Nevada County's Ivan Nájera brings all-star band to Center for the Arts

Ivan Nájera

Nevada County guitarist/singer/songwriter Ivan Najera brings an all-star collection of friends to the Center for the Arts for a stellar evening of original music on Saturday, Jan. 30

WHEN: Saturday, January 30, 8:00PM

WHERE: The Center for the Arts, 314 West Main Street, Grass Valley, CA

TICKETS: $20 in advance, $25 at door

       Limited VIP Seating - $35 includes: Reserved seats, VIP lounge and 1

free drink ticket

       Tickets at:

       The Center Box Office - 530-274-8384 ext 14

       Briar Patch - 530-272-5333

       Cherry Records - 530-823-2147

       Tickets online at www.thecenterforthearts.org

Nevada County guitarist/singer/songwriter Ivan Najera brings an all-star

collection of friends to the Center for the Arts for a stellar evening of

original music. Najera plans to present a collage including tango, flamenco,

and classical music with traditional Spanish and Latin American flavors.

 The lineup includes Bill Douglass - upright bass, Stephen Holland - guitar,

Grant Reeves - saxophones, Maggie McKaig - accordion, Craig Palmer – grand piano, Doug Matson - keyboards, Mikail Graham - evo and electric/acoustic guitar, Roger Aiton - flamenco cajon, Pat Jacobsen - electric bass, Dave Meyler - percussion, Rob Holland - percussion and upright bass, Joe Fajen - tablas, Mark McCartney - drums and members of the Nevada Union Chamber Choir - vocals.

 Born into a large, musical family in Quito, Ecuador, Iván Nájera began

singing and performing at the age of nine. A year later, he was awarded the

second grand prize in Quito's National Star Search Competition, a

distinction that strengthened his dream of a career in music.

 At 14, Nájera commenced his formal studies of guitar and piano at the

National Conservatory in Quito. Equally skilled in both performing and

directing, he led several high school choirs and musical groups, including

one with his five brothers.

 His fame grew throughout his teenage years, marked by national appearances on radio and television and triumphs at several musical competitions. In 1971, his expanding reputation as a uniquely talented musician blossomed when he was chosen to join a weekly musical television show, "Gente Joven" ("Young People"), which aired in Ecuador. After more than two years with the show, he went on to join a Colombian Latin jazz/salsa group as lead singer and guitarist, performing for a chain of international hotel-casinos throughout South America.

 In 1975, at the age of 22, Nájera moved to California to further his career.

Thanks to a combination of talent, tenacity, and providence, opportunities

in the music industry were abundant. He began performing and later recording his original compositions, and simultaneously earned a degree in digital electronics with an emphasis in television.

 Nájera's music has been described as exhilarating and contagious. Exciting

and explosive. Emotional and sensual. His influences are rich in cultural

diversity, inspired by styles that include traditional Spanish and Flamenco,

Brazilian, Tropicalia, Andean, jazz, and contemporary. He complements these with an underlying hint of classical seasoning, which he believes lies at

the heart of any truly good composition.

 The majority of the music he plays is original, but he just might surprise

audiences with an Ecuadorian-infused cover of "Autumn Leaves." In addition to his solo performances, he has shared the stage with stellar performers that include Jose Feliciano, Julio Iglesias, and Enrique Coria.

 CDs recorded by Nájera include:

   * "Jungle" - An emotionally charged explosion of music; debut

instrumental release (1994)

   * "Devotion" - An award-winning blend of classical, Flamenco, Latin, and

smooth jazz; recorded with Swiss guitarist Tony Unger (1998)

   * "Malagueña" - The purity and simplicity of two guitars; the second

release with Unger (2001)

   * "On Top of the Rain" - An edgy blend of Nuovo Flamenco and

contemporary jazz; second solo release (2002)

   * "Mia" - Studio and live recordings with numerous guests and vocals.

(2009)