Steeped in blues, rock, and jazz guitar Miguel has played professionally for over 25 years and composed an original catalog of beautiful acoustic and electric guitar instrumentals in blues, rock, jazz, and latin styles, and interesting new hybrid blends which combine country and classical, blues and reggae, latin and blues (Spanish Blues). His performing repertoire also includes original chord/melody arrangements of many Brazilian and Jazz standards.

Over the years Miguel's band 'The San Miguel Project' has featured such musical talents as Lawrence Dixon (Wilson Pickett) on keys, Larry Washington (Tina Turner) on drums, Rick Fierbracci (Yanni, Frank Gambale) on bass, Joel Taylor (Alan Holdsworth, Brian Bromberg) on drums, and Paul Kerstan (Kiluea) on drums.

In 1999 'The San Miguel Project' was Arizona University Recordings' Grammy nominee entry in the Best New Artist and Best Pop Album categories.

Bio

Miguel Balmaceda was born January 31, 1953 in Colon, Panama. His hard working parents emigrated to New York City, where he was raised until his teens. The migration continued west to California, where his ear latched on to an eclectic blend of pop, rock and jazz influences. Everything from Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, to the Doors, to John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, to Carlos Santana.

"It was Carlos who influenced me the most, particularly on a spiritual level. Of course musically as well, but it was the completely inspirational quality of his mid-70s recordings 'Caravanserai', 'Welcome', and 'Borboletta' which really drove me to become a player. Eventually, I wanted to generate in my own playing, the same kinds of inspired emotions Carlos had evoked in me. There were other albums from that period which moved me as well. Robin Trower's 'Bridge of Sighs', and McLaughlin's 'Birds of Fire' were mind expanding masterpieces. But it was Carlos who made my heart soar the highest."

In 1984 Miguel enrolled in Hollywood's Guitar Institute of Technology (now the Musician's Institute). "That experience at G.I.T. was the turning point for me as a player. Until then I had always had the desire and talent I think, but not the confidence to believe I could ever develop a career in music. But, it was that experience which led me to develop a jazz vocabulary, composing, and eventually the recording of my first album 'The San Miguel Project'."

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