| World Jazz |
Our dear friend, the virtuoso guitarist Juan Carmona, is celebrating his 40th career anniversary this year—a truly extraordinary milestone, marked by the release of his new album, Laberinto De Luz, on April 4.
For those who have yet to discover this remarkable flamenco guitarist, his musical universe lies at the crossroads of jazz and world music. While deeply rooted in Andalusian traditions, his compositions embrace the wider Mediterranean spirit. Esteemed by professionals for the exceptional quality of his compositions and arrangements, this new album is no exception. It also features an impressive lineup of guest artists, including Al Di Meola, Montse Cortés, the Istanbul Strings Orchestra conducted by Samim Sakaryali, as well as jazz trumpeter Nicolas Folmer, alongside Pierre Bertrand and Denis Leloup. Given the significance of this special creation, I will provide the album’s full lineup at the end of this article, along with concert dates.
Voices have always been a driving force in Juan Carmona’s music, and for those unfamiliar with the exquisite female flamenco voices of today, this album offers a wonderful introduction. In fact, I would argue that Juan Carmona’s guitar itself should be considered one of these voices. His playing converses seamlessly with both singers and instruments alike. If you read French—or can easily translate online—you will find my reviews of his previous two albums here: Zyriab 6.7 and Perla de Oriente.
An artist of generosity and musical diversity, Juan Carmona carries flamenco far beyond its traditional borders, reaffirming his role as a true ambassador of emotion—building bridges between styles, cultures, and audiences. Laberinto de Luz invites listeners to lose themselves in a labyrinth of luminous sounds, infused with emotion and creativity, where tradition and modernity blend in a subtle and universal harmony.
“Listening to Juan Carmona’s latest album, I was struck by the depth and diversity of the voices, as well as the exceptional virtuosity of his guitar playing. This beautifully produced record highlights contemporary compositions, each piece wrapped in a captivating atmosphere, always carried by Juan’s magnificent guitar.”—Al Di Meola
For a long time, I have shared this very sentiment about Juan Carmona—an indefatigable traveler through musical notes and styles. To me, he is undoubtedly the most significant voice in World Jazz today. With 40 years of an ever-enriching career, shaped by countless encounters, he has never taken the easy road. On the contrary, he has always delivered works that are both complex and accessible—creations that anyone can appreciate.
A remarkable melodist, he stands out for the sincerity of his artistic approach and his unwavering commitment to bringing this genre to audiences worldwide. Juan Carmona first picked up a guitar at the age of ten and never let it go. For a young boy born in Lyon to a Spanish family recently exiled from North Africa, the instrument quickly became a universal key—an intimate language of his own, a divining rod leading him back to the Andalusia of his ancestors. As a young man, he traveled there to study with the great flamenco masters, but his guitar also became a compass, guiding him toward countless encounters: from his Gypsy brothers to Al Di Meola, from Gnawa musicians to India, from world stages to film soundtracks.
Deep down, I secretly hope that this “essential” album will inspire Juan Carmona to embark on another world tour—one that will bring him back here to the U.S.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, March 2nd 2025
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To buy this album (and others)
PRODUCTION : Nomades Kultur
DISTRIBUTION : L’Autre Distribution
SORTIE OFFICIELLE : 4 avril 2025
SORTIE SINGLE (plateformes) : 21 mars 2025
SPECIAL GUESTS : Al Di Meola, Montse Cortés, Istanbul strings orchestra dirigé par Samim Sakaryali
DISTRIBUTION ARTISTIQUE :
Guitare : Juan Carmona
Collaboration spéciale : Al Di Meola
Chant: Montse Cortés, María Peláe, Elena Salguero, Elaf, Rocío Valencia, Noemí Humanes, Alba Moreno, Maloko,
Choeurs: Loli Abadía, Aroa Fernández, Nicole Lise, Noemí Humanes, Virgina Alvés, Samara Losada
Chœur hindou: Maitryee Mahatma
Orchestre à cordes : Istanbul strings, dirigé par Samim Sakaryali
Piano/ Rhode/ clavier: Luis Guerra, Richard Larrozé
Basse: José Manuel Posada “El Popo”, Matt Garisson, Rainer Pérez, Dominique Di Piazza, Franck Galin Contrebasse: Pablo Martín Caminero, Yelsi Heredia
Percussion/ Batterie : Isidro Suarez, Ane Carrasco, Tino Di Geraldo, Horacio El negro, Piraña
Jaleo/ Palmas: Ane Carrasco, Juan Grande, Maloko, Kadu Gómez
Tablas: Pinku
Cuivres: Pierre Bertrand, Nicolas Folmer, Denis Leloup
CONCERTS
15 mars 2025 : THÉÂTRE COMOEDIA- Aubagne (13)
04 mai 2025 : Barcelone (Espagne)
13 mai 2025 : ESPACE 93 – Clichy-sous-Bois (93)
16 mai 2025 : L’ARCHIPEL – Perpignan (66)
17 mai 2025 : L’ESTIVE – Foix (09)
23 mai 2025 : SALLE JEAN CARMET – Allonnes (72)
25 mai 2025 : OPÉRA NATIONAL DE LYON – Lyon (69)
29 mai 2025 : INSTITUT FRANÇAIS – Madrid (Espagne)
03 juin 2025 : ESPACE PAUL ELUARD – Stains (93)
05 juin 2025 : THÉATRE JEAN-FRANÇOIS VOGUET – Fontenay-sous-Bois (94)
27 juin 2025 : MJC CALONNE – Sedan (08)
04 juillet 2025 : LES NUITS FLAMENCA – Aubagne (13)
09 juillet 2025 : Marseille Jazz des Cinq Continents – Marseille (13) tbc
11 juillet 2025 : LES ESTIVALES 41 – Souvigny-en-Sologne (41)
13 juillet 2025 : PARC DU CHATEAU BLEU – Tremblay-en-France (93)
20 juillet 2025 : Nuits de la Guitare – Patrimonio (20) tbc
23 juillet 2025 : ARÈNES – Fontvieille (13)
03 août 2025 : Fos-sur-Mer (13) – tbc
03 octobre 2025 : CONSERVATOIRE DE SÈTE – Sète (34)
04 octobre 2025 : CITÉ DES ARTS DE MONTPELLIER – Montpellier (34)
17 octobre 2025 : FESTIVAL ACCORDANSES – Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (13)
18 octobre 2025 : OPÉRA NATIONAL UNDERGROUND DE LYON – Lyon (69)
19 octobre 2025 : OPÉRA NATIONAL UNDERGROUND DE LYON – Lyon (69)
14 novembre 2025 : OPÉRA DE BORDEAUX – Bordeaux (33)
29 novembre 2025 : OPÉRA DE MARSEILLE – Marseille (13) Crédit photos : Frank Loriou