José Luis Estellés, born in Valencia, can be counted one of the most outstanding soloists of his country performing today. He is acknowledged as a remarkably versatile musician, whose artistic activity embraces solo recital, chamber, concerto and orchestral playing, as well as conducting and the performance of contemporary music. He began his international performing career as a representative young soloist for his native country both in Venice’s Concerti per l’Europa (1989) and in Copenhagen’s 1992 North-South Concert of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Since then, he has appeared regularly in the most renowned venues. These include all major concert halls and international festivals in Spain, as well as in Japan, England, Italy, Denmark, Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United States and France, together with celebrated soloists, chamber groups, orchestras and conductors. RNE, TVE, France Musiques, RAI 2, Radio France, ARD, SWR and DR have broadcast some of his performances, and his recordings include works by Brahms and by Keuris, in association with the Orpheus Quartet, and by Guinjoan, Casablancas and Soler with Grupo Manon.
An active performer of contemporary music, Estellés has given premières of many pieces by composers including Luis de Pablo, José Manuel López, David del Puerto, Jesús Rueda, Alfredo Aracil, Joseph Dorfman, José García Román, Simon Holt, Mauricio Sotelo, Benet Casablancas, Francisco González Pastor, Anders Nordentoft, and José Luis Turina, among others. In 2000 he founded TAiMAgranada, an ensemble devoted to modern music, with which he regularly appears also as a conductor. He was also a founder member of Grupo Manon (1989-1998).
Having received his orchestral training as a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Spain (JONDE), and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, José Luis Estellés later performed as principal clarinettist in various leading Spanish orchestras as well as in England, Belgium and Germany. Since 1991 he has been principal clarinettist in the City of Granada Orchestra. He has given courses and master-classes in many countries and is currently Professor in at the Centro Superior de Música del País Vasco – Musikene, and clarinet and chamber music Guest Professor at the Rotterdam Conservatorium. He has been a member of the jury in international competitions, among others at the ARD Munich (2003), and has been recently appointed Artistic Director of Cameralia, International Chamber Music Festival in Santiago.
