Biography:
Guitarist, composer, arranger, conductor, producer and educator José Pino | photo © 2024 Martina Knecht
José Pino embarked on his musical journey at a young age as a singer and guitarist in Ecuador’s capital Quito. He learned guitar with Camilo Santacruz and Carlos “El Chino” Cando, and went on expanding his musical horizons by mastering wind and percussion instruments. He explored the jazz guitar at the Berkeley branch of the San Francisco University in Quito before specialising in Brazilian jazz guitar with tutelage from luminaries like Romero Lubambo and Lula Galvâo.
After pursuing his Certificate of Advanced Studies in Computer Music at the Zurich University of the Arts, in 2020 he earned a Master of Arts ZFH degree in Composition and Theory, with a Specialization in Electroacoustical Composition. This academic pursuit laid the groundwork for his exploration of sound synthesis and digital composition, igniting a passion for experimentation and innovation in music production. He furthered his studies in arrangement under the mentorship of Fernando Corrêa from the Brazil Jazz Symphony in São Paulo.
Focusing on compositions that range from solo pieces to orchestral arrangements, José Pino’s music is deeply rooted in the rich traditions of African-American and Latin American music, while it pushes the boundaries of electronic and electroacoustic music. The influence of his diverse experiences, including his time spent living in vibrant cultural hubs like Hong Kong and Shanghai, left an indelible mark on his artistic vision. In recent years, his work garnered international acclaim, being featured at prestigious venues around the globe, from Havana to Shanghai.
José Pino is a recognized music educator and director. After a successful collaboration with the Conservatorio Mozarte in Quito, he later joined the Musikschule Zürcher Oberland and the Musikschule St. Gallen in Switzerland, where he currently works. José Pino is also an expert for talent-based selection at Swiss music colleges, and co-director of the ensemble Saitenharmoniker.
As the co-founder of La casa de nadie, a Zurich-based cultural initiative promoting transdisciplinary art, José Pino is deeply committed to cultural promotion and musical journalism. In 2024, he launched the Zurich Jam Session concert series, enriching the local music scene and fostering a vibrant community of musicians and listeners.