Tony Ybarra

Born in Santa Barbara, California, Tony has been playing music his whole life. His father introduced him to the guitar and to Latin and Jazz music. Soon his musical palette broadened to encompass classical and flamenco. His understanding of these diverse styles has let him craft out his own sound that is melodic, romantic, rhythmic, and sophisticated.

Tony formed “Sonido Moreno” in 2004 with the sole purpose of performing Latin Jazz and Flamenco that is united with a jazz element. The result is what Tony termed, “Flamenco Latino”.

His music has been described as "Paco de Lucia meets Sergio Mendez with the freedom of Chick Corea and Pat Metheny". This sound is lead by Tony’s versatile and passionate guitar work and complemented by world percussion, bass, flute, and flamenco dance. The sound of “Flamenco Latino” is modern in Tony's original compositions but he stays true to the roots of Flamenco, Brazilian jazz, and Latin Jazz. Tony is one of the rare guitarists who has been able to meet the demands of these art forms and create something that is new, fresh and genuine.

Tony is an active and sought out guitarist and recording artist in many styles. He has recorded 5 albums under his own name and recorded music for the Compass label which has been featured across the United States. His 5th album entitled “Flamenco Latino” contains 12 original Flamenco Latino pieces featuring Flamenco, Samba, Bossa Nova, and Latin Jazz styles. His music has been featured on documentaries, film, commercials, and television such as Turner Classic Movies, Showtime's "Dexter" series, and the in the film "Species".

He has performed in the prestigious North Sea jazz festival in the Netherlands, the Montreux Jazz festival in Switzerland and in 2005, Tony and Sonido Moreno, traveled to Hong Kong to perform at a charity event and tour to support his first album entitled "Sonido Moreno". Tony has performed with Grammy award winning composer Maria Schneider at Santa Barbara City College, shared the stage with trumpet legend Doc Severson and in 2001 he performed with flamenco guitar virtuoso Adam Del Monte and his quintet at the historic Wilshire Ebell Theater in what the L. A. Times hailed as a “great show”. In 2005 and 2007, he was asked to perform for the private premier parties of “The Pirates of the Caribbean – Dead Man’s Chest” and “The Pirates of the Caribbean – At World’s End” where he entertained the entire cast and crew including Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, and Geoffery Rush. In 2008, Tony was asked to perform for, then Presidential candidate, Barack Obama at Oprah Winfrey’s estate in Santa Barbara.

Tony is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s studio guitar department where he holds a master’s degree in guitar.

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