Guitarist · Composer · Producer
Catalan guitarist and composer born in Badalona, based between Barcelona and Mexico. Exploring the borders between gypsy jazz, contemporary music, and free improvisation.
Biography & Vision
Born in Badalona (Catalonia, Spain), Pere Soto is a self-taught guitarist, composer, arranger, and music producer whose career bridges Barcelona and Oaxaca. He is widely recognized on the international scene for his remarkable aesthetic flexibility.
His musical universe covers styles as diverse as gypsy jazz, free jazz, avant-garde, jazz fusion, and bebop. In the realm of classical music, his focus spans contemporary and electroacoustic works, with a strong emphasis on 20th-century styles.
As a prolific composer, his catalogue exceeds 1,000 registered compositions at SGAE (Sociedad General de Autores de España), spanning both jazz and classical domains. Alongside his performance career, he is active as a music producer running his own recording studio, and works as a consultant-engraver for music publishing companies and educational institutions.
Throughout his career, he has performed and recorded alongside world-class artists including John Engels, Han Bennink, Dave Douglas, Lou Donaldson, Jordi Rossy, Perico Sambeat, Jeff Ballard, Ben Allison, Dave Liebman, Lonnie Smith, Jimmy Rosenberg, Big John Patton, and many others.
First LP "Coincidencias" nominated for best album of the year by Nacional-Radio 4 (Spain), heavily broadcasted across Catalonia.
Records *“Metanoic”* with the Bill Gerhardt Quartet in Hilversum, selected as best record of the month and top 12 of the year by the Jazz South Art Federation (USA).
Records second CD *“Particular Vernacular”* in New York City featuring Jeff Ballard, Ben Allison, Dave Douglas, and Dave Liebman.
Travels to Mexico for the world premiere of his *“String Quartet No. 2”* by the Mexico City Quartet.
Featured in John Engels' reference book *“Uncommon Sound”* alongside Jimi Hendrix and Paul McCartney as one of history's most notable left-handed guitarists.
Performs at major U.S. Gypsy Jazz festivals: San Francisco DjangoFest and Los Angeles DjangoFest.
World premiere of his composition *“Triunphant”* at the Palacio de Congresos in Jaca during the international mathematical conference LIBGOBER.
Soloist with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Puebla, conducting original arrangements alongside the Oaxaca Big Band.
Records the show *“Fusió i swing a l'estudi”* for Catalan Television (TV3) with the Pere Soto Gypsy Project.
Major concert performance at the premier European jazz venue **BIMHUIS** in Amsterdam.
Performs at the Jamboree Jazz Club Festival in Barcelona and the Lunario (Auditorio Nacional) in Mexico City.
Composes 5 songs for the original soundtrack of the Honduras-USA feature film *“Un Lugar en el Caribe”*.
Teaches master classes at Kansas University (USA) and the Tijuana Jazz School (Mexico).
Accepted as **Artist for Peace** by Joel Thome (New York Artists for Peace).
Featured interview in leading global publication *JazzGuitarToday*; executes a major Catalonia tour across iconic venues like Jamboree and Jazz Cava de Terrassa.
Catalog as Leader
A cozy collection of timeless jazz standards performed solo on guitar with warmth and elegance. Twenty years ago, Kevin asked me, “Would you like me to record you for a while at home?” I recently found the recording and decided it was finally time to share it.
Intimate interplay and conversational structures captured live in the studio. Two musicians who have shared more than 30 years of jazz adventures, simply playing together without aesthetic restrictions, allowing the music to flow freely, spontaneously, and in its own original direction.
Recorded during the pandemic, 700 km apart, each of us in our own studio, exchanging files and recording each improvisation in a single take. We kept going until, with the final improvisation, we both felt the project was complete — a collection of distant, off-the-grid improvisations.
Produced in Oregon, this album took an unexpected musical direction after the loss of three people closely connected to the project. What was originally conceived differently gradually became something more intimate and reflective, shaped by circumstances none of us could have foreseen.
Collaborations & Guest Features
Repertoire & Formations
Ensemble dedicated to the aesthetic of manouche jazz and European swing, combining the spirit of Django Reinhardt with original arrangements and compositions full of energy.
Intimate solo guitar recital where jazz language is fused with free improvisation and a profound mastery of solo guitar repertoire.
Fusion project exploring the rich harmonies and warm rhythm of jazz combined with the roots and textures of Brazilian music and sambajazz.
The classic jazz formation (guitar, bass, and drums) performing both reinvented standards and original compositions of high harmonic voltage.
Direct homage to the bebop legacy, presenting the repertoire inspired by the "Bird" tribute album published under the Fresh Sound Records label.
An avant-garde and sound exploration proposal without formal limits, delving into the territories of free improvisation and contemporary music.
Creative concept that transits through electroacoustic experimentation and genre fusion with a totally personal and transgressive look.
Books & Educational Works
A selection of instructional books, jazz series, sheet music and literary works available on Amazon. Full catalogue: about 90+ titles.
The Ultimate Guitar Chord Melody Encyclopedia — a systematic harmonic reference for guitarists.
Essential chord-melody approach for solo guitar — arrangements and harmonic thinking for the instrument.
Theory volume plus key-by-key arpeggio positions on the fretboard (14 volumes).
A collection of hundreds of original tunes and songs in lead-sheet format.
Jazz phrasing material over the essential II–V–I progression.
A study dedicated to Django Reinhardt and the gypsy jazz tradition.
Narrative of the life and adventures shared with Goofy, told from a unique perspective.
Original works for classical guitar (Hasta Siempre “Summer”, Sota, Sagastiti, and more).
A personal collection of poetry spanning a decade of emotions, fragility and hope.
Scores for flute & guitar, trumpet & guitar, trio, and other chamber combinations.
Media & Recognition
Selected profiles, reviews and interviews from specialized jazz media and reference sources.
In-depth interview: gypsy jazz, influences, technique and composition.
Full profile: trajectory, influences, festivals, instruments and discography.
Curriculum and pedagogical work (Jazz Blues laboratory / masterclass).
Profile on international career and role as a gypsy jazz reference.
Reference guide to musicians, festivals and venues of jazz in Spain (EdictOràlia, 2018).
Reference history of jazz in Mexico — Datos para esta historia (Fondo de Cultura Económica).
Get in Touch
For booking inquiries, masterclasses, studio collaborations, or score purchases, feel free to send a direct message using the form or reach out through email.
