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Artist description
Michael Opolko is a Toronto based Guitarist/Teacher making a comeback to the city music scene. After raising a family, the musical itch has returned and the result is his debut CD – A Spanish Portrait. |
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Music Style
Latin Classical |
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Musical Influences
Joe Pass, Jose Feliciano, Laurindo Almeida |
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Similar Artists
Antonio Carlos Jobim, Baden Powell |
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Artist History
Michael’s former teachers include studio guitarist Tony Braden and classical guitar genius Eli Kassner. Michael’s influences include the late but fabulous jazz guitarist Joe Pass who he had the privilege of meeting during Joe’s performance at the Royal York Hotel some years ago. As a teenager, Michael was inspired by Jose Feliciano who seemed to redefine the use of the acoustic, classical guitar as a folk, jazz, latin, flamenco ‘machine’. Brazilian guitarist Laurindo Almeida and Baden Powell as well as Bossa Nova inventor Antonio Carlos Jobim have had a great impact on Michael’s musical sensibilities. The rhythms and harmonies of the dynamic little guitar trios that he observed while in Cuba (not to mention the big bands of Desi Arnaz and Chucho Valdez) have also had a part in shaping his sound. Among the ‘serious’ composers, Bach, Debussy, Rachmaninoff and Albeniz have been tremendously inspirational. Recently a workshop with the American jazz virtuoso Gene Bertoncini further opened the world of vertical and horizontal concepts for guitar. |
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Group Members
Michael Opolko - GuitarJean-Pierre Zanella - SaxophonesDan Gigon - BassYves Gigon - DrumsMonica Freire - Vocals, percussion |
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Instruments
Acoustic Guitar |
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Albums
A Spanish Portrait |
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Location
Toronto, Ontario - Canada |
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