Biel Ballester studied classical guitar at the prestigious Luthier
School in Barcelona, Spain. There he spent two years under the
instruction of teacher/concertist Alex Garrobé and four
years with teacher/concertist Fernando Rodriguez. Complimenting
his formal musical studies,
Biel has also taken guitar master classes from respected musicians
such as José Tomás, David Russell, Aniello Desiderio,
Manuel Barrueco, Marco Socias, Hopckinson Smith and Jordi Savall
(the last two specializing in Baroque music). Biel finished
his curriculum at Barcelona's superior conservatorium in the
year 2000. Subsequent demand for his awe-inspiring style and
technique have enabled him to perform in several countries such
as Spain, France, Holland and Germany including multiple appearances
at Barcelona's International Jazz Festival, The International
Jazz Festival of Terrassa, and the
International Guitar Festival of Mallorca. Making waves on both
sides of the Atlantic, two of Biel's tracks featured here were
selected for inclusion on the Various Artists compilations,
Django Festival Volumes 3 & 4, produced by Hot Club Records
in Oslo, Norway, placing the Catalan guitarist in the company
of international jazz stars such as
Jimmy Rosenberg and Angelo Debarre among others. A young talent
holding great promise, Biel Ballester is on the short list of
possible artists slated to perform at several upcoming international Django Reinhardt Tribute Festivals including those in the United
States. So be on the lookout for the Biel Ballester Trio performing
in a city near you.
