Iván Nájera
Born into a large, musical family in Quito, Ecuador, Iván
Nájera began performing at the age of nine. A year later, he
was awarded the second grand prize in Quito’s National Star
Search Competition, a distinction that strengthened his
dream of a career in music.
Nájera studied guitar and piano at the National Conservatory
in Quito. Throughout his teens, he made numerous radio and
television appearances and triumphed at several musical
competitions. In 1971, he joined a weekly musical television
show, “Gente Joven” (“Young People”), which aired in
Ecuador. After more than two years with the show, he went on
to join a Colombian Latin jazz/salsa group as lead singer
and guitarist, performing at hotel-casinos throughout South
America.
In 1975, Nájera moved to California to further his career.
Thanks to a combination of talent, tenacity, and providence,
opportunities in the music industry were abundant. He began
performing and recording his compositions, and
simultaneously earned a degree in digital electronics.
Nájera’s music has been described as exhilarating and
contagious. Exiting and explosive, emotional and sensual.
His influences are rich in cultural diversity, inspired by
Spanish and Flamenco, Brazilian, Tropicalia, Andean, jazz,
and contemporary styles—enriched with an underlying hint of
classical seasoning. In addition to his solo performances,
he has shared the stage with greats that include Jose
Feliciano, Julio Iglesias, Enrique Coria and Mark Maxwell
His CDs include:
“Jungle”—An emotionally charged musical explosion
“Devotion”—A combination of classical, Flamenco, and jazz
recorded with Tony Unger
“Malagueńa”—The purity of the Nájera and Unger guitars
“On Top of the Rain”—An edgy blend of Nuovo Flamenco and
contemporary jazz
Recently, Nájera began complementing his guitar playing with
a soft, evocative baritone that enhances the dimension of
his music. The summer of 2007 will mark the release of his
first CD featuring vocals
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