For over 15 years, guitar masters Sergio Lara and Joe Reyes have
been respected and considered as some of the best artists in
acoustic contemporary instrumental music. Their last recording "World
Jazz", received a "Latin Grammy Award" nomination
for "Best Instrumental Pop Album" in 2001.
Perhaps better known as Latin guitar super duo Lara & Reyes,
Sergio & Joe have explored a great variety of styles that
show their eclectic taste. During their long collaboration, which
have include 6 albums recorded for the Higher Octave Music label,
they adapted musical traditions from all over the world, with
rhythms from Africa and the Caribbean, chord structures from
Mexico and Spain, and melodic scales from the Middle East and
India, but always with an original stamp, that is basically the
acoustic guitar within the spirit of improvisation.
Their music belongs to what is known as Latin Jazz, which falls
under the category of Contemporary Instrumental Music and World
Music.
Lara & Reyes appear in 1994 with the album "Guitarras
Hermanas," the first one for Higher Octave Music. This album
of all original music, also included a new instrumental version
of the very popular and romantic song "Sabor a Mi".
Guillermo Juan Christie, from Guitar Player magazine, described
the music of Lara & Reyes as: "...the Latin guitar served
with plenty of Flamenco flavor and with an important contribution
to Latin Jazz..." this exotic combination of modern Jazz
melodies with powerful Latin rhythms quickly called the attention
of various radio stations in the United States and important
cities around the world.
In 1996, Sergio & Joe released their next production entitled "Two
Guitars-One Passion," which received worldwide attention
because of its original combination of different musical styles.
This album included an instrumental version of the well-known
Mexican classic "La Bikina," which it is still very
popular on many Jazz radio programs around the world.
Their next project was in 1997 with the album "Exotico," which
incorporated different instruments for the first time, like the
piano, flute, sax and violin, making a new mixture of sounds
with their guitars. With mostly original compositions this album
also includes new instrumental versions of the classic "Mi
Ciudad" and the standard "Brazil".
In 1998, with the album "Riverwalk," they give a twist
in regard to their compositions creating new rhythms and melodies.
This record includes a medley of 2 wonderful romantic Latin songs, "Solamente
una Vez" and "Amor, Amor, Amor," and in the year
2000, in celebration of the millennium they release "Navidad," on
which the duo enters fully into the music of the Christmas season,
playing new instrumental versions of 18 standard songs, incorporating
the mandolin with the guitar. This album still enjoys great sales
and has had great acceptance from the public.
In 2004, Sergio Lara released a new solo album for his new independent
label "Fusion Acustica Music." a CD of new original
instrumental music entitled "Con la Lluvia," which
includes a new version of the haunting traditional song "La
Llorona."
Currently in 2005, the duo is hard at work on a brand new original
recording and a DVD that they hope to release in the Fall.
The new projects will have all new tunes in their familiar
style but will include many new elements of other styles that
will give a new dimension to this super duo.
With a career that covers many years and 6 albums under their
name, Lara &Reyes have appeared in several concerts and participated
as headliners in important festivals, such as the "Jazz
Expressions" series in the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico
City; the "Lake Tahoe Jazz Festival", the "Catalina
Island Jazz Festival" and the Jazz's Alive Festival in San
Antonio, TX among many others; where they have shared the stage
with great artists like Al Di Meola, Larry Carlton, Bireli Lagrene,
Dr. John, Craig Chaquico, Joe Sample, Strunz & Farah, Bela
Fleck, Sam Bush and Paquito D'Rivera, as well as Julio Iglesias
and Ray Charles. They have also been included in various record
compilations with artists like Paco de Lucia, John McLaughlin,
Al Di Meola, George Benson, Pat Metheny, Strunz & Farah and
Vicente Amigo.
With their latest album, "World Jazz", Lara & Reyes
explore in more depth their original style, creating new possibilities
inside the world of contemporary instrumental music, sharing
improvisation and the spirit of adventure with their magical
guitars and seductive rhythms, giving their art a new vitality
and expression and winning new admirers worldwide.
