BIO
“I have heard many fine guitarists in concert which I have found to be beautiful. This was beyond beautiful. One was totally unaware of Cimo’s stellar technique because his music cut immediately to the soul. I was breathless.” (John Howard, DMA)
Jack Cimo is an American classical guitarist known for his powerful stage presence, beautiful tone, and exciting renditions. He frequently plays solo recitals and as a soloist with orchestra, most recently playing the “Concierto de Aranjuez” with the Santa Maria Philharmonic. He was one of two Americans invited to the prestigious Joann Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition in Buffalo, NY.
Conductor Jane Brown said of his playing, “Mr. Cimo plays with expressive depth, great feeling, and brilliant virtuosity. His performance of the Rodrigo ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’ was a season favorite that our audience and musicians are still discussing in appreciation and awe.”
His album Jack Cimo Plays Bach, Bogdanovic, Walton, and Arnold has earned accolades. Composer Dusan Bogdanovic said of the recording of his ‘Rainforest Canticles’, “It’s terrific! It’s definitely the best recording of the piece, very inspired, precise and expressive.”
Jack has brought guitar to new audiences around the globe. He has done multiple tours along historic Route 66 and has played everywhere from art galleries to concert halls such as the Harris Theater in Chicago and UNM’s Keller Hall.
He believes in using his talent to help those in need, has done many volunteer performances at Chicago area hospitals, and organized and played Christmas concerts for the homeless at A Safe Haven Foundation. He organized and performed in a major benefit concert for the community of Paradise, CA, played a memorial concert for the victims of the Dixie Fire, and has done performances to aid the Standing Rock Protesters and Cardiac Care patients in Chicago.
Mr. Cimo frequently performs with various chamber music ensembles and is also dedicated to contemporary music. He was a member of Chicago’s MODE Ensemble. Programs included themes of American, Nordic music, and French Baroque, for which he learned figured bass notation in order to play continuo. He and cellist Allegra Montanari formed Duo Sogno, performed the US premiere of Bogdanovic’s Rainforest Canticles, and recorded a self-titled album in 2015. As a member of the Helios Guitar Quartet, he released in 2013 the first guitar version of J.S. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier (Book 1). He is also a frequent collaborator with singers; he debuted Jordan Nelson’s “Around the Thrown” for guitar and soprano and joined the What’s Next Ensemble on electric guitar in the acclaimed West Coast premiere of Michael Gordon’s “Van Gogh.”
In 2022, he commissioned Nelson to write “I Dreamt I was Underwater,” which combines live guitar with a soundscape created using electronics and previously recorded sound.
Jack studied classical guitar in William Kanengiser’s studio at USC’s Thornton School of Music, and with the legendary Pepe Romero. He recently completed a Master’s course in Music Performance and Interpretation in Palermo,Italy, with Lorenzo Micheli, Jérémy Jouve and Gilbert Imperial at MARTHA – Music, ART, House, Academy.
In 2022 Jack directed and played in the prestigious California International Guitar Festival (www.CAGuitarFestival.com). The Festival was held at Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo, and included artists such as Ana Vidovic, Pepe Romero, and more.
During the 2022-2023 season, Jack has toured in the US and Europe as a soloist, taught privately and given masterclasses.
For the 2023-24 season, Jack plays concerts in Italy, France, and Switzerland, Mexico, and recently performed Rodrigo’s Fantasia Para Un Gentilhombre this October and November with the Antelope Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Tehachapi Symphony Orchestra.
Jack is a sponsored artist for www.stringsbymail.com and the2mic.