Artist Information
Biography
Angelo Pizarro guitar virtuoso and composer – writes and performs brilliant, improvisational acoustic and electric guitar music, mixing the traditional sounds of his Filipino heritage with the electrified funk and rock of his youth. In the past several years he has focused on the acoustic sound of the Spanish guitar, blending it into the mix and creating a beautiful eclectic style.
Angelo was twelve when he began playing guitar by ear. In the basements of southeast Seattle; music was religion, funk was its language, and Hendrix and Santana saved souls. He jammed with friends throughout high school and was a player in the Rainier Beach High School Jazz Ensemble and the Franklin High School Jazz Lab. During a brief stint at Cornish he was introduced to new levels of understanding music. His music became more focused, incorporating theory and technique with his raw talent and instinctive ability to create his own distinctive style. He solidified his love and respect for the guitar and developed a true appreciation for all styles of music. His repertoire also includes performing traditional Philippine folk songs and the kundiman, the beautiful Philippine love songs of the early 19th century, Europeanized during the Spanish colonization.
A quiet person, belies guitar playing full of verve and conviction. Angelo continually pushes beyond limits and boundaries, searching to find new ways to express himself, all the while bringing his audience over the edge. His control of the guitar is complete, it shows itself in his improvisational style, he plays without fear.
His strength and versatility allow him to excel in a variety of settings. He never passes up an opportunity to share his music. He enjoys the freedom of performing solo, yet he also enjoys the challenge and inspiration of collaborating with other talented musicians and artists.
He has performed for audiences in Washington, Oregon, California, Missouri, Virginia, Nevada, Alaska and Toronto Canada. He has produced, recorded, engineering and mastered other artists’: Soul Lyric, Badjao and soundtracks for Sining Kilusan’s “Heart of the Son” and “Central Soul”.
His self-produced debut CD Serendipity features original compositions, a balance between technique and creativity, speaking with instinctive clarity, communicating with sincerity the passions that stir in his soul. For more information about Angelo check out his website at www.angelopizarro.com. All music on this CD is composed, produced, arranged, engineered, mixed and mastered by Angelo.
Instrumentation
Angelo Pizarro - Acoustic and Electric Guitars
Matthew Vining or Dale Catlett - Drums
Leila Ladines or Patrick Panlasigui - Keyboard Bass
Ray Salvador - Congas/Percussions
Discography
Serendipity - 2004
All music on this CD is composed, produced, arranged, engineered, mixed and mastered by Angelo.
1. Ecstacy (5.01)
2. Prettiest Smile (5.17)
3. Reflections (6.30)
4. Paradise (4.53)
5. Just For You (4.41)
6. Moments (5.35)
7. Pearl Of The Orient (5.06)(direct version)
8. Pearl Of The Orient (bonus, mic'd version)
Total Time (40.89)
Links
Photo Gallery
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Angelo
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Ihaw-Ihaw Festival
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Angelo Pizarro Group
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Angelo on PRS electric guitar
Download print quality (high-res) version -
Angelo on acoustic nylon/electric guitar
Download print quality (high-res) version
Press
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Ann-Marie Stillion and Pio de Cano II
“… Pizarro was hailed by Santos as the best on the West Coast.”
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Ronald S. Buenaventura
[+ Show ]
“…Pizarro literally rips it up on the guitar and his performance has been described by audiences ...
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Joanne Alcantara, Article, “Heart of the Son” Brings Revolution to Stage
“…the opening guitar solo by Angelo Pizarro alone is cause for a standing ovation.”
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Article, Oregon Asian Celebration draws large crowd in Eugene
“A special treat…Pizarro delivered an astonishing blaze of fingerwork…”
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Annaliza Torres
[+ Show ]
“…Before the curtain rises, a beautiful piece by guitarist Angelo Pizarro transforms the mood…” ...
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Cynthia M. Ramos
[+ Show ]
“…We could see what a master of his art he was. (He) reminded us of the great guitar master, And...
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2004 and 2005 NW District GC Guitarmaggeddon Winner
Winner of the Guitar Center's 2004 and 2005 Northwest District Guitarmaggeddon
Setlist
Oye Como Va - Santana
Black Magic Woman - Santana
Anak - Freddie Aguilar
Turkish Night
Chinese New Year’s Song
Historia De Un Amor
El Farol - Santana
Flight To Paradise - NovaMenco
Na-Na-Na
Silent Kiss - NovaMenco
My One and Only Love
Broken Hearted
Along the Journey (Original)
Flame (Original)
Tinikling
Close To The Edge - NovaMenco
Europa - Santana
Victory - Santana
I can do 4 to 5 sets, each set consisting of 7 - 10 songs, lasting up to an hour a set. I perform originals and covers. My repertoire consists of Jazz, Latin, Pop instrumentals.
