04/03/2024. KeeneState Guitar Orchestra, Dr. Jose Lezcano, Director. Music from Argentina, Venezuela, Spain; European Baroque and Renaissance music.
04/06/2024 Guitar accompanist to Univ. of S. Maine concerto winner Jared Vigue in Rossini aria, "Ecco ridente in cielo," from Barber of Seville. 2:00 PM in McCormack Performing Arts Center, Gorham High School, Gorham ME.
04/14/2024 Memorial Service, private event. The Golf Club at Turner Hill, 1 Manor House Lane, Ipswich MA 01938. Sunday, 11:30 A.M.– 12:30 P.M.
04/19/2024. Solo concert of Cuban music. 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Trinity College Festival of Cuban Culture, 300 Summit Street, Hartford, CT CT 06106. Works by Ignacio Cervantes, Ernesto Lecuona, Leo Brouwer, and hits from Buena Vista Social Club.
05/03/2024 Alesandra Collins, soprano, Graduate recital, New England Conservatory. Mass. premiere of Lezcano's "Canciones de Libertad," with Lezcano accompanying on guitar.
05/11/2024 Music in Miami, solo recital, Music from Spain, Brazil, Cuba, and Motown! Jose Lezcano, guitar https://www.musicinmiami.net. Kailos Music and Art Academy, 20634 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura, FL 33180. (305) 933-4777.
5/12/2024. Solo Guitar Concert for Music Club of Hollywood. Music for Mother's Day: Works from Cuba, Spain, Venezuela, and Brazil. Anne Kolb Nature Center, Mangrove Hall, 751 Sheridan Street, Hollywood, FL 33021, 2:00 pm, free admission.
5.16.2024. New Hampshire Humanities Council Go-to lecture. The Guitar in Latin America: Continuities, Changes and Bicultural Jose Lezcano, concert guitarist and lecturer.Jose Lezcano presents a multi-media musical program that showcases the guitar in Latin America as an instrument that speaks many languages. Lezcano presents a variety of musical styles: indigenous strummers in ritual festivals from Ecuador, Gaucho music from Argentina, European parlor waltzes from Venezuela, and Afro-Brazilian samba-pagode. He also plays pieces by Villa-Lobos, Brouwer, Lauro, Barrios, Pereira, and examples from his Fulbright-funded research in Ecuador. Woman's Club of Concord,44 Pleasant Street,Concord NH 03301 603-225-3622. Thursday, May 16, 2024 5:30pm. Free event.
05/18,2024. North-South Consonance Series. St. John’s in The Village, 218 W 11th St; New York, NY 10011. Afternoon Mojito, 2pm. Premiere of Lezcano's "Mojito" for solo guitar and string orchestra. A celebration of Cuban mid-century dance genres; Son, Bolero, and Guaracha. Jose Lezcano, guitar; Max Lifcthiz, conductor; the North-South Consonance Chamber Orchestra.
8/21/2024 Seal Harbor Concert, with University of Southern Maine Trio. Private event. Jose Lezcano, guitar; Rebecca Hartka, cello; Robert Lehman, violin. Original works and arrangements by Lezcano.
8/31/2024 Private event, through Cousin Richard Associations, Moffat-Ladd House, Sat. 5 – 8 pm.
Concerts, 2022 - 2023
Concerts & Events, 2022 – 2023
Jose served in a one-semester position as Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris, in Spring ’22. He returned as Professor Emeritus at Keene State College for 2022-23.
1.31.22. The Guitar in Latin America: Continuities, Changes, & Bicultural strumming. Works by Milan, Sanz, Villa-Lobos, Brouwer, Merlin, Anido, Lauro, Figueredo, and Barrios. Examples of ritual music from Peru and Ecuador on charango and nine-string Cayambe guitar. Imholte 109, UM-Morris, 7 pm.2.
12.22. Jazz performance with singer Johanna Woodley. Stone’s Throw Cafe, 506 Atlantic Avenue, Morris, MN 5pm.
4.04.22. Collaborative concert with music faculty of Univ. of Minnesota, Morris. Works by Ponce, Harris, and Lezcano. 7pm, HFA Recital Hall.
June – Sept. 2022. Cheshire County Classic Concerts (see below). Jose served as Coordinator & Curator of this 10-concert series, funded by a grant from the Cheshire County Board of Commissioners.
9.28.22 Arts4NH Gubernatorial House Party, Gov. Chris Sununu, Keene NH. Wednesday, 5:30 pm.
9.30.22 Nova Arts Terra Nova, Jose Lezcano, guitarist, plays music of Spain & Latin America. 48 Emerald Street, Keene, NH. Saturday, 7 pm.
10.01.22 The Big E. Two performances, 12 noon and 5:30 pm. 1305 Memorial Ave, West Springfield, MA 01089. Through CRE Entertainment Associates (Portsmouth, NH).
10.8.22. Journey to Freedom. With mezzo-soprano, Cuban musician Zaray Rossi. World premiere of Lezcano’s new song cycle for Zaray, “Songs of Freedom: Canciones de Libertad,” on poems by Cuban authors about universal longing for freedom. Also solo guitar works by Cuban composers: Lecuona, Brouwer, Grenet, Cervantes, & Lezcano. Commission from Zaray through a grant from the NH State Council on the Arts. Palace Theater: Spotlight Room, Manchester, NH. 100 Hanover St, Manchester, NH 03101 7 pm.
10.9.22 Journey to Freedom. Matinee performance, 1 pm. with mezzo-soprano, Cuban musician Zaray Rossi. 10.12.22 Private event, Williamstown, MA, 121 Treadwell Hollow Road, 5 to 7 pm. 10.16.22 Duo Mundo Concert, Classical Cabaret, with cellist Rebecca Hartka and singer Jessica Rossi. Pop and classical music from Latin America and Spain.
11.30.22 Guitar Orchestra & Latin American Ensemble, Keene State College ensemble series. 7:30 pm, Redfern Arts Center, Wyman Way, Keene, NH. With guest Rebecca Hartka, cello.
01.19.23 Solo concert of Cuban solo guitar music at Sap House Meadery. Concert followed by multi-course meal of Cuban cuisine. 6 Folsom Rd, Center Ossipee, NH 03814 603-539-1672, info@saphousemeadery.com
02.26.23 Concert-lecture co-sponsored by the New Hampshire Humanities Association and the New Hampshire Humanities Council! Free to all.The Guitar in Latin America: Continuities, Changes and Bicultural Strumming. Feb. 26, Sunday, 4 pm.
Saint Anselm College, Dana Center for the Humanities, Rm 1D, Rundlett Hill Road, Manchester, NH 03102
03.11.23 Solo guitar recital. 3 pm, Tufts Library. 46 Broad Street, Weymouth, MA 02188. 781-340-5022.04.08.23 Solo guitar recital. Faculty artist series, Keene State College. Redfern Arts Center, Alumni Hall, 7:30pm. 603 352 1909.
4.22.2023. Solo guitar recital and CD release event. 2pm. Harvey-MitchellMemorial Library, Epping, NH. 151 MainStreet, Epping, NH 03042. 2023.
Solo guitarconcerts, and Lezcano orchestral / chamber music performances
5.05 & 5.06.23 Concierto Hispanomericano, world premiere by Maestra JoAnn Falletta and Buffalo Philharmonic. Soloists: Dan Pendley, Brett Shurtliffe (basses); Madelin Olson (harp).
05.06.2023 Tango Overture performed by the Keene Chamber Orchestra, Eric Thomas, conductor.
05.20.2023 Castellanos Anniversary, Private Event, Cuban music recital
06.03.2023 Benefit concert for West Claremont Center for the Arts)
06.06.23 Spanish guitar performance, Pavilion of Spain at the Biotechnology InternationalConference
07.29.23 Oneida Lake Arts & Heritage Center Summer Concerts, Duo Mundo, 6.30pm
08.06.23 Saint Gaudens, Duo Mundo, Rebecca Hartka, cello: Melissa Richmond, flute; Jose Lezcano, guitar. "Songs of Freedom." Music from the United States, Brazil, Argentina, and Cuba. https://www.nps.gov/saga/planyourvisit/summer-concert-series.htm
8.13.23 North Hall Series, Huntington MA, Duo Mundo, Rebecca Hartka, cello; Jose Lezcano, guitar
8.16.223 Kennebunport, Maine. Private event, 6 - 9 pm. Music of Spain, Latin America, Brazil, & Cuba.
9.8.23 Faculty recital with Artist Lecturer, flutist Krysia Tripp, University of Maine, Gorham, 8 pm.
9.18-22.23 University of the Pacific Residency; Clinics and Performances with Clarinet Professor Patricia ShandS and other faculty.
10.03.2023 Private Event. Claremont Savings Bank, Claremont, NH. 5:30 - 7:30pm
10.04.2023. Guitar in Latin America, virtual presentation. New Jersey, SomersetCounty Library, virtual. 7pm.
10.19.2023 Duo Mundo at Granby Library series, Granby Conn. 15 N Granby RdSte 1, Granby, CT 06035. (860)844-5275. Concert Thursday, 4 pm.
11.19.23 Solo guitar recital at Trinity Klein Lutheran Church, International Concert Series. Premiere of Del Himnario for Solo Guitar, a 20-minute three-movement work by Dr. Bill Brusick, Director of Music and Organist, dedicated to Jose. https://trinityklein.churchcenter.com/home
Concerts & Events, 2022
Summer 2022 edition. Made possible by a generous grant from the Cheshire County Board of Commissioners & the Cheshire County State Representatives, with special thanks to Commissioner Chris Coates.
Dr. José Lezcano, Professor Emeritus (Keene State College) and Coordinator of Cheshire County Classic Concerts.
1. Cuarteto Carioca! July 9, Central Square, Keene, NH, 3 pmDon Baldini, bass; Jose Lezcano, guitar; Marcia Lehninger, violin; Chris Swist, percussion; Carol Jean Swist, keyboards.Vibrant Music styles of Brazil and Cuba: Brazilian Samba, Choros, & Bossa Nova; Cuban Sones and Boleros.Son, and Bolero.
2. The Becker-Leach Duo, guitar & violin. July 17, Troy, NH, Gazebo on the Common, 2PM (Rain date, July 22) Sounds for a Summer Afternoon: Music by Piazzolla, Sor, Giuliani, and others. Jayna Leach: violin, Alyssa Becker, guitar.
3. The Keelan – Matathias Duo. July 22, Friday, Nelson Congregational Church, 830 Nelson Road, Nelson NH, 7 pm. Flute & Piano favorites from past & present: Hugh Keelan, piano; Robin Matathias, flute.
4. Duo Mundo: Lezcano-Hartka Duo July 30, Saturday, Nelson Congregational Church. 7 pm.Viva Havana! Sounds of Cuba, Music for guitar & cello with Duo Mundo: Jose Lezcano, guitar; Rebecca Hartka, cello.
5. Eskin-Lezcano Duo August 5, Friday, Civic Center, 40 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH, 7 pm. Spanish Nights! The vibrant music of Boccherini, Torroba, and Ponce for guitar & piano; solo works by Malats, Piazzolla, & Lezcano. Virginia Eskin, piano; Jose Lezcano, guitar.
6. Hillside Trio August 12, Friday, Dublin Community Church, 1125 Main St, Dublin, NH. 7 pm.Works by Mozart, Grieg, Tchaikovsky, & Richard Rodgers. Sussan Henkel, oboe; Doug Nelson, baritone horn; Barbara Summers, piano
7. Sounds of Syria & Ragtime classics! August 19, Friday, Swanzey Congregational Church, 7:30 pm Works by Joplin, Azmeh, and more. Virginia Eskin, piano; Melissa Richmond, flute; Consuelo Sherba, viola.
8. Spanish & Mediterranean Nights, Volume II:. August 27, Saturday, Dublin, NH. Dublin Community Church, 7:30 pmMusic of Spain & Italy: Boccherini, Scarlatti, Paganini, Castelnuovo-Tedesco.
9. Dreaming of Love: Music for Cello & Piano September 3, Saturday, Swanzey Congregational Church, 679 Old Homestead Highway, Swanzey, NH. 7:30 pm. Works by Liszt, Schumann, Fanny Hensel, Massenet, Rachamaninov, & Debussy. Duo Déjà vu: Rebecca Hartka, cello: Barbara Lysakowski, piano
10. Music of Spain: Renaissance & Romantic Masterpieces, with some Latin jazz classics. Singer Jazimina MacNeil, José Lezcano, guitar. Sumner Knight Chapel, Greenlawn Cemetery, Keene, NH. Sep. 10, 4 pm
Free admission. Concerts made possible by a grant from Cheshire County Board of Commissioners & Cheshire County State Representatives.Dr. Jose Lezcano, Coordinator603 313 3027
Concert & Events, 2021
Jose is currently serving as Distinguished Visiting Professor of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota, Morris, for Spring semester '22.
1.21.2022 The Guitar in Latin America: Continuities, Changes, and BiCultural Strumming. Lecture & performance. Univ. of Minn. Morris, Imholte 109, 7 pm.
2.12.2022. Jazz performance with singer Johanna Woodley; Stones Throw Cafe, 506 Atlantic Ave, Morris, MN, 5 pm.
4.04.2022. Collaborative concert with UM-Morris faculty. Works by Ponce, Harris, and Lezcano. HFA Recital Hall, 7 pm.
3.6.2021. Live-streamed concert and pre-concert clinic on Cuban and Brazilian guitar rhythms. Mariposa Museum, Peterborough, NH. See replay, buy at website
https://youtu.be/WrAsDuSSFgc (Lecture-concert, the Guitar in Latin America)
https://youtu.be/e2D50uu7o2U (Clinic on Cuban and Brazilian rhythms)
3.19.2021. Mountaintop Music Academy, live-streamed solo guitar recital from the Majestic Theater, Conway, NH.
https://mountaintop.anywhereseat.com/channel.php?ludus=1
https://mountaintop.anywhereseat.com/access.php?event_id=11764 (buy virtual ticket)
4.28.2021. Keene State Guitar Orchestra, Springconcert. Works by Part, Telemann,Albinoni, Granados, Brahms. Redfern Arts Center, 7.30 pm, live and live-streamed.
6.04.2021 Kinti Ensemble (guitar, cello, and Andean winds) at Nubanusit Community; 7 Callies, Common Peterborough, NH 03458. 10:30 am. Hybridized music of the Americas and the Andes.
6.05.2021 Loon Mountain, Conway, NH. Private Event.
6.11.2021 Live-stream solo guitar recital for Music Club of Hollywood, Florida. Mostly Latin: Music of Spain and Latin America.” Spain’s Golden Age is represented with Renaissance dances by Narvaez and Mudarra for the Vihuela, a sixteenth-century precursor of the Spanish guitar. The program features my most recent composition composed during the lockdown in 2021, Etudes in a Time of Coronavirus. These are individualhomages to composers and their styles: Ravel and French impressionism; Paraguayan guitarist-composer Agustin Barrios; jazz pianist Bill Evans, andSpanish composer-guitarist Francisco Tarrega, whose two character pieces, Danza Mora and Maria-Gavota, I’m also playing. On the program are three Venezuelan waltzes by Antonio Laura, described as the Strauss of the guitar for his graceful waltzes that hybridize Viennese charm with Latin-American syncopation. From Cuba there are two Contradanzas, originally for piano, by the 19thcentury composer Ignacio Cervantes, a pioneer of Cuban musical nationalism. I’m also playing movements from the Sonatina by Lennox Berkeley, a masterpiece of the Julian Bream canon,which references in some passages flamenco and jazz, while being thoroughlyFrench in inspiration and harmony (Berkeley studied with Ravel). Danza in E minor by the recently departed Argentine guitar maestro Jorge Morel, and a flamenco Soleares by Celedonio Romero, round out the expansive program.
6.19.2021 West Claremont Center for Chamber Music, andNew England Foundation for the Arts present Music of Latin America, with JoseLezcano, guitar; Sally Pinkas, piano; and Melissa Richmond, flute. Piazzolla: History of the Tango. Ponce: Sonata for guitar and piano. Lezcano: Vals Venezolano for flute, guitar,and piano. Other works by Latin American composers.
8.06.2021 TrioCarioca with guest vocalist Jazmina MacNeil. Trio Carioca is Jose Lezcano, guitar; Marcia Lehninger, violín; ChrisSwist, percussion and Latin percussion. ClaremontOpera House. Bossa Nova, Tango, andCuban son and bolero. 7 pm. For more information see https://joselezcano.wordpress.com/trio-carioca-latin-band/
8.11.2021 Solo guitar recital for Hampshire Music Club. Works from Spain and Latin America; original works by Jose Lezcano. 1 pm, Florence Civic Center at 90 Park St. in Florence, Massachusetts
9.05.2021 Private Event: Austin Surette. Purity Spring Resort 1251 Eaton Road, Route 153,Madison, NH 03849
10.17.2021, Sunday, 3 pm. Redfern Arts Center, Alumni Recital Hall. Libertango! Keene State College Faculty Concert with Ensemble Trio Mundo. Hybridized music of the Americas. Jose Lezcano, guitar; Rebecca Hartka, cello; and Marcia Lehninger, violin.
12.01.2021, Wednesday, 7:30 pm. Redfern Arts Center, Alumni Recital Hall. KSC Guitar Orchestra: Music of Brazil, Ireland, England, & Germany. Works by Mozart, Byrd, Machado, and others. Dr. José Lezcano, Director.
12.06.2021 Remote / Zoom recital for Chesterfield Library, NH. "The Guitar in Latin America." Works by Milan, Sanz, Villa-Lobos, Brouwer, Merlin, Lauro, Figueredo, Barrios, and Cervantes. Sponsored by New Hampshire Humanities Council.
12.08.2021. Solo Recital for Hillside Village Concert Series. Works
by Sor, Villa-Lobos, Lezcano, Scarlatti,Albeniz, and Malats.
Art After Work featuring José Lezcano, September 3 Join us for Art After Work: Free Thursday Nights from 5 pm to 8 pm. Free admission to the museum, live music with twice Grammy-nominated composer and guitarist José Lezcano outside in the Zachos Court, happy hour drink specials, and a full menu available for purchase every Thursday night! Space is limited, and advanced reservations are highly recommended. http://currier.org/ 9.20.2020
First KSC faculty recital, solo guitar music of Brazil. 3 pm. http://www.keene.edu 9.25.2020
10.10.2020 Duo Mundo Concert with Rebecca Hartka, cellist, in Ghent NY.
Saturday Oct. 10, 3:00 pm Chatham, NY,
Community Connections, with Jose Lezcano, guitar, Bach to Brazil, Adult-$25, Senior-$20, Member-$15, Student-$10
Camphill Ghent, 2542 Route 66, phone: 518-392-2760
10.12.2020 Collaboration with Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Dartmouth Hopkins Center, and West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts: Couch Concert, with Melissa Richmond, flute; Music to Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. Works include Lezcano’s Sonatina Tropical, and arrangement of Pajaro Campana (to purchase sheet music at Alry Publications, https://ummpstore.com/search?q=lezcano)
12.06.2020 12.06.2020 NHHC To go-lecture series. JoseLezcano presents a multi-media musical program that showcases the guitar in Latin America as an instrument that speaks many languages. Lezcano presents a variety of musical styles: indigenous strummers in ritual festivals from Ecuador, Gaucho music from Argentina, European parlor waltzes from Venezuela,and Afro-Brazilian samba-pagode. He also plays pieces by Villa-Lobos, Brouwer,Lauro, Barrios, Pereira, and examples from his Fulbright-funded research inEcuador. This is a virtual program.Please register for Zoom access here: https://bit.ly/3kmMgg5