Arlington Heights native, Jack Cimo, has performed around the country, and the world, playing his classical guitar. But he returns to the area Wednesday, sharing his passion for classical guitar in a show that will feature a Latin American and Spanish repertoire with a sprinkle of Flamenco thrown in for fun. The show takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights. Purchase tickets here.
Jack Cimo
The concert is a coming home of sorts for Cimo, who now lives in San Luis Obispo, California. But playing in his hometown — and in the intimate listening room setting of Hey Nonny — is a thrill, he says.
“This is where I learned to play,” says Cimo, one of four brothers who attended Hersey High School and all played musical instruments. “I had such a positive experience here, in learning to love this art form — and my instrument.”
Cimo credits his mother, Bonnie, with exposing her sons to music. An accomplished pianist and organist, she grew up in a household where her own father repaired organs and played a lot at home. Consequently, Cimo and his brothers were exposed to music at early age.
He started playing guitar at the age of 5 and within two years he began taking lessons from Steve Suvada at Harper College, which he would continue until starting college.
Cimo with his former teacher, Steve Suvada
“Steve made you feel inspired,” Cimo says. “He taught me so much about guitar, music and life. I always felt better coming out of his lessons. He inspired positivity and a love of the instrument.”
Cimo also studied guitar while at Hersey, as a fine arts elective. He began in advanced guitar and made many of his friends in those classes, he says. He played with Hersey’s jazz band for one year and competed with them at Jazz in the Meadows, but his heart, he says, was consumed with classical guitar.
Through his lessons with Suvada at Harper, Cimo became involved with Harper’s Guitar Ensemble, led by Steven Vasquez. The experience allowed Cimo to take master classes with some legendary guitar virtuosos, including members of the renowned Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.
“They’re one of the top ensembles in the country for classical guitar,” Cimo says. “They really influenced me as a kid.”
Cimo as a featured soloist
Getting to know its members — and study with them — led Cimo to audition for and gain acceptance to USC’s Thornton School of Music, which brought him out to California. However, he continues to hone his craft. He recently completed a Master’s course in Music Performance and Interpretation in Palermo, Italy.
At Wednesday’s show, Cimo plans to play a variety of pieces, including some the audience will recognize and some that are unique. He describes playing the Flamenco selections, with its fast-paced fingering as, well, “energetic.”
Look for him to describe the music as well, as he settles in at Hey Nonny and talks directly to the audience.
“I’m interested in a lot of different styles of classical music,” Cimo says, “but I enjoy sharing my passion for (Latin American and Spanish) music — and the instrument — with people.”
Other News:
