Flamenco guitarist Marcos Gago Pino, known professionally as Marcos de Silvia, from Jerez in southern Spain, had an early passion for guitar. At just 8 years old, he embarked on a journey of learning the flamenco guitar under the guidance of professor Eusebio López.
In 2018, Marcos had the honor of performing at a tribute concert dedicated to maestro José Luis Balao in the historic Alcázar de Jerez. This event marked a pivotal moment in his musical journey and introduced him to the renowned guitarist Paco Cepero, from whom he received invaluable advice and intensive master classes.
Venturing beyond his hometown, Marcos traveled to Denmark in 2019 to collaborate with Kristine Hastrup and took part in the vibrant Flamenco Zambomba of the Tío José de Paula peña. These experiences not only broadened his musical horizons but also introduced him to the global flamenco community.
The year 2020 brought new dimensions to Marcos’s musical education. He began receiving individualized guidance from Santiago Lara. He also attended the XXVI International Jazz Seminar (Sedajazz) in Valencia, delving into harmony and jazz under the tutelage of Ivan Cebrián and Chema Vilches.
In 2021, Marcos’s artistic endeavors included starring in a documentary by maestro Jorge Pardo and performing at the V Granada International Guitar Festival. He also participated in events like the Kriatura International Flamenco Festival, displaying his ability to connect with audiences of all ages.
Marcos’s skills extended beyond guitar. He accompanied the talented bailaora Daniela la Soleá, showcasing his ability to seamlessly blend his guitar skills with dance performances. Notable collaborations included the Baluarte de Cádiz Flamenco Contest and the International Flamenco Day Flashmob.
Marcos’s dedication bore fruit when he won the Flamenco Guitar Talent Contest for singing and dancing accompaniment at the Cristina Heeren Foundation in Seville. His remarkable achievements led to high-profile appearances, such as inaugurating the 55th Fiesta de la Bulería de Jerez and participating in the XXX Tribute Tribute to Camarón in San Fernando.
In 2023, Marcos’s journey continued with a scholarship at the Fundación Flamenca Cristina Heeren, underscoring his commitment to constant improvement. His formative years included masterclasses with influential musicians like Gerardo Núñez, Diego del Morao, Antonio Rey, Rafael Riqueni, Moisés Sánchez, and Iván Cebrián, demonstrating his thirst for knowledge and skill enhancement.
Marcos de Silvia’s recent trajectory reflects a steady expansion across major flamenco stages, institutional programs, and international circuits. In early 2024, he appeared as flamenco guitarist at the Zambomba of the Peña Tío José de Paula in Jerez de la Frontera. Shortly after, he joined the closing performances of the 28 Festival de Jerez as second guitarist on Manuela Carrasco’s farewell tour. That same period included a performance at the Diputación de Cádiz awards ceremony alongside José Ignacio Franco.
In April, he presented a recital at the Auditorio del Colegio de los Basilios in Alcalá de Henares under the auspices of AIE. Summer brought festival appearances at IKFEM Tui-Valença and the Festival Internacional del Cante Flamenco de Lo Ferro. By August, he took part in the opening of the Fiesta de la Bulería in Jerez within Ezequiel Benítez’s ensemble.
Activity intensified in September with a solo concert at the VII Benalmádena Flamenco Guitar Fest, followed by participation in the XXIII Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla as second guitarist in Como el Ave Fénix, again with Manuela Carrasco. In October, he appeared in Logroño at Sala Negra Café Teatro. November closed the year’s main cycle with a recital at the Peña Tío José de Paula, organized in collaboration with AIE and the Instituto Andaluz del Flamenco.
During 2025, de Silvia extended his presence beyond Andalusia. In March, he joined Al Compás de Jerez in Barcelona, sharing the stage with Jesús Méndez, Felipa del Moreno, and Manuel Monje. In April, he contributed as an instructor at the Kriatura Festival, working with Danish students. Subsequently, he joined the Love Flamenco World Tour, performing throughout the United States and Mexico.
Later that year, he appeared at the Dubrovnik Festival in Croatia and collaborated at Flamenco On Fire in Pamplona with Antonio “El Turry.” In September, he received the first Beca Legado Paco de Lucía, awarded in partnership with the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation and the Fundación Paco de Lucía. Studio work followed in November, including recordings for Ezequiel Benítez’s Lo que nadie ve and José Mercé’s Canta a Manuel Alejandro. The year concluded with a Spanish tour of Love Flamenco, with performances in Almuñécar, Torrejón, Soria, and Murcia.
In 2026, he maintained a consistent performance schedule. February included an appearance at the Peña Cultural Flamenca Lucero in Montilla, accompanying Antonio “El Turry.” In March, he participated in the XXX Festival de Jerez within José Maya’s production Color sin nombre, where he received the Premio Guitarra con Alma. By April, he returned to the Kriatura Festival for its ninth edition.
(headline image: Marcos de Silvia — Photo by JG Latorre)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
Updated Marcos de Silvia’s biography and photos.