World', 'Vintage', 'Guitar Magazine', etc.). The CD is currently sold in Europe, USA and Asia.
For the last several years, Jopi has been involved in album recordings, and advertising. He has also been playing live in TV programs and accompanying several musicians.
In 2004, the guitarist's second instrumental work 'Music Guitar Box' was recorded.
In his new album, José de Castro has surrounded himself with talented musicians like Simon Phillips (Toto, Jeff Beck etc.), Melvin Davis (Chaka Khan, Steve Lukather, Lee Ritenour, etc.) and well known professional Spanish musicians like Maurizio Sgaramella, Denis Bilanin, and Enzo Filiponne.
In this album the guitarist's talent shines through diverse musical styles like funk-fusion, blues, country, and everything else from a rock focus, while having a note for detail in composition and musical arrangement, creating an ideal balance between virtuosity and musicality. The work contains 10 tracks, all composed, arranged and produced by José.
On 2006, it is realesed the third instrumental CD "Conversation". This time,
this work counts with Melvin Lee Davis and J. Vera at bass, Enzo Filippone
at drums, Denis Bilanin and Iñaki Quijano at boards.
This work is made in the more actively moment in Jopi's career, working
together on important tours and recordings.
As always, the versatility as in styles as in sounds is present all over the CD.
On this same year, Jose is becoming endorser of the prestigious guitar brand
"Suhr Guitars".
From 2007 to 2008, José and his band share stage with some of his idols as Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, Scott Henderson and Michael Landau. In February 2009, he realeses his CD "LIVE". It's a compilation of songs from his first three CD's.
And... to be continued...
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