Rico Espinoza

A list of corporate groups and hotels to which Rico Espinoza has provided muscial services to

The Beverly Hills Hotel
The Ritz Carlton Hotels
Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino
The Venetian Hotel & Casino
The North Orange County Bar Association
The National Multiple Sclerosis Association
The Wall- Las Memorias Project
Primacy Relocation
Perillo Industries
Masonic Association
Bridgepointe Education
Kern County Museum of Art

Biography

It was initially the racing flamenco guitar sounds of the Gipsy Kings that inspired acoustic guitarist Rico Espinoza to pick up the guitar in high shcool. He then came across the music of Paco de Lucia and Vicente Amigo, two poetic flamenco guitarists that changed his perception of the acoustic guitar.

At first, not having a guitar teacher or many musical resources at that time made it a challenge for him to learn the instrument. But everyday Rico spent hours, playing his acoustic guitar along to the cassette tapes of The Gipsy Kings. One day at a record store, Rico came across a CD that had a black and white photograph of a flamenco guitarist. Not knowing anything about this album or the guitarist, Rico took a chance and bought it. When he got home, he played the CD and could not believe what he heard. The album “De mi Corazon al aire” by Vicente Amigo was astonishing, passionate, and magical. It opened up the world of flamenco music to Rico Espinoza. Rico would try to emulate the flamenco sounds that he heard from CDs. He was compelled to learn how to use the acoustic guitar to convey his thoughts and feelings. While learning the instrument, Rico always listened to the facinating sounds of Latin music such as salsa and boleros.

Rico wanted to create his own acoustic guitar sound after listening to so much flamenco and Latin music. He began to write and record his own compositions. Rico began to perform as a acoustic guitar soloist and with small ensembles with various well-recognized musicians in Los Angeles. Within a few years, Rico recorded his first CD entitled "Echoes in the Park". The songs in this CD display a vibrantly colorful yet dark and nostalgic acoustic guitar sound. Rico is constantly challenging himself musically, trying to always maintain a signature acoustic guitar sound and is always working on various musical projects. Rico Espinoza is currently in the process of recording his new CD which will consist of timeless Latin classic songs by master Cuban and Puerto Rican singers such as Ismael Rivera, Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez, and Benny More. Rico is currently residing in Los Angeles California.