Tribute to the Music and Legacy of Ramon Stagnaro
Ramon Stagnaro
Courtesy of Latin Music Studies
Ramon Stagnaro was a guitarist and soloist extraordinaire, who will forever remain in the memories of those who were touched by his music and great artistry. A native of Lima, Peru, Ramon began playing the guitar at an early age, studying music on his own and listening to Tony Mottola, Los Indios Tabajaras, Charlie Christian, Carlos Santana, Jim Hall, Pat Martino, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, and other great guitarists. He later broke into the local recording scene, participating in sessions for artists, television commercials, and more. He also played in some of the city’s best orchestras, including those led by Carlo Berscia, Pepe Pellón, Santiago Silva, and Rulli Rendo. In the mid ’70s, Ramon formed his first jazz band, Lima Contemporánea, with his brother Oscar Stagnaro, a Berklee faculty member, on bass; Miguel “Chino” Figueroa on keyboards; and “Pocho” Purizaga on drums. He moved to the U.S. in 1981, and after spending a year in Boston, he relocated to Los Angeles.
The work of this musical, multilingual guitarist has spread across the globe, from the recordings of Grammy-winning artists and legendary producers to Hollywood film soundtracks, live television broadcasts, commercials, and more. His guitar playing can be heard on more than a thousand recordings, with artists such as David Foster, Humberto Gatica, KC Porter, Mark Portman, Jorge Calandrelli, Juan Carlos Calderon, Trevor Horn, Randy Jackson, Walter Afanasieff, and others. He also recorded for Gino Vannelli, Seal, Celine Dion, Al Jarreau, Andrea Bocelli, Roberto Carlos, Diana Ross, Ricky Martin, Neil Diamond, Paul Anka, Enrique Iglesias, Placido Domingo, Vikki Carr, Josh Groban, Alejandro Sanz, Kenny G, Patti LaBelle, Shakira, Nelly Furtado, Christina Aguilera, Boyz II Men, the Manhattan Transfer, Michael Bublé, Johnny Mathis, and Yanni, to name only a few. In addition, he recorded music for films and TV shows, such as The Legend of Zorro, Contact, and Sex and the City, and was a teacher at the Musicians Institute in the ’90s.