To describe
the music of Julio Santillan, you would have to learn different languages:
the language of classical music that had a strong impact in the development
of the composer; the language of tango and folkloric music of his native Argentina and the language of jazz,
that is evident in the new generations of composers-improvisers. But I would dare
to say, that not even understanding these worlds you would be able
to describe the magic hidden behind this unique musician. Those three styles,
so different from each other, find in Julio Santillan a point
of connection, a door to unlimited musical possibilities. In a few words, the guitarist and composer has created a new and unique sound that doesn't follow any rule but at the same time is accessible to everybody.
The Boston Herald described Julio's music as "A Striking combination of jazz sensibility applied to argentinean folk rhythms."; and Time Out New York magazine wrote "Santillan meld styles from down south into a fresh distinctly jazz sound."
The repertoire is original music based on south american rhythms like chacarera, zamba, tango, vidala, milonga, huayno and candombe. Mr. Santillan received the prestigious “Meet the Composer/Van Lier Fellowship Award” in 2004, the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, and the Kunstgegen Foundation 2007 Music for Modern Dance Performance Competition Award. He has recorded four CDs with his own compositions: Desde el Norte (2001), Anit Negra (2003), Ñann (2005) and El Bosque de la Memoria (2008).
He has performed in Argentina, Colombia, Finland, Greece, Canada, Spain and in more than fifty cities in the U.S. including New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, Dallas and Washington D.C.
Julio Santillán is envolved in different projects that perform his compositions:
- Solo
- Julio Santillan Trio
- Julio Santillan Septet
- Un Instante (tribute to Jorge L. Borges)
MEDIA QUOTES / CITAS DE LOS MEDIOS "Santillán
and company have found a way to weave together startling tapestries
of color that splash both surprise and warm feelings everywhere
as they move a cultural fusion into the future." "Passion
in music is always good; passion shaped by elegant concepts is even
better. Argentinean native Julio Santillán leading this trio's
compelling blend of classic guitar, argentinean folk and jazz, is
even better." “...Each
(piece) has a color of its own and the grain becomes all the more
vibrant through the array of instruments that come into play, fleshing
out the compositions and making them throb with vitality” "A
Striking combination of jazz sensibility applied to argentinean
folk rhythms." "...a
passionate and encouraging blend of northern folk music, the vertigo
of jazz and the solid compositional techniques of a classicl ensemble." "Julio
A. Santillán has confirmed once again, the mastery, the cleverness,
not to mention all the unrefined soul thal inhabits his spirited
compositions " "Santillán
has an open style of playing. His notes are eloquent and speak intimately
to the listener." "(Nãnn
review) With its stripped-down arrangements and balanced pacing,
this can be the soundtrack to simplifying one's life." "Santillan meld styles from down south into a fresh distinctly jazz
sound." |
Para
describir la música de Julio Santillan con claridad tendríamos
que adentrarnos en varios mundos: el de la música clásica
que tiene en su formación musical el compositor, el del tango y el folklore que
lleva en su sangre y por último el
mundo del jazz, tan influyente en las generaciones de compositores-improvisadores
actuales. Y me atrevería a decir, que, incluso quien domina
el lenguage de los tres géneros, no lograría decifrar
la magia que se esconde detras de este artista excepacional. Los tres estilos,
aparentemente tan distantes, encuentran en Julio Santillan un punto
de conexión o mejor, de partida hacia extensas posibilidades
musicales en las cuales el folklore deja de pertenercerle a un grupo
pequeño de ciudades del norte de la Argentina, el jazz deja
de ser exclusividad de los norteamericanos y lo clásico retoma
vigencia. En pocas palabras, lo que el guitarrista y compositor
Tucumano ha logrado es crear un sonido nuevo y único que
no respeta normas pero que a su vez, es accesible a todos los oídos.
El Boston Herlad denominó a su música
como una "Impactante combinación de jazz y rítmos
folkloricos argentinos" y la prestigiosa revista Time Out
New york, escribió que "Santillan mezcla estilos
del sur con un sonido jazzístico fresco y original". Julio Santillán ha sido reconocido por la
crítica y audiencias de todos los orígenes como un
fenómeno único y original que resalta lo mejor de
la música tradicional argentina combinándola con elementos
del jazz y arreglada al mejor estilo de una agrupacion clásica.
Julio Santillán interpreta música propia basada en ritmos sudamericanos como: Chacarera, Zamba, Vidala, Tango, Huayno, Milonga y Candombe. Santillán recibió el prestigioso premio "Meet the Composer/Van Lier Fellowship, el Louis Armstrong Jazz Award y el Kunstgegen Foundation 2007 Music for Modern Dance Performance Competition Award. Ha grabado cuatro CDs con sus composiciones: Desde el Norte (2001), Anit Negra (2003), Ñann (2005) y El Bosque de la Memoria (2008).
Ha dado conciertos en Argentina, Colombia, Finlandia, Grecia, Canadá, España y en mas de cincuenta ciudades de EEUU como Nueva York, Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, Dallas y Washington D.C.
Julio Santillán participa en varias agrupaciones que interpretan su música:
- Solista
- Julio Santillan Trío
- Julio Santillan Septeto
- Un Instante (Homenaje a Jorge L. Borges)
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