Ricardo Cárdenas – FREE

Classical Guitarist

Ricardo Cárdenas seamlessly blends his work as a guitarist, composer, and educator. Born in Chile and now based in Eugene, his genre-defying career spans both borders and styles. Notable highlights include recording with the iconic Cherry Poppin’ Daddies and performing alongside Grammy winner Gaby Moreno. Whether collaborating with legendary Zimbabwean artist Thomas Mapfumo or inspiring the next generation of players, Cárdenas continues to shape the global music scene. Cárdenas composed original music for the stage production Ardiente Paciencia, presented by the Milagro Theatre in Portland, as well as for Gabriela Martinez’s documentary Keep Your Eye on Guatemala, which was presented at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including Richard Crandell, Neil Patton, Masumi Timson, Ciro Magnani, Carlos Zapien, Mark Schneider, Niels Miller, among others. As a classical guitarist, Ricardo has performed extensively at libraries, universities, concert halls, and festivals throughout Oregon. In addition to performing and composing, he is dedicated to teaching classical guitar and Latin American music in both school and private settings.