Pepe Romero facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pepe Romero
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Pepe Romero in 2000
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| Background information | |
| Born | March 8, 1944 Málaga, Spain |
| Genres | Classical music, flamenco |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist, arranger |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | fl. ca. 1959 – present |
| Labels | Philips Records |
| Associated acts | The Romero Guitar Quartet |
Pepe Romero is a world-famous classical and flamenco guitarist. He was born on March 8, 1944, in Málaga, Spain.
Contents
About Pepe Romero
His Early Life
Pepe Romero was born in Spain. He is the second son of the famous guitarist and composer Celedonio Romero. His father was his only guitar teacher.
Pepe first performed in public when he was only seven years old. He played with his father at a concert in Seville, Spain. In 1957, his family moved from Spain to the United States. They settled in the San Diego area.
Teaching Music
Pepe Romero has taught guitar at several universities. These include the University of Southern California and Southern Methodist University. He is currently a professor at the USC Thornton School of Music.
In 2012, Romero also published his own guitar teaching book called La Guitarra.
Amazing Career Highlights
Pepe Romero made his first recording in 1959. It featured traditional flamenco music from his home region of Andalusia. When he was 16, he played flamenco in Los Angeles with his father and brothers.
As a solo artist, Pepe Romero has performed all over the world. He has played in the United States, Canada, Europe, China, and Japan. He has performed with many top orchestras. Some of these include the London Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
Romero has recorded over 60 albums. He made 20 albums with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. He also recorded 30 albums as part of the famous guitar quartet, The Romeros.
He has performed for important people like Presidents Jimmy Carter and Richard Nixon. He also played for the Queen of the Netherlands and Pope John Paul II. He has won many international awards for his recordings. He also received an honorary music degree from the University of Victoria in Canada.
Many famous composers have written music just for Pepe Romero. These include Joaquín Rodrigo and Federico Moreno Torroba. The legendary guitarist Andrés Segovia even chose him for a special world premiere performance.
Pepe Romero once said about playing music:
Music makes us communicate through our soul, and if you can leave the theatre feeling that connection, that’s what I want more than anything.
Even though he is known for classical guitar, Pepe Romero is also a very talented flamenco performer. His most famous flamenco album is called ¡Flamenco Fenómeno!.
The Romero Guitar Quartet
Pepe Romero is a key member of The Romero Guitar Quartet. This group is often called "The Royal Family of the Guitar." The quartet has had different members over the years:
- 1960–1990: Celedonio Romero, Celin Romero, Pepe Romero, Angel Romero
- 1990–1996: Celedonio Romero, Celin Romero, Pepe Romero, Celino Romero
- Since 1996: Celin Romero, Pepe Romero, Celino Romero, Lito Romero
Honors and Awards
In June 1996, Pepe Romero received the Premio Andalucía de la Música. This award recognized his contributions to the arts.
On February 11, 2000, King Juan Carlos I of Spain honored Pepe Romero and his brothers. He knighted them into the Order of Isabella the Catholic. This special ceremony took place at the USC Thornton School of Music. The Romeros also gave a gala performance there.
In 2007, the Romero Quartet received the President's Merit Award. This award comes from the Recording Academy, which gives out the Grammy Awards. In 2012, Romero's recording of Concierto festivo was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award.
Images for kids
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Pepe Romero in 2000
See also
In Spanish: Pepe Romero para niños
