World-traversed and genre-fluid guitarist Ethan Margolis, aka “Emaginario,” is a prime example of an artist who has become greater than the sum of his many parts and pathways. Through the eclectic filter of his musical passions, studies and influences, Margolis has evolved into a creative and worldly artist, whose deep connections with flamenco, jazz, aspects of pop, blues and even punk coalesce into a unique musical voice. His distinctive story, which has encompassed evolutionary periods in Spain and Los Angeles—his homebase since 2011– begins just outside Cleveland, Ohio, in the embrace of a musical household. His familial heritage also extends into the Deep South, a root system instilling roots music consciousness. With a songwriting father and classical guitarist brother, Ethan followed a natural course into music, but went his own way from the outset.

 Throughout his career, Margolis has worked in numerous international and domestic theater and recording projects as a leader, sideman and producer.  He was musical director for the Spain-based touring company Arte Y Pureza and has gone on to set the music and interpretation for theatrical works such as Tsigan at USC, Yerma with Pittsburgh’s Quantum Theatre, and La Casa De Bernarda Alba at Cal Arts University.  His discography as a leader includes Soleángeles, Arsa 100, En Madrid, Speakeasy Session, and Sonikete Blues. The latter album garnered generous critical kudos, including a ringing endorsement from prominent Madrid-based critic José Manuel Gómez, declaring it one of the top 40 flamenco fusion albums of all time.

Entrenched by now in his still-maturing musical saga, Margolis continues the process of finding surprising–yet also logical–connections in the many strands of his musical life’s tapestry. He is an artist firmly in sync with an era of redefining of musical identities in jazz, flamenco and other formerly fixed musical genres. In effect, Margolis has found himself in both the roots and various offshoots, and his own links thereof, within the music world.

Margolis plays a Benedetto Bravo semi-hollowbody guitar, a nylon string Flamenco guitar by luthier, Francisco Barba, a Taylor 912ce builder’s edition acoustic, a nylon string Camps guitar with Fishman electronics, and a custom Carvin midi nylon string guitar.  He consistently uses the Fishman Platinum Pro EQ and Fishman Loudbox Performer on most of his live performances.  His credits include work with Herb Alpert, Macy Gray, Judith Hill, Mitchel Forman, Munyungo Jackson, Pedrito Martínez, Yelsy Heredia, Papa Michigan, Omar Faruk, Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland and Chano Domínguéz amongst others.

Website – emaginario

Instagram – emaginariomusic