Oscar Lago

Oscar Lago, born in Cádiz, began his education as a guitarist with 10 years of age with masters Rafael Abujas, Rafael Porras and Andres Martinez, but later he would also study with the maestro Gerardo Núñez and with guitarists and musicians such as Ralph Towner, Manolo Perfumo or Norwegian Ole Andre Farstad.

At the age of 16, he began to work professionally in Spain. Later on, he began to work in some of the most prestigious flamenco tablaos in the international scene, such as Tablao Flamenco Cordobes or Tokyo’s El Flamenco, where he learned his craft and matured as an artist.

Oscar Lago has had the opportunity to collaborate as a guitarist and musical director with an extensive list of great artists in a multitude of projects, among which are: “Los Sones Negros” and “Flamenco y Oro” by Juan de Juan as musical director; Cuna negra cuna blanca” by Jesús Carmona as musical director; “Letters to Pastora”,”Return”,”Denominación de origen” and “Mudanza” by La Lupi as musical director; “D’Art” by Juan José Jaén “El Junco” as musical director; “Rinconete and cortadillo” by Javier Latorre; “Cheerful dances for sad people” by Belén Maya; “Immigration” by Ángeles Gabaldón; “Tranquilo Alboroto” by Rubén Olmo; “De Tablao” by Antonio el Pipa; “Memories of a forgotten” by Esther Esteban as musical director; “Cadiz de la Frontera” by Andrés Peña and Pilar Ogalla; “The threads of time” by Alicia Marques and Ramón Martínez; “Bronze Voices” by Guadiana; “Denomination of origin” by David Palomar or “Tour Chicuco” by Sergio Monroy, in addition to accompanying great artists such as Concha Vargas or Fuensanta la Moneta in their performances. Oscar Lago is currently one of the most trendy musicians and is regularly requested by major flamenco figures to work as musical director for his shows, performing at the world’s major flamenco festivals such as the Malaga Biennale, the Festival Flamenco de Jerez or the Biennial of Seville.

Thanks to his great technique, long experience as a guitar player and deep knowledge of flamenco, Oscar Lago also teaches Master Class around the world, in festivals such as the Thanzshouse Festival in Dusseldorg, the Flamenco Festival of Mont-de-Marsan, the Flamenco Festival Of Toronto, at the Flamenco Festival of Riversaltes, at the Campus Cinecittà Festival in Rome or at the Instituto Cervantes in Chicago.

As an interpreter, his performance as a solo guitarist at the Bienal de Sevilla in the “+ Jóvenes + Flamenco” cycle is a highlight, as well as his nomination for the Dora Mavor Moore Awards presented by the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA). Oscar Lago is also a consolidated producer with several recordings for other artists: “Monroy” and “Chicuco” by pianist Sergio Monroy; “Under the Romero” by Jesús Corbacho; “Pa mi Gente” by Manuel Parrilla; “Arroyo de la Miel” by Juan Requena as recording technician; “Locura” by Palodulce and “Diversidad” by Manuel Gago, besides being in charge of the production of the first album of the violinist Bernardo Parrilla.

One of the references and great influence in the compositions of the guitarist from Cadiz has been of course the maestro Paco de Lucía of which he says that he is everything for him, that there is not a day that he does not reminisce about the sadly deceased genius from Algeciras. His friend and teacher Andres Martinez has also been a great influence for him.