Biography
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"Morillas proved his condition as one of the best guitar players of our time” |
"… He leaves a record of his mastery and good skills.” |
José Luis Morillas is considered, by the critics, one of the most important guitarists of his generation. He finds in the classic guitar an intimate way to share his experiences and feelings.
Prestigious stages such as more than fifteen major theatres across the Asian giant have warmly welcomed his music. Shanghai City Theatre, Wuxi Grand Theatre Philharmonic, Lianyum Gang Arts Center, Nantung Gengsu Theatre Hall, and Kunming Concert Hall are just a few examples. In America, his guitar reaches audiences through the UNAM in Chicago and Mexico. In Africa, he makes his debut in 2024 at the Cairo Opera House (Egypt) alongside The Cairo Symphony Orchestra. His journey through Europe includes renowned venues in Russia, Portugal, Turkey, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Albania, Slovakia, and Estonia. He has performed in a large number of theatres across Spain like "Teatro Cervantes” (Málaga), "ADDA Sinfónica” (Alicante) or "Auditorio Manuel de Falla” located in his beloved Granada.
He has been recognized with sept national awards and nine international awards. He has played as a soloist with ensembles such as The Cairo Symphony Orchestra, "Orquesta Joven de Andalucía” (Andalusian Youth Orchestra), "Orquesta Ciudad de Granada” (Granada City Orchestra), "Orquesta Ciudad de Almería” (Almería City Orchestra), "Orquesta Filarmonía”, "Hispanian Symphony Orchestra” or the "Banda Municipal de Granada” (Granada’s Municipal Band), under the direction of conductors like Enrique García Asensio, Ahmed El Saedi, Lucas Macías, Arturo Tamayo, Ricardo Espigares or Michael Thomas.
"… a flawless musicality”
Michael Thomas, violinist and orchestra conductor
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The city of the "Alhambra” witnesses his growing, firstly in Guadix where he began his musical training in the heart of an art lovers’ family and where he stands out since his childhood due to his high expressive power… |
… and later on, in Granada where he finished his Music Degree with Cum Laudem and honours distinction by the professor Carmelo Martínez. |
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"… a tenderness which manages to move me” |
"… a vocational guitarist he has an excellent music formation” |
He completed his training with Ricardo Gallén at the "Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt” in Weimar (Germany) and in Düsseldorf (Germany) with Joaquín Clerch. He got a scholarship in 2011 to participate at the LIV edition of the "Curso Universitario Internacional de Música Española ‘Música en Compostela’” (International University Programme of Spanish Music "Music in Compostela”). Moreover, he finishes with distinction his Master Degree at the "Conservatorio Superior de Música Óscar Esplá” (Alicante) under the guidance of the mentor I. Rodes. He has the opportunity to receive advices from important instrumentalists: Pepe Romero, David Russell, Carlo Marchione, Álex Garrobé, Marcin Dylla, Pavel Steydl, Gerardo Arriaga, José Luis Rodrigo, Marco Socías, or Roberto Aussell, among others. Special mention deserves the teacher David Martínez, a prominent mentor in his career
José Luis Morillas brings together art and science. His integral vision of the musician takes him to deepen into the bio-functional area of the human body through his studies in Medicine and Surgery. He is specialised in Odontology, graduating in 2010 from the University of Granada. Nowadays he is still linked with the research on this field in musicians.
"…does not let anybody indifferent”
José María Peinado, Medicine University’s former chairman
Being concerned about the importance of training the future generations of musicians he uses his experience to become a teacher and management position at the "CPM Carlos Ros” in Guadix. Additionally, he is frequently invited as a teacher for masterclasses at different institutions and festivals, as well as jury at different international competitions.
José Luis is actively engaged in the creation of new music, with highlights including the world premieres of the Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra by Juan Miguel Hidalgo, the orchestral adaptation of Joaquín Turina’s Fantasía Sevillana Op. 29, Ernesto Halffter’s Viaje Romántico a Granada (Romantic Trip to Granada), David del Puerto’s Poema de la Bahía (commissioned by the 36th Andrés Segovia International Guitar Competition), and Fang Songping’s Journey along the Kuche Silk Road, premiered at the 2025 Kuqa International Festival alongside Naseer Shamma (oud), Tomoka Nagasu (Samoan pipa and shakuhachi), Ibryim Baraiti (percussion), and Fang Jinglong (pipa).
He has recorded for various television and radio stations, including the international production company MedienKontor Movie (Arte Channel). He has also collaborated with outstanding artists such as Damon Robinson, Javier Castiblanque, David Martínez, Atsuko Neriishi and the flamenco guitarist José Fernández "Tomatito” at the premiere of an unique performance of the "Concierto de Aranjuez” as a guitar duo.
"… a vision that basically sounds the same, but completely different…”
J. Pérez. Journal "Ideal”
Granada closes this story as in this city, and possibly under its magic, is where his first album is born, accompanied by a big artist’s cast and with the record label Ibs Classical. It is a project based on the chamber music of the composer J. M. Mourat and dedicated to Andalusia, with evocative pieces of its regions, traditions and culture. It is recognized with the "Gold Melómano" distinction.
"José Luis Morillas, an Andalusian prince of the guitar”
Jean Maurice Mourat, international soloist and composer.