Born in Venezuela from Italian ancestry and having lived in the United States since 1989, Yamaha Performing Artist Jesús Florido has established himself as a very versatile musician. His classical training has given him the perseverance and work ethic that are necessary to succeed in the music world. His teachers have included Eligiuz Stoiñsky, Larry Shapiro, and Davis Brooks. He also received consistent instruction from Joseph Gingold, Margareth Pardee, and Dorothy DeLay. In addition to classical violin performance, he also has studied Afro-Cuban, jazz, rock, and fiddle music. Combined with his Latin American roots, this has produced a unique and eclectic vision of music interpretation.
In light of his diverse background, it is not surprising that Florido's list of musical influences is unusually varied, incorporating composers and performers such as Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Grapelli, Hendrix, Ponty, Shankar, and Santana. These influences have fueled a passion for musical experimentation, and have motivated Florido to utilize both acoustic and electric violins in his recordings and performances.
American fiddler Mark O'Connor recognized Florido when he invited him to teach Latin-style fiddling and improvisation at his camps in Nashville and San Diego. Florido has also appeared on CBS Sunday Morning with Mr. O’Connor.
As a classical player, he developed a chamber music career with very successful results as a recitalist. His concerts of the complete Mozart Sonatas in 2000 are a performance highlight.
Sharing his music through teaching is an essential part of Florido's daily life. As a founding member of the National System of Youth and Children Orchestras in his native Venezuela, known as "El Sistema," he started teaching at a very young age. A highly sought after teacher, Florido has conducted workshops and residencies in Venezuela, Brazil, Spain, Canada, Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and in the U.S. "Music has to be part of every child's development throughout the world," he states.
Florido's playing can be heard on many commercial recordings. Some of his latest recordings include work with such artists as Nima Collective, Healer, Dan Hicks and the Hotlicks, Gary Hoey, Voyeur, Delarge, Hattler, and Nicholas Gunn. He has shared the stage with a wide variety of artists from Zubin Metha, Pinchas Zukermann, and Itzhak Perlman to Whitney Houston, Moody Blues, Robert Plant, and Jimmy Page, among many others. With his debut solo recording, Heading North, Florido introduced a compelling artistry balanced on a fine axis of musical virtuosity and pure heart. "This album came about from what is not out there, from an instrumental point of view," he explains. "Jazz, rock, classical, Latin - this album is a true melting pot." With his violin as a compass, Florido heads toward a limitless musical horizon.
