Esteban's latest tour is one of his most highly anticipated to date. This legendary flamenco guitarist will be playing throughout Brazil this season, in addition to a show at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ. Whether he is performing at cultural events or in the most classic concert halls, Esteban delivers a live show that you will never forget. Get your tickets today!
Esteban got his name from Andres Segovia, the renowned classical guitarist. Segovia gave the Pittsburgh-born Stephen Paul the name while he was teaching him in Spain in the '70s. Paul got his first guitar at the age of eight as a present from his uncle, and he claims that the instrument never left his hands.
Paul then dedicated himself to learning the guitar. He was self-taught and practiced whenever he was able. His dream was to convey his deepest inner feelings with music. More than anything, he longed to study under Andres Segovia, but it seemed like an impossible hope for a self-taught musician – Segovia only took on students who had previously studied under other classical guitar teachers, and he taught in a traditional master class setting. So, for some time, Paul relinquished that dream. He went to college, graduating in 1972 from Carnegie Mellon with majors in English literature and guitar. Paul was part of the first cohort to graduate from Carnegie Mellon's new guitar program, which was taught by a Pittsburgh Symphony cellist – hardly an expert on Paul's favorite instrument. He continued to teach himself, and amazed the examiners with his stunning technique as he played his own songs and performed in the Spanish flamenco style.
After he graduated, Paul started giving guitar lessons in studios and playing local shows. His desire to study under Segovia still burned. He couldn't get into the master classes, so he tried to meet the legend another way. While Segovia toured the world, Paul left countless messages for the artist on yellow cards that claimed his life would have no meaning unless he could study with Segovia. For years, he sent these cards to Segovia wherever he went.
After Paul relentlessly pursued Segovia during the artist's Los Angeles tour, Segovia at last allowed Paul to audition in 1974. Segovia then gave Paul a lengthy list of pieces to learn, and promised the young man that in a year's time, when he came back to the city for concerts, he would hear Paul again. After practicing for a year, Paul met with Segovia again and met the maestro's expectations. Segovia invited Paul to attend master classes in Santiago de Compostela, a major city in the north of Spain. Following the classes, Paul was then invited to Madrid for private study with Segovia in the maestro's famed Avenida Concha Espina studio. It was an unforgettable time in the life of Paul, who had now become Esteban.
Esteban studied under Segovia from 1974 to 1978. He traveled between the United States and Spain to take lessons. In 1978, Esteban earned Segovia's official endorsement. The emerging artist went back to the United States and starting giving live performances. The following year, a drunk driver hit Esteban in a car accident. For ten years, serious injury to his arm and hand left Esteban unable to play. In 1990, driven by his passion for music and dedication, Esteban started to once again play his beloved guitar. Since then, Esteban has released number one hit albums, as well as DVDs and videos.
Among Esteban's most popular albums are Heart of Gold (2000), At Home with Esteban (2000), All My Love (2001), Live! (2001), Flame, Flamenco & Romance (2001), and By Request (2001).
Heart of Gold is a soothing, intimate, and poignant set of covers that topped Billboard's New Age Albums chart. Highlight tracks include Play Me and Eleanor Rigby.
At Home with Esteban consists of two discs. Throughout the set, the musician covers several classical works (In the Hall of the Mountain King, Fur Elise, and so on), musical theater numbers (My Favorite Things), and pop standards (Nights in White Satin). However, you have never before heard these songs covered in the distinctive flamenco style of Esteban.
All My Love is similar to many of Esteban's other releases: it shows off the fretmaster's astounding skill in an array of moods, from lush and romantic to humble and poignant. If you like pop music and are curious about the exotic sounds of flamenco, All My Love (and the rest of Esteban's catalog) will be right up your alley.
Esteban's command of his cascading, lush flamenco style pays off on his concert set, Live! An affecting rendition of the timeless Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles is a strong start to the set. Throughout the remainder of the album, the artist works through other standards of pop and rock.
Esteban has repeatedly pushed his indie-label, D.I.Y. efforts into Billboard's album charts with directly marketed TV ads. For Flame, Flamenco & Romance, the artist has incorporated a video into his campaign. The album's video version offers fans the opportunity to hear and see an entire concert by this Segovia-taught guitarist who successfully married pop songs with traditional flamenco. The two-CD audio accompaniment offers the traditional album experience.
Esteban is a versatile flamenco guitarist who has taken on everything from classical to rock, so the eclecticism of By Request should surprise no one. This four-disc album finds Esteban and a backing band covering everything from Ghost Riders in the Sky by Stan Jones, Surfer Girl by the Beach Boys, Girl from Ipanema by Jobim, and a pair of '50 rockers from Ritchie Valens.
In addition to his numerous Billboard chart entries, Esteban is known for his instructional DVDs on guitar playing.
With the full endorsement of maestro Andres Segovia, Esteban brings one of the most versatile flamenco guitar performances in the world today. Esteban covers everything from bossa nova to country music, and his live show is guaranteed to amaze and delight. Grab your friends and family, and head on out to see the one and only Esteban when he arrives in a city near you!