Peruvian-born guitarist Carlos Odriahas been described as a breathtakingly talented musician...with an immense technical skill (Worcester Telegram) and as a guitar wizard (Gamble Rogers Fest). His original compositions and arrangements of jazz standards and Latin American tunes deliver an exciting blend of international styles such as bossanova, Afro-Peruvian festejo, rumba flamenca, and Afro-Caribbean vibes with an improvisational approach inspired by the rich tradition of American jazz. He holds a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from the Florida State University, where he also obtained a Certificate in World Music. He studied classical and Latin American folk guitar with acclaimed Peruvian guitarist Pepe Torres. Later on, he pursued advanced jazz studies with Richie Zellon, jazz guitar arranging with Leo Welch, and Venezuelan cuatro at the Jose Luis Paz Conservatory in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

In 2014, the debut album of Omnimusica, an ensemble in which Odria was the lead guitarist, was included on the official ballot for the 57th Grammy Awards, in the World Music category.

Dr. Odria has performed at numerous concert halls, universities, and festivals and has shared the stage with renowned jazz, classical, and world music artists such as Jeff Denson, Longineu Parsons, Leon Anderson, Jacksonville Children's Chorus, Mlimani Park Orchestra, Mia Gormandy, Haigiong Deng, Silviu Ciulei, Jorge Continentino, Jeff Brooks, and Etienne Charles. He has taught at Darton State College, Clark University, Worcester State University, and currently is an Associate Lecturer at the Performing Arts Department at UMASS Boston.

Past Performances:

Universities and Colleges

• Worcester State University
• Darton State College
• Albany State University
• Florida State University
• University of North Florida
• Florida Institute of Technology
• Tallahassee Community College
• University of North Georgia
• Valdosta State University
• College of Central Florida
• University of Massachusetts Boston
• University of Florida
• Florida A&M University
• Bainbridge State College
• Middlebury College
• Thomas University
• Clark University
• Muskingum University

Festivals and Concert Series

• Worcester Chamber Music Society, Music on Main Concert
• Gamble Rogers Music Festival
• Wood and Wire Acoustic Music Festival
• Bear Creek Music Festival
• Elm Park Summer Concert Series
• Florida Folk Festival (Featured Artist)
• Southern Music Rising Festival
• Friday Musicale Chamber Music Series
• Bok Tower Gardens Concert Series
• Rainbow Concert of World Music
• Providence Jazz Revelations Concert Series (sponsored by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts)
• Albany Museum of Art, Symphony at the Museum Chamber Music Series
• St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival
• Florida Frenchtown Heritage Festival
• Newton Square Summer Concert Series
• Wakulla Wildlife Festival
• Bear Creek Music Festival
• South Florida Folk Festival
• stART on the Street Central Massachusetts Fest

Venues

• Chelmsford Center for the Arts (MA)
• Ponte Vedra Concert Hall (FL)
• White Springs Folk Club (FL)
• Jacoby Symphony Hall (FL)
• Donald L. Tucker Civic Center (FL)
• St. Augustine Amphitheater (FL)
• Florida’s Governor Mansion (FL)
• Staples' Headquarters (MA)
• Centro Cultural El Ekeko (Peru)
• Monticello Opera House (FL)
• Albany Municipal Auditorium (GA)
• Society for Ethnomusicology Annual Meeting (IN)
• B Sharps Jazz Club (FL)