First of all, I like music. I like playing it and I like listening to it. I like music and I want to share with others something I know can enhance their lives. In a world, especially for young people, that is dominated by examination stress, a world that seems to encourage endless judgmental thinking that causes so many to feel that they are under achieving, we, as music teachers really can do just a little something about it. We can help our students really achieve, we can help them build that so important self-esteem (not ego) that will give them confidence and strength.
A Cuban guitarist graduated with honors from the Superior Institute of Arts of Havana, Cuba, where he obtained his Master’s degree Magna Cum Laude in both Classical Guitar and Musicology.
Mr. Fernandez participated as a composer and performer in all the Contemporary Music Festivals of Havana from 2000 to 2004, as well as the International Guitar Festival (Miami, 2008). In 2004, he composed the musical arrangements for the inaugural show of the International Book Fair in Cuba. In 2001, he obtained the First Work Award and the Chamber Music Award on the ‘Cubadisco’ Festival for the CD “Orquesta de Guitarras de Holguin”. Jose Alfredo was invited to participate as a performer in several Guitar Master Classes with many well-known guitarists like Manuel Barrueco (Miami, 2009), Rafael Padron (Miami, 2008), Victor Pellegrini (Havana, 2002), Joaquin Clerch (Havana, 2002), Leo Brouwer (Havana, 2000), and Robert Ausell (Havana, 2000.)
Mr. Fernandez has played a variety of genres, including classical, chamber music, jazz, Latin music, country music, and other popular ones. He has performed with renowned musicians in Miami such as Cristi Arias, Yolanda Cobello, Gema Corredera, Renoir Rodriguez, Hernan Matute, Aristides Estevez, Juan Tomas Martinez, Saul Vera, Andres Trujillo, Federico Bonnacosa, Walter Whipple, and Marilyn Morales.
His successful guitar career has taken him to international stages in Mexico (twice,) Spain, Portugal, and Italy. He was the Concertmaster (Concertino), musical director, and arranger of the Orchestra of Guitars of Holguin, Cuba, for 9 years. He taught guitar, music history, counterpoint, and harmony at the Conservatory of Music of Holguin, Cuba. He composed the soundtrack for the documentary “De Puesta en Escena” (Cuba, 2005) and participated in the musical production of a Christian music CD entitled, “Caricias de Dios” as a performer and arranger (McAllen, Texas, 2010).
At present, Jose Alfredo Fernandez teaches guitar, guitar bass, music theory, and harmony at the Miami Conservatory of Music and is the director of the Worship Ministry of the Hispanic Church of God (Miami, Florida).
Guitar Faculty Trio
CHARLES AXEL EKENDHAL, JOSE ALFREDO FERNANDEZ, and FEDERICO MUSGROVE STETSON
Prelude from the Cello, Suite No 1 in G Major
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Transcribed by Joe Fredd
Tico-Tico no Fubá / Zequinha de Abreu (1880-1935)
