Alfonso Espriella

Voice, piano, cello, distorted guitars, bass and drums are the sonic components of the music of Alfonso Espriella. The explosiveness of the electric guitars and the drums merge with the tranquility provided by subtle and emotional moments to create a wide range of moods and sensations which allow the listener to experience a rich diversity of inner realities.

Colombian born Alfonso Espriella grew up within a family of musicians, which accounts for his early involvement with this art form. In 1998 he had an accident which ended up in the loss of his right leg. This was a strong turning point in his life and had a notorious influence on his artistic and creative process. His musical endeavor took on a deeper meaning as the desire for inner freedom and self-realization got stronger in his life and became a crucial element in his lyrics.

Espriella had the privilege of studying at the Berklee College of Music, from which he graduated in 2002 with a degree on Music Therapy. After completing his studies he moved to southern California where he continued the development of his music career. He formed a band with American musicians and performed frequently on bars and clubs around Los Angeles and San Diego. On 2006 he won second place on the “Sprint Battle of the bands” which is held once a year on the city of LA, with the participation of Latin-rock bands from all the state of California.

He recorded his first album “Trazos de Ser” (“traces of Being”) at Strate Sound Studios in San Diego, CA, under the engineering of Alan Sanderson (Rolling Stones, Weezard, Fiona Apple). Along with the album he produced 3 music videos, which have been aired by important TV networks in and outside of Colombia, including Latin MTV.

Along with his return to Colombia on 2007, his music has been gaining increased notoriety on both mass and alternative media; his song “La Flor” was on the first spots of the radio station “Radionica” for 4 consecutive months, due to requests from the public. He is currently playing frequent live shows with a band of recognized musicians from the rock scene of Colombia. With this band he has recorded new songs, some of which are included in the re-edition of his album “trazos de Ser”, which was released on February of 2009.

Amongst his latest presentations was a very successful appearance at the Festival “Rock al Parque” in Bogota, Colombia; the largest free festival in latin-america, which gathers an average of 90.000 people.

Live Presentations:

USA 2004 - 2007

House of Blues (Los Ángeles) – shared the bill with El gran Silencio.
House of Blues (San Diego) – (On 4 occasions).
The Palace – shared the Hill with Los Amigos Invisibles
Greek Theater – shared the Hill with Fobia and La maldita Vecindad.
San Diego Indie Music Fest. (on 2 occasions) – shared the Hill with Fishbone.
Bars and clubs in Southern California.

COLOMBIA (Bogota) 2007 - 2009

Teatro Libre of Chapinero with Cesar Lopez .
Teatro William Shakespeare with The Hall Effect
Fundación Gilberto Alzate Avendaño
Corferias
Museo Nacional
Festival Rock al Parque 2009
Bars and clubs.

ESPANA 2008

Plaza Mayor of Madrid, July 20 celebration: “Great concert for Peace”. Audience: more than 30 thousand people. Bars and clubs in Madrid and Barcelona.