Benjamin Barrile

Rooted in the traditions of flamenco, guitarist Benjamin Barrile prefers to speak through his instrument, expressing emotion without words. A remarkable soloist, Benjamin also excels as both accompanist and composer. His compositions are rich, complex and progressive without straying too far from Spanish gypsy tradition that stretches back hundreds of years.

Born in Toronto, Canada to a French-Canadian mother, and an Italian father, Benjamin was raised to embrace different cultures having spent much of his childhood traveling throughout North America, Europe and Asia with his family. It was flamenco that first sparked his desire to play guitar. His interest was awakened at a young age by his mother who would play her extensive collection of flamenco records in their home. Though he became emotionally affected by music in his youth, it was not until Benjamin had reached late adolescence that he decided to actively study music on a more career-minded level. After a period of self-teaching, he decided to pursue formal training in the styles of the music that attracted him the most, particularly flamenco and jazz.

Upon early graduation from high school, Benjamin set off to Spain for an extended period of time, in search of flamenco and what would be the most self-defining journey of his life so far. He traveled to what is known as one of the major centers of flamenco in Spain today, Jerez de la Frontera, in the Province of Andalucía where he studied primarily under maestros Manuel Lozano “El Carbonero,” and Gerardo Nuñez.

Benjamin would continue his musical training in Canada at Mohawk College’s Applied Music Program in Hamilton, Ontario, where he graduated with honours. There, his guitar studies would continue under the direction of classical guitarist Jonathan Earp. Benjamin would then seek out more formal instruction in the art of flamenco through renowned flamenco guitarist, Miguel de la Bastide.

In recent years, Benjamin has recorded for many artists including The Café Olé, a multi-award winning group that incorporates a unique mix of traditional flamenco and jazz, internationally renowned rumba flamenca group Gustavo Scolieri & Puente del Diablo, and jazz vocalist/composer Ashley St. Pierre just to name a few. In addition to leading his own group, El Mosaico, he is also a resident guitarist at Carmen Romero's School of Flamenco Dance Arts based in Toronto. Benjamin has appeared on numerous television and radio broadcasts including CBC, CityTV, Jazz FM, and Telelatino. Benjamin is also the co-founder of ModernToque.com, a website that has brought him a great deal of recognition amongst the international flamenco community. The site is dedicated to transcribing the complex intricacies of modern flamenco guitar to the music stave, an art that is very difficult to translate on paper and to which few individuals have attempted.

A skilled guitarist, who has participated in experiences of flamenco, jazz and other genres, Benjamin Barrile presents a convincing case of integration of musical schemes, which has come to be known as fusion. His songs express universal and deeply personal sorrows and joys. He continues to sustain a creative open mindedness towards new and different kinds of music, thus creating a unique style and magical blend of tradition and modernity.