Biography
Professional profile
Has performed with numerous bands touring around the world and playing in the most important venues and the finest Spanish festivals.
Has taught private lessons, music theory and ensemble classes in schools and private studios to students ranging from beginners to advanced all ages.
Has recorded for several artist and projects including poetry, painter, and theater.
Has played in musical theater and contemporary street theater.
As a performer his main instrument is guitar but he also plays sitar, which he learnt in India where he played with well-known sitar masters, and has some knowledge of drums, bass, piano and sax.
Has studied with some of the greatest teachers and musicians including: Mick Goodrick, Joe Lovano, Hal Crook, JoAnne Bracken, Ken Cervenka, Ed Tomasi, Dave Santoro.
Education
Diploma Suma Cum Laude in Performance - Berklee College of Music, Boston MA
Aula de Musica Moderna i Jazz de Barcelona, Spain Modern music diploma, 2005
Instiut de Batxillerat Abat Oliba, Ripoll, Spain Batxillerat studies, 2000
Performance experience
Chico de la Moto - Contemporary funk band performing original compositions. (1st prize Concurs de Musica Moderna Ciutat de Vic)
Maconi - Contemporary jazz quartet.
Jazz Cava Big Band – Big band playing tunes from Catalan composers as well as jazz standards.
Pepsicolen – One of the finest and in demand street theater companies in Spain, mixing contemporary clown with music. Has performed around theworld playing about 200 performances a year.
Aramateix – Acclaimed and famous rock band in Catalonia has played in the most important festivals.(Palau St. Jordi, Acampada Jove,TV3(Autonomic TV),
Rai Castells Quartet – Jazz quartet playing original compositions.
As a freelance artist and performer has played with numerous bands and musicians in different kinds of musical and arts context.
Recordings
Chico de la Moto - studio cd recorded in winter of 2002 and released the spring of 2003.
Aramateix – studio cd recorded during the fall of 2006 and released in spring of 2006.
Jazz Cava Big Band – live cd recorded during the Ciutat de Vic Jazz Festival during the summer of 2006 (to be released).
Honors and Awards
1st prize of the Modern Music Competition Ciutat de Vic.
Scholarship from AIE (asociacion de interpretes i ejecutantes) while studying at l’Aula de Musica I Jazz del Conservatori del Liceu, Spain
Berklee World Scholarship.
Winner of the “Elvin Jones Scholarship”- Award for outstanding performer by the Performance studies of Berklee College of Music
Check out concerts and tour dates in his web: http://www.raicastells.com
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