Gabriel Espinosa’s Brazilian Project

sponsored by Urban Acres Real Estate

About:  Gabriel Espinosa was born in Merida, Mexico, and began playing guitar at age six. ​ He performed with his brothers in “Los Deltons” at age fourteen. He earned a BA in music from Central College in Iowa, then graduated Magna Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music in 1983, where he formed the group “Ashanti.” He later obtained a master’s in jazz studies from the University of North Texas in 1995, producing albums for Mexican artists including Armando Manzanero.
Espinosa directed jazz studies at Central College, founded the “Vocal Combos” program, and led the Latin American Ensemble at Grinnell College. His band “Ashanti” recorded three albums and toured extensively in the Midwest and Mexico, collaborating with notable musicians like Alex Acuña and Anat Cohen. ​ He celebrated 40 years in music in 2008 with a concert in Merida. He performed internationally, including Italy, Italy, and the US, and recorded his first solo album in NYC in 2009 featuring prominent artists. ​
His projects include “From Yucatan to Rio” (2010), “Celebrando” (2011), “Samba Little Samba” (2014), and “Songs of Bacharach and Manzanero” (2016), often featuring renowned guest artists such as Tierney Sutton, Kim Nazarian, and others. His 2012 album “Celebrando” spent 26 weeks on JazzWeek charts, receiving positive reviews from major jazz publications. ​
In 2018, he released “Nostalgias De Mi Vida” with Kim Nazarian, and in 2023, “Bossas & Boleros” with multiple guest artists. ​ In 2025, he released an EP of big band arrangements. ​ He performed at notable venues like the Jazz Forum in Tarrytown and the Iridium in NYC. Currently, he teaches at The School for Music Vocations in Creston, Iowa, instructing in arranging, songwriting, bass, guitar, and directing ensembles.

Contact Information:
Web: www.gabrielespinosamusic.com/
Other links:
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