BIOGRAPHY

José Antonio Rodríguez is one of the few flamenco composers with international prestige. In addition to being an outstanding composer, he is also recognized as a brilliant performer and educator. His extensive career has established him as one of the leading figures in the world of flamenco music.

He has recorded thirteen solo albums featuring his own compositions, including Calahorra, Callejón de las Flores, Manhattan de la Frontera, La Leyenda, Córdoba… en el Tiempo, Anartista, Adiós Muchachos…, El Guitarrista Azul, McCadden Place, as well as the live recordings Córdoba… en el Tiempo, McCadden Place LIVE from Córdoba and Es Lo Que Es.

In 1990, he premiered his concerto for flamenco guitar and orchestra, Viento de Libertad, orchestrated by Joan Albert Amargós. Together with Amargós, he composed Réquiem for the world premiere of the Andalusian Dance Company, choreographed by Mario Maya. He also participated in the production A Oscuras alongside Enrique Morente and Esperanza Fernández.

In 1995, José Antonio Rodríguez appeared in Carlos Saura’s film Flamenco. He also participated in the album Nochebuena Gitana, accompanying Camarón and Paco de Lucía. He later composed El Jaleo, commissioned by the Andalusian Dance Center and choreographed by María Pagés and Fernando Romero.

Throughout his career, he has collaborated with renowned artists such as Paco de Lucía, Manolo Sanlúcar, Astor Piazzolla, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Cacho Tirao, Al Di Meola, Larry Coryell, Matt Bianco, Julian Bream, Rocío Jurado, Joan Baez, George Benson, Carmen Linares, Arturo Sandoval, Carles Benavent, Noa, Jorge Pardo, Vinnie Colaiuta, Anthony Jackson, Alejandro Sanz, Antonio Orozco and many others.

He has performed with the Córdoba Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Seville Symphony Orchestra. He has also recorded with acclaimed producers including Roberto Livi, Ricardo Pachón, Eddy Martínez, José Luis de Carlos, Rafa Sardina, Humberto Gatica and René Toledo.

José Antonio Rodríguez has appeared at major guitar festivals around the world. In 2001, he began teaching at the Córdoba Guitar Courses directed by Manolo Sanlúcar.

In 2003, he composed the ballet La Leyenda for the Andalusian Dance Company, premiered at the Seville Flamenco Biennial and later incorporated into the repertoire of the National Ballet of Spain.

In 2004, he joined Alejandro Sanz’s world tour as a guest artist, presenting the album No Es Lo Mismo. In 2006, he appeared in Carlos Saura’s film Iberia, dedicated to composer Isaac Albéniz, and composed the original music for the ballet Carmen, choreographed by Aída Gómez.

In 2007, he composed and performed the soundtracks for the films Lola and El Corazón de la Tierra. He also appeared as a performer in the film Alatriste.

His international concert appearances include performances in France, Russia, Spain, the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States, including the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, the Skirball Center in New York, the Córdoba Guitar Festival, the Seville Flamenco Biennial and the Adelaide International Guitar Festival.

His wide-ranging musical background has led him to collaborate in many styles, including flamenco, jazz, pop, bolero, Turkish, Portuguese, Arabic, electronic and world music. He combines his concert career and composing activities with teaching at international guitar courses.

He appears on Acoustic Fever, an album by former Scorpions drummer Herman Rarebell, alongside legendary rock singers Don Dokken, Bobby Kimball and John Parr.

He also collaborated on a project by actress Rita Moreno, produced by Emilio Estefan, which featured a duet by Marc Anthony and Ricky Martin.

The World of the Guitar Trio, featuring José Antonio Rodríguez, Roman Miroshnichenko and Henryk Andersen, was presented at the NAMM Show in Los Angeles and received the Independent Music Award for Best Instrumental Album of 2015.

That same year, he released Adiós Muchachos…, accompanied by the music video La Fiesta de los Locos, sponsored by Alejandro Sanz.

José Antonio Rodríguez participated in the Latin Grammy Awards 2017, performing his composition Manhattan de la Frontera alongside Luis Fonsi, Juan Luis Guerra, Niña Pastori and Maluma during the Person of the Year tribute.

In 2018, his concerto for guitar and orchestra El Guitarrista Azul was released by the American label MoonMoosic. During the same year, he toured extensively across the United States with the José Antonio Rodríguez Trio, achieving sold-out performances and critical acclaim.

He also composed a tribute to Paco de Lucía for the EOS Guitar Quartet, alongside Leo Brouwer and John McLaughlin.

José Antonio Rodríguez is also featured on Ringo Starr’s EP Free Your Soul, together with saxophonist Dave Koz.

SOLO DISCOGRAPHY

• Es Lo Que Es (2024)
• McCadden Place LIVE From Córdoba (2022)
• McCadden Place (2020)
• El Guitarrista Azul (2018)
• Adiós Muchachos… (2016)
• Anartista (2012)
• Perfect Strangers (2011)
• Córdoba… en el Tiempo DVD (2008)
• Córdoba… en el Tiempo CD + DVD (2007)
• La Leyenda (2003)
• Manhattan de la Frontera (1999)
• Callejón de las Flores (1988)
• Calahorra (1984)

COMPOSITIONS FOR ORCHESTRA

• El Guitarrista Azul
• Viento de Libertad
• Guajira para Guitarra Flamenca y Orquesta
• La Mirada de Romero de Torres

COMPOSITIONS FOR BALLET

• Réquiem
• La Leyenda
• Carmen
• Tiempo
• El Jaleo
• Portraits in Memory
• Tango
• Tiempo, Amor y Muerte

COMPOSITIONS FOR FILM

• Flamenco
• Alatriste
• La Lola se va a los Puertos
• The Heart of the Earth
• Fugitivas
• Sobreviviré
• The Seventh Day
• Seduction School
• Iberia
• The 2 Sides of the Bed
• Lola

COMPOSITIONS FOR TELEVISION

• Vidas Paralelas
• Manantial de Luz

COMPOSITIONS FOR VIDEO

• International Guitar Festival of Córdoba Promotional Video
• Alejandro Sanz USA Tour TV Spot
• Picasso Museum Promotional Video
• Wine Museum of Jerez de la Frontera
• Blas Infante Museum Audiovisual
• 2004 Golf World Championship Promotional Spot

AWARDS

• Mezquita de Oro Award for Artistic Career and Contribution to Flamenco Music (2019)
• Adiós Muchachos… – Best Flamenco Album in Spain (2016)
• Perfect Stranger – Best Instrumental Album, Independent Music Awards USA (2015)
• La Fiambrera de Plata Award (2011)
• Finalist, Best DVD – Flamenco Hoy Awards (2008)
• Finalist, Best Solo Guitar Album – Flamenco Hoy Awards (2007)
• Best Producer and Best Accompanying Guitar Album – Flamenco Hoy Awards (2007)
• Ramón Montoya National Flamenco Guitar Award (1986)
• First Prize, Jerez de la Frontera Flamenco Guitar Competition (1982)
• First Prize Bordón Minero, La Unión International Festival (1981)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Música. Del Flamenco a Todas las Músicas – Editorial Octaedro
• La Guitarra de Concierto. Solos de Guitarra Flamenca (2016) – Editorial La Sonanta
• La Guitarra de Concierto. Obras para Dos Guitarras (2017) – Editorial La Sonanta