www.noontimeconcerts.org
Jack Cimo is a classically-trained Spanish guitarist known for his powerful presence, beautiful tone, and exciting renditions. Having played the guitar since he was a toddler, his devotion to the instrument has directed the course of his life. He has over 20 years of performing experience and now calls San Luis Obispo, California home.
He has worked with Grammy-award winning musicians such as Steve Suvada, William Kanengiser, and Pepe Romero; and has captivated audiences in Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Houston, Costa Rica, and Ireland to name a few. He has been a finalist or prizewinner in various competitions, including winning USC’s Presser Award and taking 3rd in the Sierra Nevada Guitar Festival. He was recently one of two Americans to be invited to the prestigious Joann Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition in Buffalo, NY.
Jack is passionate about exploring different styles and has a mastery of Spanish classics, romantic Italian music, and festive Central and South American pieces. His wide repertoire includes everything from Baroque and Renaissance music to avant-garde pieces and The Beatles.
Mr. Cimo frequently performs with various chamber music ensembles. He was a member of Chicago’s MODE Ensemble, an innovative group that performed many different programs, including American, Nordic music, and French Baroque. He and cellist Allegra Montanari formed Duo Sogno, playing a rarely heard combination of instruments. They performed the Midwest premiere of Bogdanovic’s Rainforest Canticles in 2015. As a member of the Helios Guitar Quartet, he released in 2013 the first guitar version of J.S. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier (Book 1), available on iTunes. He is also a frequent collaborator with singers; he debuted Jordan Nelson’s Around the Thrown for guitar and soprano and joined the What’s Next Ensemble for a performance of Michael Gordon’s modern opera Van Gogh, playing electric guitar.
After graduating from USC’s Thornton School of Music with a degree in Classical Guitar Performance, Jack focuses on delighting communities through touring as a soloist, sharing his passion through teaching, and running both the Sierra Nevada Guitar Competition in Reno, NV and the San Francisco Bay Guitar Competition. He performed the Concierto de Aranjuez multiple times this year, most recently with the Tehachapi Symphony Orchestra. Conductor Jane Brown said of his performance, “Mr. Cimo plays with expressive depth, great feeling, and brilliant virtuosity. His performance of the Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez was a season favorite that our audience and musicians are still discussing in appreciation and awe.”
His high-quality music videos can be viewed on his YouTube channel Jack Cimo. When he’s not playing guitar, Jack can be found snowboarding, hiking, and devouring dark chocolate. For more information, check out his website at www.jackcimo.com