Guitarist and Composer Stefano is a former child prodigy who comes from a Musical Family. As a performer Stefano is known for his Dynamic Stage Presence and Brilliant Technique. He has appeared across the US and Europe as Solo Recitalist, Concerto Soloist,Chamber Musician, and as Half of the Renown “Edwards-Simmons Guitar Duo”.

Stefano holds a Bachelors Degree from De Paul University in Chicago, where he studied under guitar legend Leon Borkowski and persued Master of Music studies as a scholarship student under master teacher Mark Maxwell. Stefano has also studied with guitar masters Pepe Romero, Christopher Parkening, Denis Azabagic, Douglas Neidt, and Robert Guthrie. He was runner up in the American Society of Musicians Guitar Competion.

Stefano has been featured in performances with many notable artists, including flamenco guitar master Carlos Montoya, violin virtuoso Gidon Kremer, and legendary jazz pianist George Shearing. He has also been active in theatre productions, most notably The Goodman Theatre’s production of Federico Garcia-Lorca’s “Yerma” and Light Opera Work’s production of “Man of La Mancha”. His Recordings have been featured on WFMT fine arts radio in Chicago and on Radio France.

Stefano is a prolific composer for both film and live theatre, as well as his beautiful compositions for Guitarra Azul’s debut CD “Mariposa” and Guitarra Azul's latest CD "Oasis".

A Chicago native of Ecuadorian descent, Guitarra Azul’s David Chiriboga began playing guitar as a teenager. Originally trained on the guitar in both classical and folk styles, David’s passion for music was truly ignited when he discovered Flamenco.

David’s deep brown eyes and soft-spoken demeanor give him an air of quiet mystery, but with his guitar in hand he creates music full of pathos and pining perfect for the soaring passion of Guitarra Azul.

David’s love for flamenco brought him to Spain to study with master flamenco guitarists in Granada, Madrid, and Seville. In addition to Guitarra Azul, David has performed with the flamenco dance company Ensemble Espanol, Bandoleros, and El Payo. David has been seen on the ABC, FOX, and WGN television networks and has performed at eclectic venues across the country including U.S. Cellular Field, Café Bolero, Maya del Sol, Katerina’s and La Tasca in addition to performing for numerous concert appearances and corporate events with Guitarra Azul.

David maintains an active private studio in Chicago and has collaborated with the world-renown Old Town School of Folk Music for flamenco dance classes in which he both taught and played guitar. A Guitarra Azul member since 2006, David received his Bachelors degree from Northeastern Illinois University.

Be part of the excitement! Experience David’s sublime musicianship live with Guitarra Azul and come away thrilled and transformed by this master guitarist’s mesmerizing artistry.

Miguel is an accomplished percussionist in a broad range of styles - as one student put it, ‘The Indiana Jones of drums and percussion. ’ He has been performing jazz and pop professionally 20 years with the likes of Ellis Marsalis, Clark Terry, Frank Mantooth Big Band, and Kat Parsons Group.

Miguel is a percussionist graduated with honors from DePaul University where he earned a Bachelors degree in performance and composition. His world percussion credits include tabla drums with Zakar Hussain (India), recording with Pitu Leal (Brazil) and his current passion, multiple percussion for Guitarra Azul. He has performed music theater works, ranging from the traditional, Annie Get Your Gun, to the contemporary, Lord Of the Dance (various hand percussion). Miguel has performed and recorded chamber ensemble percussion for Cliff Colnot (Civic Orchestra Principal). Additionally, Miguel is a bandleader, producer (both live and studio, also entertainment director at Navy Pier), composer, arranger, teacher and session player.

Recent recording examples include arrangements for Rich Paterson (of Miles Davis fame) Group. Miguel composes snare drum solos, i.e., Firestorm and multiple percussion ensemble works published by Ludwig Music and Modern Drummer; he also composes and publishes percussion for music theater, most recently Soup Du Jour, for Light Opera Works.

Antonio is one of the most versatile and accomplished jazz bassists in the Chicago area. His performing credits include the Morris Ellis Jazz Orchestra, Pete Cozy Jazz Group (formerly with Miles Davis), and the Northern Illinois Jazz Band, as well as collaborations with Jazz greats James Moody, Frank Mantooth, Von Freeman, and Clark Terry.

Antonio has also shared the stage with gospel artists Tramaine Hawkins, The Staple Singers, The Winans, Jessy Dixon, The P.T.L. Singers, Calvin Bridges, The Wooten Choir Group, The Prophets, The Thompson Community Singers, and The Bartlett Sisters.

Antonio attended Columbia College majoring in music composition and electric bass studies with an emphasis in R&B, classical and jazz. A highly regarded and experienced music educator, Antonio taught promotion at Central State University and bass and jazz studies at Columbia College, in addition to general music at Our Lady of Grace and Joseph Warren Elementary.

Equally in demand for studio and show work, Antonio can be heard on jingles for Kraft, Leon’s Barbeque, Nelson Brothers, Picks & Pans, Let’s Talk Flicks, and Ready Wipe, as well as the campaign music for former Mayor Harold Washington. Antonio has recorded with the Thompson Community Singers, Calvin Bridges, The Prophets, The Barrett Sisters, Northern Illinois University Jazz Band (Live at Montraux), James Cleveland, Arthur Scales, Ethel Holloway, The Staple Singers, Rod McGaha, and Mike Hayward. He has also performed for many plays, including Your Arms Too short to Box with God, Dina, The Jackie Wilson Story, and The Other Cinderella.

In addition to being the bassist for Guitarra Azul, The Steve Edwards Orchestra, and Chicago’s celebrated Black Ensemble Theatre, Antonio is the owner of MhoonUnit Midi Recording Studio.

The incomparable Ruben Alvarez brings his unique blend of joyous energy and world-class expertise on all things percussion accompanied by his luminous smile to Guitarra Azul’s live shows. One of the nation’s most in-demand Latin percussionists, the Chicago-based Alvarez is an award-winning composer and multimedia producer with more than 24 years of professional touring and recording experience.

When not performing with Guitarra Azul, Ruben leads the Raices Latin Percussion Ensemble and El Trio Tropical in addition to serving on the faculty of both Northwestern and Roosevelt University. Other performance credits include numerous movie soundtracks, jingles, and live appearances with Chucho Valdez, The Commodores, Junior Wells and John Mayall, Dave Mason and Dennis DeYoung (STYX), legendary Latin artist Eddie Palmieri, Dave Valentin, Marc Antoine, and Anita Baker among others. Ruben performs with Chuchito Valdes’ Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble and has appeared at the Chicago, North Sea and Montreux Jazz Festivals. In addition, Ruben is a founding member of Chévere, a reknown Chicago-based Afro-Cuban Jazz group.

A dedicated music educator, Ruben has developed music presentations for the Ravinia Festival’s “JazzMentors” program, the International Association of Jazz Educators, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Ruben’s spectacular playing lays down the Latin groove with Guitarra Azul and has audiences out of their seats, dancing, clapping their hands while shouting “Oh, Yeah!”

Guitarra Azul’s show-stopping virtuoso percussionist Javier Saume-Mazzei hails originally from Caracas, Venezuela. Javier’s fiery intensity and exhilarating rhythmic drive captivates audiences and propels Guitarra Azul’s intoxicating Latin groove.

Javier began playing percussion at the tender age of eight, studying classical percussion and drum set with his uncle, Edgar Saume, and performing with the Gran Mariscal de Ayucucho Orchestra, Ensemble Gurrufio, and the Miranda States Orchestra in Venezuela prior to moving to Chicago in 2001.

Javier received his Bachelors degree at the Chicago College of Performing Arts of Roosevelt University where his teachers included Ed Harrison, Paul Wertico, and Guitarra Azul’s own Ruben Alvarez. One of the most accomplished hand-percussion artists of his generation, Javier has toured the U.S. with Rhonda Richmond’s “The Unbroken Circle: From Africa to the Mississippi” and shared the stage with Reginald Veal, Herlin Riley, and Cassandra Wilson in addition to the grammy-nominated Sones de Mexico Ensemble.

Who’s the smoldering Spanish beauty whose clicking heels, clapping hands and exotic sensuality audiences can’t resist? La Flamenca de Chicago! Cristina Dominguez Gutiérrez Heath has been heating up the dance floor with Guitarra Azul since 2007 with her fiery technique and entrancing stage presence.

A naturally gifted dancer whose Spanish and Mexican heritage imbues her interpretations with authentic brilliance, Cristina’s distinguished flamenco pedigree includes studies in Spain –the birthplace of flamenco—with Juana Amaya and Iniesta Cortez, as well as in the U.S. with such dance luminaries as Cristian Almodovar, Carmela Greco, Antonio Vargas, and Edwin Aparicio.

In addition to Guitarra Azul, Cristina has danced and appeared as a soloist with Las Guitarras de Espana, Flamenco Triana, and Soleo Dance Company—of which she is a founding member and master dancer. Cristina received a scholarship to Northeastern Illinois University where she earned her Bachelors and Masters Degrees and currently teaches latin dance at Manuel Peréz Elementary School as well as to adult students. In 2007 Cristina interpreted one of the most complex palos in the flamenco lexicon—the fiendishly difficult Solea—with renown Flamenco guitarist José Cortés “Pansequito” Hijó.

Cristina appears with Guitarra Azul in lavish costume as an integral part of the ensemble’s stunningly beautiful show. Be there for yourself and be transported to a different place and time as Cristina interprets Guitarra Azul’s enticing melodies and expresses them in the movement of every curve from head to toe. But come warned... once Guitarra Azul’s Latin temptress has got you she doesn’t let go!

Audiences across the nation are enthralled with Edwin Suarez, Guitarra Azul’s captivating flamenco dancer. Edwin embodies the soaring melodies and insistent rhythms of Guitarra Azul’s live show with his one-of-a-kind spellbinding precision and intensity.

Born and raised in Bogota, Columbia, Edwin moved to Chicago after receiving a full scholarship to pursue his calling under the instruction of Dame Libby Komaiko. His studies have taken him throughout the world from Spain to New York City and include apprenticeships with master dancers Irma Suarez Ruiz, Jorge Perez, Victorio Khorjan, Maria Elena, Juan Mata and Ana Gonzalez (founders of the Ballet Nacional de Espana), Marcos Flores, and Juan Parra.

Edwin is Artistic Director of Tierra Columbiana Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago, with which he toured Belgium and France. When not performing with Guitarra Azul, Edwin is an accomplished choreographer, director and frequent performer with El Payo Nuevo Flamenco Music Ensemble and the Hispanic Flamenco Ballet.

In addition to his formal dance training Edwin is skilled percussionist, delving deeply into African, Columbian, Caribbean, and Flamenco rhythms with David Montes and Raul Fernandez. Edwin’s primal rhythmic affinity and irresistibly commanding presence infuse his artistry with wild abandon. Experience the power of romantic flamenco music personified by Edwin’s expert artistry in person at the next Guitarra Azul performance in a seductive show sure to propel you to breathtaking heights!