Miguel Espinoza Fusion and Maestro Raul Murciano
Schedule
Fri, 13 Mar, 2026 at 06:30 pm
UTC-06:00Location
1080 14th Street , Denver, CO, United States, Colorado 80202 | Denver, CO
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Musical Style: Flamenco, classical, jazzMiguel Espinoza Fusion, the collective beating heart of world-class musicians Miguel Espinoza (guitar), Dianne Betkowski (cello), Leo Corona (percussion), and Randy Hoepker (bass), invites the listener into a rich and colorful symposium of musical traditions. Firm roots in flamenco, classical, and jazz are woven through with North African rhythms, Celtic whimsy, and Brazilian expressions for a sound that is transformative, vibrant, and deeply emotive. Their fourth album, Gabriella (2023), features the collaborative efforts of two-time Grammy winner Howard Levy, as well as fellow two-time Grammy winner David Balakrishnan, of the Turtle Island Quartet. Their third album, Living in a Daydream (2022), again features extensive collaborations with Howard Levy.
Miguel Espinoza Fusion, located in Denver, Colorado, are the winners of Westword Magazine's Best of World Music, and their albums, Turtle Dreams and Veneta, have won Indie Acoustic Project awards. Veneta ranked #9 of the Top 200 World Music Albums of 2022 and was #11 on the Top 20 2022 NACC World Charts for 16 weeks.
Described by Guitar Player Magazine as "mesmerizing", Miguel Espinoza has recorded and performed with Bela Fleck, Kai Eckhardt, Kitaro, Tuck and Patti, Rita Moreno, and Ben Vareen, among many others.
A Miguel Espinoza Fusion show is like nothing else!
PRESS
“Miguel Espinoza Fusion is world class global chamber music making that explodes the parameters of style, yet ever remains close to the heart.”
~ David Balakrishnan, founding violinist/composer of the two-time Grammy winning Turtle Island Quartet
“The musical “chat” between the musicians of the Miguel Espinoza Fusion ensemble is also one in which disparate elements that have played a role in forming this music and in like manner, it is one in which everyone has a say, bringing to this art discourse, not only the flamenco that informs Mr Espinoza’s cultural references, but a wide sound world of different periods and stylistic pursuits.”
~ Raul Da Gama, LatinJazzNet.com, Full review here
“Espinoza delivered a performance billed as “flamenco fusion” that lived up to its label. Incorporating a wide array of styles, sounds, time signatures and textures, the group offered a hypnotic tour through a wealth of genres. Drawing from Spanish, North African and even Celtic musical structures, the band offered a performance that was at once soulful and technically seamless.”
-Adam Goldstein, The Scen3.com blog, full review: The Scen3
“While the group’s music seems firmly rooted in jazz tradition, their keen (almost telepathic) sense of interaction, openness to eclectic cultural influences, freedom to innovate, and attention to timbral contrast make it into a gorgeous global chamber music performance emphasizing beauty, elegance and intricacy.”
~ Joe Ross, Roots Music Report, Full review here
“Living in a Daydream is a world music project that sits at the juncture of flamenco meets sounds from around the world. As a result, the music comes to life with swarming rhythms and hummable melodies. Espinoza excels throughout as the anchor, and his synchronism with Betkowski is outstanding. Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion is an ensemble with a sincere connection to the material, exceptional guest artists, and an excellent group leader.”
-Steven Miller, Sound In Review, Full review : here
Best Jazz Album - Indie Acoustic
Best of World Music - Denver Westword
Best Instrumental Album - Indie Acoustic
Raul Murciano:
Raul Murciano has worn several hats in his life so far, from becoming a civil engineer to being a founding member/performer and musical director of The Miami Sound Machine (yes, with Gloria Estefan!), to earning master's and doctoral degrees in music theory and composition, serving over 29 years at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, first as Program Director of Media Writing and Production, then Full Professor of Practice in Composition, and ultimately as Dean of Administration of the entire School, to having moved to Denver in early 2020 and creating Raul Murciano’s Colorado Mambo Orchestra in 2021. The Colorado Mambo Orchestra has performed in a series of remarkable venues and festivals including Five Points Jazz Festival, Cuba-Cuba, Caffe Sole, Inga’s, The Brown Palace, Dazzle, KUVO Studios, Intercambio, The University Club, Cultural Caravan, The City of Lafayette’s Art Night Out, The Denver Jazz Festival, City Park Jazz Festival, and performances with CASA Children’s Advocacy Group, Flock Party at Denver Metro Zoo, Marjorie Park at Fiddler’s Green, as well as venues in Wyoming, Nebraska, and Idaho. Most recently they completed their third performance at Boettcher Hall with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Raul Murciano has enjoyed touring nationally and internationally, making music with world-class performers, and has derived great satisfaction composing and producing over 700 musical ads for radio, television (and even a few movie scores), and as a university professor felt privileged mentoring many currently successful and recognized (Grammy Award-winning) music producers, composers, entertainers, entrepreneurs, and fellow educators.
AND Make any night special with our Date Night Package. $45 for a delightful bottle of wine and a decadent dessert to share. Get the Premium package for $65 and add our chef's charcuterie plate to your wine and dessert. Add it to your evening by emailing [email protected].
For more information go to https://www.dazzledenver.com/dazzle-date-night-package/
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Where is it happening?
1080 14th Street , Denver, CO, United States, Colorado 80202Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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