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Internationally renowned guitarist, Luis Villegas-- a first-generation Mexican-American born in East Los Angeles, CA -- grew up between two musical crosscurrents: the traditional music he heard at home andthe rock and roll of Hollywood's Sunset Strip. Although Villegas fronted a number of rock bands as a teen-ager, eventually the music he heard inside of himwas channeled through an instrument from his youth: the spanish guitar.
Luis and his band gained a large following by performing constantly in theLos Angeles area before signing his first recording contract in 1998. He released his debut CD, Cafe Ole (Domo), that year which won him a spot on the Grammyballot for Best New Age Album of 1999 and gained Luis a following amongst fellow guitarists.
An even larger audience was introduced to Villegas viahis next CD, Spanish Kiss (Baja/TSR) in 2000 and the numerous compilation CDs he appeared in during the following two years. Guitarists worldwide took noticewhen Villegas' name appeared alongside guitar icons such as Al DiMeola, Steve Morse, Ottmar Liebert, Jesse Cook and Strunz & Farah.
Casa Villegas(Baja/TSR), his 3rd CD, was released in 2003 and marked Luis' debut as a producer as well as performer. It stayed on the SmoothJazz.com charts for six weeksafter its release on the strength of its single, "Whittier Blvd."
Luis has worked with some of the leading artists and musicians in the world. Herecorded a duet with classical guitarist Liona Boyd, in 2001 which was nominated for a Juno Award (the Canadian Grammy). In 2003, he performed with NuevoFlamenco guitarist Jesse Cook, and performed for Carmen Elektra and Dave Navarro's much-publicized wedding on MTV in 2004. He's also worked with JanetJackson, Marc Anthony's acoustic band and Placido Domingo.
Luis is one of the only artists of Mexican descent heard daily on smooth jazz radiostations across the country. He also performs regularly at some of the most prestigious Jazz Festivals such as The Playboy Jazz Festival, Catalina JazzTraxFestival, and The Sedona Latin Jazz Festival.
Luis can be seen and heard in movies such as "Collateral" starring Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx, "Lostand Found " with David Spade, and "Candyman III: Day of the Dead"
Luis is currently in pre-production on his 5th CD due out in 2009.
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The opening of the BCAM exhibit at the Los Angeles County museum was the setting for Luis' latest show. Over two days, Saturday and Sunday, Feb 16 and 17 Luis and the band performed to the delight of all in attendance. The open air amphitheater was the locale for the performance while all around other activities were carried on under sunny blue skies.Luis' jazzy rhythms inspired dancing on the grass as well as at the amphitheater
with even some as young as 2 getting into the action. On day one Pablo Correa on drums and percussion, Jesse Stern on bass, and Jose Garcia on vocals and guitar joined with Luis to thrill the crowds. On day two Juan Carlos Portillo swapped places with Jesse to provide his special bass sound.Check out the slideshow!
