A proud son of Mexico City, Jorge Lopez has spent his life studying and mastering the guitar. He inherited his love of the classical guitar from his father Gustavo Lopez, who was a student and assistant of the greatest guitarist of all times, Andres Segovia. Gustavo was among the first to record classical guitar in Mexico. One of his recordings, "Voice of Mexico", which he recorded under the name Gustavo Zepoll, is now the only guitar recording in the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
Jorge gave his first public performance at the tender age of 11. At 16 he studied with flamenco guitar player Fernando Martinez Peralta in Guadalajara, Mexico. He continued his training under the hands of his father for some time and consequently formed a duo with him. Sadly his father became very ill and passed away. His passing marked the end of the duo, but only the beginning of his artistic career which has since ascended remarkably.
At the age of 21 he moved to Tucson, Arizona to nourish his love of classical guitar and was awarded a scholarship to study at the University of Arizona under the head of the Guitar Department, Thomas Patterson. Later he studied under the world class Bossa Nova pioneer Laurindo Almeida with whom he had the honor of sharing the stage on what he calls the performance of his life. His admiration for Mr. Almeida inspired him to record his first album, Festival and a year later another album called Conquistador. Both projects included some of Jorge's own compositions.
Jorge prides himself on his clean and crisp style of articulation on the guitar. His insistence on reproducing the clear and dulcet tones of the acoustic instrument, defines his unique and inspiring manipulation of the guitar. In addition to his own recordings, he has contributed to performances and recordings by many North American artists such as Spyro Gyra and Linda Ronstadt.
He has performed intimate venues for such prestigious people as the Prince of Monaco Prince Rainier III, former Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chretien, and former President of Mexico Carlos Salinas de Gortari. Jorge was also awarded the title of a "Valuable Son of of Multiculturalism" when he played in a Tribute to his Excellency Pierre Elliot Trudeau in 2001.
Since making Toronto his permanent home Jorge has explored all aspects of his wide ranged talent and has founded several musical groups varying in styles and tastes but always remaining true to his predominant guitar voicing and stylish phrasing. His groups have gained much recognition in the Canadian music scene, one of which was awarded Toronto Life's "Best in the City" in 1999. He has appeared with his groups on CBC radio, City TV's Breakfast Television, and The Toronto Show on the Global Television Network.