Carlos Odria

The Carlos Odria Group is a high-energy acoustic ensemble that performs original compositions and arrangements of jazz standards and Latin American popular music. It delivers an exciting blend of international styles such as bossanova, Afro-Peruvian festejo, rumba flamenca, and Cuban son with an improvisational approach inspired by the rich tradition of American jazz. 

Peruvian-born guitarist Carlos Odria has been described as a "breathtakingly talented musician…with an immense technical skill" (Worcester Telegram) and as a "guitar wizard" (Gamble Rogers Fest). His original compositions and arrangements of jazz standards and Latin American tunes deliver an exciting blend of international styles such as bossanova, Afro-Peruvian festejo, rumba flamenca, and Afro-Caribbean vibes with an improvisational approach inspired by the rich tradition of American jazz. He holds a Ph.D. in Musicology from the Florida State University, where he also obtained a Certificate in World Music performance. He studied classical and Latin American folk guitar with acclaimed Peruvian guitarist Pepe Torres. Later on, he pursued advanced jazz studies with Richie Zellon, jazz guitar arranging with Leo Welch, and Venezuelan Cuatro at the Jose Luis Paz Conservatory in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

In 2014, the debut album of Omnimusica, an ensemble in which Odria was the lead guitarist, was included on the official ballot for the 57th Grammy Awards, in the World Music category.

Dr. Odria has performed at numerous concert halls, universities, and festivals and has shared the stage with renowned jazz, classical, and world music artists such as Jeff Denson, Longineu Parsons, Leon Anderson, Jacksonville Children's Chorus, Mlimani Park Orchestra, Mia Gormandy, Haigiong Deng, Silviu Ciulei, Jorge Continentino, Luis Rivera, Jeff Brooks, and Etienne Charles. Currently, he is an Associate Lecturer at the Performing Arts Department at UMASS Boston.
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