Omar Torrez Guitar virtuoso Country: USA

1. Biography of Omar Torres
2. A Musical Revelation
3. Recognition and Collaborations
4. A Memorable Russian Experience

Biography of Omar Torres

Omar Torres, a young and handsome brunette, is a virtuoso guitarist whose concerts in America end with the passionate cries of his devoted fans. He is already being hailed as the second coming of Jimi Hendrix. Born into a creative family, Omar's father is the radical Mexican artist Fernando Askarraga, and his mother is an artist of Norwegian-Russian descent. It is no surprise that Omar's earliest memories are of sitting on his father's knee, watching him create masterpieces with his characteristic enthusiasm. Many years later, father and son would write several songs together.

A Musical Revelation

Omar burst onto the music scene in spectacular fashion. During the Bumbershoot Festival at the Seattle Opera concert hall, he took the stage with someone else's guitar and effortlessly won the national competition for guitarists named after Jimi Hendrix. Following this triumph, he formed a band and began playing a fusion of funk, rock, blues, and Afro-Cuban rhythms in clubs and festivals all along the West Coast of the United States. Later, Omar developed a passion for Andalusian gypsies' music, Spanish flamenco, and Cuban salsa. After studying under masters, including his early idol, renowned flamenco master Juan Serrano, he became a skilled classical guitarist and flamenco performer. Currently, Omar Torres has returned to the world of rock and roll, funk-blues, and delights his fans with his magnificent playing on both acoustic and electric guitars, infectious songs, and stunningly beautiful ballads.

Recognition and Collaborations

In the year 2000, the President of the legendary guitar manufacturer Fender heard Omar at the largest trade fair in Los Angeles and made an unprecedented gesture by immediately signing him to a multi-year contract. Fender offered Omar the opportunity to test their new Guild Paloma model. The only other musician to receive this honor was Sting. Omar Torrez has performed on the same stage as greats such as Buena Vista Social Club, Pancho Sanchez, Susana Baca, B-side Players, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, and Sidestepper.

Omar leads two groups, with members from renowned bands such as Cubanismo (Carlos Del Puerto Jr.), Strunz and Farro (Cassio Duarte), and Ben Harper (David Leach), as well as a percussionist from the Los Angeles Opera, John Wakefield. Here's what the international press says about him: "For Omar Torres, there are no boundaries. He effortlessly combines such disparate genres as classical and pop, swing and blues, the virtuous and the sensual, and he does it all in his unique style" (Artemy Troitsky). "How should we describe him? The Latin American Jimi Hendrix? The fastest fingers in the West? A talent that rises above the earth and kisses the sky?" (Tom Scanlon, Los Angeles Times).

A Memorable Russian Experience

In the summer of 2004, Omar and his band performed in Moscow to support their album "La Danza en mi Corazon," released by the music label "Soyuz." The concerts were held in packed venues, and the musicians immediately fell in love with Russia. During one of the shows, the leader of the band "5'nizza," Sergei Babkin, unexpectedly joined Omar on stage and performed a few songs together. The legendary jam session at the "Petrovich" club, featuring various Russian bands, including the famous "Khoronko Orchestra," continued until the early morning hours.

Omar's impressions of Moscow: "I have the feeling that Russian people cultivate rough manners on the surface, but when you get to know them better, you realize they are full of warmth and hospitality. And, I must say, the most distinguishing feature of Moscow is the beauty of its women!"