Widely regarded as one of the leading virtuosos of the new Classic Guitar generation, Ricardo Cobo gave his professional debut with the Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá at age seventeen on a nationwide telecast for an audience of over nine million people. Celebrated for his passionate and mesmerizing performances worldwide, he is in high demand as soloist, chamber musician, lecturer and recording artist. Born in the City of Cali, Colombia, Ricardo Cobo is the son of Lebanese immigrants who came to the Americas looking for a new life during the first half of the 20th century. His mother, a classical pianist and avid visual artist, taught him to play and read music as a child. His father, a brilliant surgeon who founded the first university school of medicine in Colombia, was a devoted concertgoer and lover of classical music. He instilled a fascination for guitar music in his young son while studying for his surgeries, which he prepared while listening to long hours of Flamenco and classical recordings.

Decorated on numerous occasions by his country, Mr. Cobo was the first musician ever to be awarded the “Executive of the Year Award” by the Cámara Junior de Colombia, one the country’s oldest and most prestigious professional organizations. He was decorated by his country with the “Order of Cañasgordas” and personally by the Mayor of Cali, with the “Order of Belalcazar” for outstanding Merit in cultural affairs. Locally, Mr. Cobo chairs the classical guitar department at UNLV and is founder and artistic director of the Guitar Las Vegas/Allegro Guitar Series hosted at UNLV’s Doc Rando Concert Hall.