Guitar Virtuoso Gabriel Ayala

Two Free Performances at El Pinto April 24th & 25th

El Pinto Restaurant in Albuquerque, New Mexico is mixing in with its cuisine the guitar rhythms of the Yaqui Nation’s Award winning guitar virtuoso Gabriel Ayala. During the annual Gathering of Nations Pow Wow in the Duke City, Ayala will perform at El Pinto Thursday before the Pow Wow and Friday. Ayala is an internationally acclaimed classical guitarist with notable performances before the Pope in Rome, Italy, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and at the Presidential Inaugural Ball for President Obama.

For two evenings, Thursday, April 24 and Friday April 25, 2014, Ayala will fill the air for an up-close and intimate performance with music which he says is best described as “JazzMenco” – an audible collaboration of classical guitar and flamenco vibrancy. Performances will begin at 5 p.m. and will be free and open to dining guests with a conclusion at 8 p.m.

“I’m thankful that El Pinto has invited me to showcase my music to accompany an incredible establishment of such fine cuisine,” said Ayala who prides himself with stretching people’s perceptions of the Native American musical genre. Ayala has shared his music both nationally and internationally including performances at the Poway Center for Performing Arts, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the National Museum for the American Indian.

Jim Thomas, co-owner of El Pinto states, “El Pinto is honored to connect both local and visiting patrons to an acclaimed musician such as Ayala who is celebrated in the musical community for his passion to share his knowledge of music to younger generations.” John Thomas adds, “When I heard Ayala's music for the first time I was astounded. His vibrant powerful sound is something that must be enjoyed, and El Pinto is the perfect spot for it.”