MAS Presents is honored to welcome acclaimed Canarian musician Germán López, a virtuoso of the timple, the small five-string instrument native to the Canary Islands, joined by accomplished jazz pianist Matt King for a rare Denver performance.
Born in Gran Canaria, López began performing publicly at a young age and has since dedicated his career to expanding the possibilities of the timple while remaining deeply connected to the musical traditions from which it emerged. His music moves fluidly between folk, jazz, Latin, and contemporary influences, creating performances that feel both rooted in place and open to the wider world.
There is a warmth and immediacy to López’s playing that makes even unfamiliar musical traditions feel welcoming. He approaches the timple not simply as a folk instrument, but as a living and evolving voice capable of extraordinary nuance, virtuosity, and emotional depth.
Joining López is Matt King, a New York-area pianist, composer, and arranger whose musical background spans jazz, Latin, and Brazilian traditions. A winner of the Great American Jazz Piano Competition and semifinalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition, King has performed and recorded with artists including Chris Potter, Rufus Reid, and Benny Golson. His album Monk in Brazil explores the compositions of Thelonious Monk through Brazilian musical influences.
López has brought his music to international audiences, including an appearance at Lincoln Center in New York. His 2022 album Alma features collaborations with internationally renowned artists including Richard Bona and Lila Downs, reflecting his interest in musical traditions beyond the Canary Islands.
Together, López and King bring the distinctive sounds of timple and piano to the stage, drawing on their diverse musical backgrounds for an evening of musical exploration and cultural exchange.
RIYL: Paco de Lucía, Richard Bona, Thelonious Monk, Latin jazz, Brazilian jazz, Canarian folk traditions, acoustic instrumental virtuosity, global roots music.