Beau comes from a large musical family in Little Rock, Arkansas. He began his formal studies at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and later relocated to the Kansas City Conservatory of Music where he received a Masters of Music under Douglas Niedt. It was at this time that Beau met the musicians and founded the groups that he still performs with today such as tenor, Nathan Granner, classical violinist Gregory Sandomirsky, composer/pianist Brad Cox, and the Argentine Tango quintet Tango Lorca. His interest in exploring new repertoire, cultures and programming ideas has led to the creation of a large body of arrangements, transcriptions and compositions for the solo guitar and chamber music. Beau has also worked extensively with the Guthrie Theater of Minneapolis, Kansas City’s new music ensemble, New Ear and the Kansas City Ballet. Most recently he has co-founded the flamenco music and dance school Manos Rojas , the flamenco dance company Esencias Flamencas and the independent record label Tzigane Music , which is home to five of Beau’s own recorded projects. He has served as music faculty at both Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas and Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri and has continued his own musical studies with such masters as Antonio Andrade, Miguel Rodriguez, Santiago Aguilar, Pedro Cortez Jr. and Luis Heredia of La Repompa de Málaga. Through his many diverse projects and ensembles, Beau has had the great fortune of performing in almost every state in the U.S. as well as touring to Russia, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Germany, France and Switzerland. His music is regularly programmed on radio1 BBC, “Segovia a Yupanki†Radio Nacional Argentina, and “All Songs Considered†on NPR. Currently, Beau has become an avid student of Ottoman Classical Music and is studying the Oud.
The debut solo release from acclaimed guitarist Beau Bledsoe features a split program of Spanish Flamenco and Argentine Tango. This recording is the culmination of two decades of study and performance within these diverse guitar traditions and cultures. Here Beau performs compositions from some of Spain's most celebrated gypsy guitar dynasties as well as ground breaking works by the great Tango innovator, Astor Piazzolla. Joining Beau are his Argentine Tango ensemble, Tango Lorca and Argentine Bandonéon virtuoso, Hector Del Curto.
"The Histoire is the best I've heard, the Ave Maria unbelievable, and the Bulerias killer."
- Douglas Niedt
"My favorite piece on the album is the "siguiriyas y cabal". I found it very gripping - intensely emotional."
-Dennis Koster
Beau's new CD "¡Olé Che! and many other recorded projects can be purchased at the following links:
www.beaubledsoe.com
www.tziganemusic.com
