Guitarist · Composer · Producer

Live to play,
play to create,
create to live

Catalan guitarist and composer born in Badalona, based between Barcelona and Mexico. Exploring the borders between gypsy jazz, contemporary music, and free improvisation.

Pere Soto

Listen by Genre & Ensemble

Performed by Pere Soto & Ken Basman | Album: Jazz Standards in San Miguel

An authentic voice bridging tradition and avant-garde

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.

Key Highlights

  • Internationally recognized left-handed guitarist featured in the reference anthology Uncommon Sound.
  • Extensive discography, featuring recent releases such as Tribute to Charlie Parker · BIRD (Fresh Sound Records).
  • Over 1,000 registered works at SGAE across jazz and contemporary classical composition.
  • Pedagogy and published works, author of instructional series including the Monster Chord Book.

Selected Collaborations

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.

Relevant Trajectory & Milestones

1989

First LP "Coincidencias" nominated for best album of the year by Nacional-Radio 4 (Spain), heavily broadcasted across Catalonia.

1992

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).

1994

Records second CD *“Particular Vernacular”* in New York City featuring Jeff Ballard, Ben Allison, Dave Douglas, and Dave Liebman.

2000

Travels to Mexico for the world premiere of his *“String Quartet No. 2”* by the Mexico City Quartet.

2006

Featured in John Engels' reference book *“Uncommon Sound”* alongside Jimi Hendrix and Paul McCartney as one of history's most notable left-handed guitarists.

2008

Performs at major U.S. Gypsy Jazz festivals: San Francisco DjangoFest and Los Angeles DjangoFest.

2009

World premiere of his composition *“Triunphant”* at the Palacio de Congresos in Jaca during the international mathematical conference LIBGOBER.

2011

Soloist with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Puebla, conducting original arrangements alongside the Oaxaca Big Band.

2012

Records the show *“Fusió i swing a l'estudi”* for Catalan Television (TV3) with the Pere Soto Gypsy Project.

2013

Major concert performance at the premier European jazz venue **BIMHUIS** in Amsterdam.

2015–2016

Performs at the Jamboree Jazz Club Festival in Barcelona and the Lunario (Auditorio Nacional) in Mexico City.

2017

Composes 5 songs for the original soundtrack of the Honduras-USA feature film *“Un Lugar en el Caribe”*.

2018

Teaches master classes at Kansas University (USA) and the Tijuana Jazz School (Mexico).

2020

Accepted as **Artist for Peace** by Joel Thome (New York Artists for Peace).

2023–2024

Featured interview in leading global publication *JazzGuitarToday*; executes a major Catalonia tour across iconic venues like Jamboree and Jazz Cava de Terrassa.

Discography as Leader

Discography as Collaborator

Projects & Line-ups

Pere Soto Gypsy Jazz Quartet

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.

Watch video 1 | Fusion and swing in the studio (TV3)

Pere Soto Solo Guitar

Intimate solo guitar recital where jazz language is fused with free improvisation and a profound mastery of solo guitar repertoire.

Pere Soto & Margarita Pesoa Sambajazz

Fusion project exploring the rich harmonies and warm rhythm of jazz combined with the roots and textures of Brazilian music and sambajazz.

Watch "Água de beber"

Pere Soto Jazz Trio

The classic jazz formation (guitar, bass, and drums) performing both reinvented standards and original compositions of high harmonic voltage.

Watch "All The Things You Are" live

Pere Soto Tribute to Charlie Parker

Direct homage to the bebop legacy, presenting the repertoire inspired by the "Bird" tribute album published under the Fresh Sound Records label.

Watch "Tribute to Charlie Parker"

Pere Soto Free Jazz Ensemble

An avant-garde and sound exploration proposal without formal limits, delving into the territories of free improvisation and contemporary music.

Watch performance

Remisotopos Project

Creative concept that transits through electroacoustic experimentation and genre fusion with a totally personal and transgressive look.

Contact & Booking

For booking inquiries, masterclasses, studio collaborations, or score purchases, feel free to send a direct message using the form or reach out through email.

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Locations Barcelona & Oaxaca