Ricardo García-Curbelo, one of the finest composer/performers of today’s Latin American...

.ricardocurbelo.com

(Latin American poetical, world, new wave and traditional harp music)

Performances for

concerts, weddings, festivals, radio, television, films, educational institutions, charity events and private functions

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As a young artist Ricardo shared stage performances with international stars such as Julio Iglesias, at La Media Torta (Bogotá). He toured extensively throughout Colombia and Venezuela, after being selected by Polimeros Colombianos as one of the National leading representatives of the Llanos as a poet and a dancer. He has also toured to Brazil, Mexico and North Africa. The special talent that Ricardo showed early as an artist on stage before the maestro representatives of Llanero music (Joropo), led him to be the youngest dancer and composer/poet/performer to be awarded International first prizes on several occasions. He is a winner of six international competitions in his home land, three as poetry writer and performer and three as a dancer. His restless desire to contribute and to open new horizons for his culture, led him to construct a new Latin American harp, and with this instrument, the development and presentation of a unique new wave of poetic music. In 1990 he introduced on British Television his first version of this instrument, and in January 2000 he completed and gave his first concert in London with his new design, the Modelo Corvado. To date his work exceeds five hundred compositions of music and poetry, two (unpublished) books, and a bilingual play, EL GRAN BRINDIS, ‘The Great Toast’, (1990).

As a poet, Ricardo is artistically known as El Cóndor. He is one of the Colombia’s leading poet performers. Several of his poems have been recorded by other artists. His most well-known titles include: COLOMBIA PARA TI, LA VERDAD DESNUDA, EL QUE MANDA ES EL BILLETE, FOLKLORE, LADRON ES EL QUE ES PENDEJO, LA VERDAD DESCUBIERTA , CARTA A MI PUEBLO EL IRRACIONAL and more recent, his music poetical- progressive composition, THE HOMO SAPIENS DREAM.

Poet Ricardo García-Curbelo is one of the finest composer/performers of today’s Latin American harp music.

He studied the harp at the Music Academy of Villavicencio, with Luis Alberto Curvelo, his brother and Director of the institution. Ricardo later became Director of Dance for 3 years at this academy. The two brothers founded The Music Academy of Puerto Carreño (Vichada) and Ricardo lead the first music cultural representation of the region, which was awarded first prizes internationally. He went on to study music theory at the Music Academy Luis A. Calbo and attended voice production classes with legendary maestro cultural promoter, Manuel Zapata Olivella, at the National University in Bogotá. His musical influences stem from Joropo, a music that combines poetry, with Classical, Flamenco and Jazz.

Ricardo is a unique and dedicated artist, known and loved for his passionate, gifted way of communicating with the public. He sings and plays the Modelo Corvado harps and the cuatro, a four strings guitar from Colombia and Venezuela. His reserved personality illustrates the characteristics of the real Llanero who knows well the roots and values of his culture.

Ricardo lives in England. He married Sharon Elizabeth Peters. They had met previously in Colombia and lived together in Bogotá. It was to Sharon that he wrote one of today's most loved poems of his country, Colombia Para Ti. From their marriage they have a son, Alex.

Ricardo continued studies of voice production and music composition at the City Literary Institute in London. He studied also English as a Second Language and Spanish Literature at the Polytechnic of Central London.

In 1987 Ricardo formed the group MATIZ. He has given performances in a wide range of halls, theatres and educational institutions and has represented Latin America both as soloist, and as leader of MATIZ throughout the UK in different musical events, such as the Edinburgh International Festival; Cardiff World Harp Festival, Pontardawe Festival, Music for Clarinbridge (Ireland), Art in Action Oxfordshire (England); (FITA) Festival of International Theatre and Arts London; O' Carolan Harp Festival (Ireland); Festival, The National Eisteddfod Of Wales (Wales); Woodford Festival (England); Colombiage Cultural Festival 2010 London.

He has given several benefit performances in England, the most recent being for a video documentary, From the Cradle to The Universe, released by Theatro Technis Charity (London); a concert in aid of Children of the Andes at St James Church, Piccadilly (London); a concert in aid of Cancer Research at Epping Hall, Epping. Charity concert for St Catherine’s Church, Ventnor (Isle of Wight); CONCERT FOR JAPAN, charitable Concert to raise awareness and funds for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami catastrophe in Japan in April 2011.. Over the past few years he has become one of the favourite performers in Art in Action in Oxfordshire and he is one of the guest artists for 2013

His originality, enhanced by the impressive sound response of his unique Modelo Corvado harps keeps taking audiences by surprise.

Many compliments have been written about his performances:

A night of powerful, breathtaking and simply spectacular music from this master player of the Latin American harp

(Concert in Wales, described by Valleys Roots)

He has got to be seen to be believed

(Time Out)

Music, passion and virtuosity on stage

(Theatro Technis)

The New Face of the Harp

(Colombia Activa magazine review)

A record marked by its creative ideas and sensitive poetry. There is a true sense of the texture of Latin America here, marked by hopes and dreams as well as emotional experiences…

The Orinoco Dolphin album, reviewed by Folk Roots magazine

Ricardo has recorded three singles and three albums of his own compositions, and has contributed to many others. He has recorded live performances for BBC Radio and TV, and Satellite BSB TV.

Many talented soloist musicians have shared the stage with Ricardo, amongst them, pianist/composer, Frank Abbinanti, classical guitarist David Caswell, Master Harpist of the triple harp, Robin Huw Bowen, guitarist singer/songwriter, Kai Jansen and classical guitarist, Adrian Smith. He has performed along with many leading musicians/performers such as Jazz singer, Sarah Jane Morris, harpist/singer, Marie Ni Chathasaigh, , guitarist, Christ Newman, Legendary folk artist, Martin Carthy, Jazz-fusion guitarist, Simon Cruz, classical violinist, Ann Wood, classical cellist, Helen Godbolt, and dramatist/saxophonist, Make Chase

His vibrant and romantic compositions, along with colorful traditional melodies, have added a unique, sparkling touch to many beautiful and memorable wedding receptions.

In October '05 Ricardo toured Ireland, where he received a standing ovation at Clarinbridge International Festival. He gave several performances, such as the Universities of Galway and Limerick. In Clarinbridge 2 years previously he was presented with an award in recognition of his work as a composer, musician and performer

Possibilities are arising for future performances abroad. He has been invited to travel to Colombia, to Los Llanos to pick up an award which he would be honored to receive next time he visits the country

The Latin American Professionals

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