World-traversed and genre-fluid guitarist Ethan Margolis, aka “Emaginario,” is a prime example of an artist who has become greater than the sum of his many parts and pathways. Through the eclectic filter of his musical passions, studies and influences, Margolis has evolved into a creative and worldly artist, whose deep connections with flamenco, jazz, aspects of pop, blues and even punk coalesce into a unique musical voice.

Suffice to say, Margolis has evolved in tune with his own sense of artistic direction(s). His distinctive story, which has encompassed evolutionary periods in Spain and Los Angeles—his homebase since 2011- -begins just outside Cleveland, Ohio, in the embrace of a musical household. His familial heritage also extends into the Deep South, a root system instilling roots music consciousness. With a songwriting father and classical guitarist brother, Ethan followed a natural course into music, but went his own way from the outset.

Just as American jazz musicians relocated to Europe for generations to find a level of artistic freedom, Ethan moved to Spain to refine his own artistic expression after transitioning from guitarist-songwriter to Flamenco guitar accompanist. He spent the next 11 years immersing himself in the Roma (Gitano) musical circuit in Andalusia and later disciplined with the Pinini Family of Roma singers in Lebrija, Spain, which is one of the birthplaces for roots Flamenco music.

Returning to the United States in 2010 while simultaneously staying active in Andalusia, Margolis has retained his own "sketches of Spain" and its music while incorporating other popular musical idioms— including Blues, Cuban, and Americana into his ever-expanding musical repertoire. His album releases and production work bring this repertoire into full focus. The sounds of the Andalusian experience can be found throughout his recordings as well as his deep interest in Jazz and Delta Blues.

Back on American soil, and specifically in the musically plugged-in and multiculturally-enriched environs of Los Angeles, Margolis has expanded his artistic spectrum and directed his talents to various situations. He has worked in theater and recording projects and led a world jazz band incorporating a stellar personnel list of musicians, many of whom previously played for such jazz luminaries as Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter and John McLaughlin. Some of Ethan's regular collaborators include Deron Johnson, Mitchel Forman, Reggie Hamilton, Gary Novak, Tim Lefebvre, Munyungo Jackson and Katisse Buckingham. Most recently Margolis has collaborated on albums with Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland, Chano Domínguez, Pedrito Martínez and Caramelo de Cuba.

His discography so far encompasses albums as a leader, such as Soleángeles, Arsa 100, En Madrid, Speakeasy Session, and Sonikete Blues. The latter album garnered generous critical kudos, including a ringing endorsement from prominent Madrid-based critic José Manuel Gómez, declaring it one of the top 40 flamenco fusion albums of all time.

Entrenched by now in his still-maturing musical saga, Margolis continues the process of finding surprising--yet also logical--connections in the many strands of his musical life’s tapestry. He is an artist firmly in sync with an era of redefining of musical identities, in flamenco, jazz and other formerly fixed musical genres. In effect, Margolis has found himself in both the roots and various offshoots, and his own links thereof, within the music world.

-written by Joe Woodard with editions by Jon Thurber