About Cristian

Cristian Perez is an Argentine-American 7-string guitarist, composer, and arranger based in Northern Virginia. Cristian has performed throughout the world in Argentina, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Dominican Republic, South Korea, and is very active in the greater D.C. area. His debut album “Anima Mundi” has received numerous international reviews and reached #13 in the CMJ World Music charts in the USA. Cristian is a former Artist in Residence at Strathmore ('15), and won 2 Wammie Awards (‘22) for his work with Project Locrea. Cristian is a Kremona Guitars Artist and MCO Guitars Artist, and has been featured in the industry-standard publication Vintage Guitar Magazine. Cristian graduated from George Mason University with degrees in both Classical Guitar (BM, '10), and Jazz Studies (MM, '12).

Cristian has formally studied with Berta Rojas, Larry Snitzler, Rick Whitehead, Ken Hall, Mike Stern, Roland Dyens, Pepe Romero, Gilad Hekselman, Nelson Veras, Steve Herberman, and many more. Cristian’s love of classical music, jazz, pop, soul, and folk music from around the world inspire his creative process and add to his musical palette both as a bandleader and sideman. Cristian is very active performing as a freelancer and collaborates with many musicians of diverse backgrounds. He co-leads world music fusion group Project Locrea and is the founder/leader of the guitar-only ensemble The Guitar Renegades. Cristian is an adjunct professor at NOVA Community College (Alexandria, VA), and is available for masterclasses, clinics, and workshops.

Other projects

In addition to freelancing and collaborating with several other musicians and ensembles, Cristian also has the following side projects

Cristian Perez Quintet (CP5)

This is the core group featured on Cristian's debut album Anima Mundi (2016). The ensemble played original compositions and covers with a overall influence of South American music as well as other folk music from around the world. This ensemble has evolved into Yana Nikol's Project Locrea.

Cristian Perez Quartet (CP4)
In contrast to CP5, this ensemble features all original compositions by Cristian with more of a fusion/jazz aesthetic. An album featuring 12 compositions written between 2018-19 has been delayed due to the pandemic, but should hopefully be finished at some point in the near future.

Cristian Perez Chamber Ensemble (CPCE)
Cristian created this ensemble comprised of guitar-violin-cello-violin-percussion as a way to explore more polyphonic and intimate chamber textures. Cristian wrote several original compositions for this ensemble, inspired by bodies of water from around the world and drawing influence by each of those regions. The album has also been delayed due to the pandemic, but Cristian hopes to revive this project soon.

Guitar & flute duo
Cristian performs regularly with Bulgarian flutist Yana Nikol.

More about Yana here.

Munit & Cristian

Cristian performs regularly with Ethiopian-American vocalist Munit Mesfin. More about Munit here.

7-string guitar and drums

In addition to the more common duo and trio settings, Cristian enjoys playing in duo format with drummer Lucas Ashby. This settings gives way to very adventurous and spontaneous pathways, both harmonically and rhythmically.

Solo guitar

Cristian loves playing solo guitar just as much as playing with others. The possibilities of the guitar are endless. Especially if one keeps adding strings...

Guitarist - Composer - Arranger - Educator

Cristian Perez

The Guitar Renegades

Cristian is the leader/founder of the guitar ensemble The Guitar Renegades.

Find out more about The Guitar Renegades here.

Project Locrea

Cristian co-leads the world music fusion ensemble Project Locrea, founded by flutist/composer Yana Nikol. Cristian is the ensemble's guitarist and writes many of the arrangements for the group.

Find out more about Project Locrea here: www.ProjectLocrea.com