Juan Serrano (flamenco)

Dr. Juan Serrano was born in Cordoba, Spain in 1935. He is a world-famous flamenco guitarist who has played concerts and made recordings throughout the world. He has also devoted much of his life to teaching flamenco guitar, and is the author of numerous instructional books and videos.

At the age of 9, Serrano studied guitar with his father, a professional guitarist. He made his professional debut at age 13 and as a teenager earned a reputation all over Spain and Europe as a gifted musician. He performed and recorded with the top flamenco musical, dance, and theatrical companies. At this time Serrano also started his solo career. His home town of Cordoba was so proud of his accomplishments that they replaced the bell in the town clock with recordings of his guitar playing.

In 1961 Serrano accepted an invitation to come to America and perform on the Ed Sullivan Show. The success of this performance led to numerous other TV appearances and a recording contract with Elektra Records, who released his US debut album "Ole, la mano!" in 1962. He lived in New York City for some years, teaching and performing.

He developed the guitar program at California State University and heads the guitar department. In addition to his teaching duties, Serrano is much sought after as a performer, for master classes and as a guest lecturer on the history of flamenco. Serrano is the only flamenco guitarist in the world with a doctorate in humane letters and a tenured faculty position at a major university.

Cordoba also awarded Serrano the "Porto de Oro". This prestigious honor is awarded once every ten years and Serrano is the only guitarist ever to be so honored. Serrano received the Page One Ball from the Newspaper Guild of New York for his outstanding performances. He was also awarded the Medalla de Oro from the Spanish Academy of Fine Arts, the Catedra de Flamencologia from Jerez, Spain, and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut. The city of Fresno bestowed Serrano with the "Fabulous Fresnan" and "Horizon" awards.

Authored several guitar instruction books for Mel Bay Publications, including:

• Flamenco Guitar: Basic Techniques (1994)
• Juan Serrano, Flamenco Concert Selections (1994)
• Guitar Solos (1994)
• Sabor Flamenco (1995)
• Systematic Studies for Flamenco Guitar: A Falsetas Anthology and videos Flamenco Guitar (1995)
• The King of the Flamenco Guitar (1997)
• Flamenco Tradition, Part 1 (1997)

Awarded the Medalla de Oro from the Spanish Academy of Fine Arts, the Catedra de Flamencologia from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

Recorded compact discs:

• Masters of Flamenco, Volumes 1-5 (1994)
• The Art of the Flamenco Guitar
• Flamenco Festival (1994)
• Grandes Guitarras (1995)
• Flamenco Guitar (1995)
• Sabor Flamenco