Carlos Vazquez

Classical guitarist and pedagogue Carlos Vazquez Matos was born in La Habana, Cuba in 1967. A graduate of the Universidad de las Artes in Cuba, Mr. Vazquez was awarded twice first prize winner in the “National Guitar Festival of Havana”, Cuba 1984, 1986, as well as the first prize winner in the “Provincial Guitar Competition of Havana, Cuba 1982.  With his Duo Bona Fide has won silver medal in The Global Music Awards 2024 in Rosenberg, Texas, United States, platinum medal in The Global International Music Competition 2024 organized by Concours de Musique et des Beaux Arts, Canada and second prize in Charleston International Music Competition 2024 in South Carolina, United States.

Mr. Vazquez obtained his Bachelor 's Degree of Music in classical guitar, awarded by “Universidad de las Artes”, Havana 1992. Also, he has done a Postgraduate course of “Ancient Music”, issued by Maestro Rey Guerra, La Habana, Cuba 1989. Formes professors of Mr. Vázquez include Clara Nicola, Martha Campo, Aldo Rodriguez, Rey Guerra and Miguel Bonachea. He additionally participated in the masterclasses of Leo Brouwer, David Russell, Costas Cotsiolis, Wolfgang Lendle, Robert Aussel, Antonio Rodríguez, Joaquin Clerch, Ichiro Suzuki, Paolo Paolini, Victor Pellegrini.

 Mr. Vazquez performs and tours with the classical guitar Duo Bona Fide alongside his wife Lazara Diaz. Duo Bona Fide has performed in live performances and national radio throughout Cuba, and throughout the United States, including live concerts transmitted via local radio stations in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Duo Bona Fide’s first album Doce Cuerdas, was produced by the eight-time Latin Grammy nominated and Grammy award winner, composer, and producer Yalil Guerra. Mr. Vazquez also participated in the Leo Brouwer Complete Guitar works EGREM recording: Vol VII, Ensemble of Guitar Paisaje Cubano con Rumba under the direction of Jose A Perez Puentes.

Since 2013, Mr. Vazquez as a soloist and his Duo Bon Fide has been featured in the community concerts series offered by Mayor Brian Starck & The Board of Commissioners of Union City, New Jersey and have performed regularly at the William V. Musto Cultural Center in Union City, New Jersey. Mr. Vazquez has been invited several times with his duo by the renowned guitarist and composer Dr. Celil Refik Kaya to perform at events during Hispanic Heritage Month in 2022 at New Jersey City University and the Public Library of Jersey City Earl Morgan Branch in 2023 in New Jersey.

From 1991-2013, Mr. Vazquez was the head of the guitar department at the “Conservatory of Music Alejandro Garcia Caturla”, Habana, Cuba. He was the music professor at the Russia Embassy of Cuba 1997–2013. Also has taught master classes and seminars at the “Music Conservatory of Luanda", Angola 2010. He was Professor of Guitar, Piano, Theory and Solfege in the “Art International courses” of (C.N.E.A.R.T.) as well as an advisor professor at this Institution. He was Member of the " National Guitar Commission of Cuba 1991–2013 and member of the jury in the '' Provincial Guitar Competitions of Havana” Cuba,1991–2012. Mr. Vazquez is also director of guitar orchestra and arranger. He was the conductor of the “Habana Guitar Ensemble” and the “Cuban Youth Guitar Orchestra” 2002-2013. Led the " Youth Guitar Orchestra" in the International Festival “Leo Brouwer” 2002 - 2004.

Mr. Vazquez has performed in 2024 in many venues with his Duo Bona Fide, this includes performances at the CGS (Classical Guitar Society) of New York, performed for the Andrew York Festival in New JerseyCity University, New Jersey, at BCGS( Brooklyn Classical Guitar Society) New York, he performed in the New York Guitar Seminar at the Hunter College of Music. Also, at The Cuban Cultural Center of New York in a sold-out concert. With Bona Fide duo he has concluded a series of concerts for the community of Union City, New Jersey in 2024. The duo performed in a private event in the context of The Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, LACO, 2024

In 2022 Mr. Vazquez created with Duo Bona Fide his own music studio in Newark, New Jersey, US. Presently the duo is preparing their second album as the Dúo Bona Fide.