Julio Azcano’s music seamlessly weaves classical mastery, improvisational fluency, and global influences, creating an acoustic palette that resonates across South America, Asia, Europe, and the USA. He has shared the stage with icons such as Leo Brouwer, Dino Saluzzi, Juan Falú, Carmen Linares, and Quique Sinesi, performing at prestigious events like the Menuhin Festival Gstaad, the “Maestros de la Guitarra” series with the Gran Canaria Sinfonic Orchestra, and Guitar City Warsaw, which was recorded and aired by the Polish National Radio. His performances have graced renowned venues, including La Usina del Arte and the CCK in Buenos Aires, Stadtcasino Basel, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus in Las Palmas, and Jazzclub Moods in Zurich. He has also performed and lectured at leading international guitar festivals such as Iserlohn (Germany), Guitarras del Mundo (Argentina), Lausanne (Switzerland), and the San Francisco Classical Guitar Society (USA)
Azcano’s ongoing exploration of diverse styles and cultures on the classical guitar serves as a constant refinement of his musical expression. His career has been shaped by a rich tapestry of collaborations, spanning genres and cultures. Highlights include projects with Yehudi Menuhin’s favored pupil, violinist Volker Biesenbender; Argentine double bass virtuoso Juan Pablo Navarro; jazz guitar master Sid Jacobs; bandoneonists William Sabatier, Luciano Jungman, and Gabriel Rivano; and Anatolian baglama player Taylan Arikan. He has also worked with Slovenian saxophonist Maja Lisac, Jazz & Blues singer Yana Bibb, Austrian jazz flutist Günter Wehinger, tango singer Marcela Arroyo, and jazz master Javier Girotto.
Critics have praised Azcano’s artistry for its technical brilliance and emotional depth. Jazz’n’more noted his “breathtaking technique, speed, and precision,” while Neue Zürcher Zeitung highlighted his “intelligent and restrained arrangements.” Minor7th described his music as “a timeless union of eclectic compositions and brilliantly executed performances,” and Akustik Gitarre likened the emotional depth of his playing to the solo piano works of Keith Jarrett.
His recordings, including the critically acclaimed album Distancias, showcase his remarkable ability to blend jazz, world, and classical music within the framework of the concert guitar. His compositions and interpretations captivate listeners with their “crystalline clarity and poetic brilliance” (Kulturtipp).
Immersed in the rich Argentine guitar tradition from an early age, Azcano completed his Diplom in Classical Guitar in Mar del Plata, studying with Eduardo Isaac, before expanding his musical horizons in Buenos Aires under Pino Marrone. A dual first-prize winner in classical and jazz categories at the National Biennial of Young Art in 2000, he launched his international career with tours across the USA and Europe. He later earned a Master’s Degree in Jazz and Improvisation at the Zurich University of the Arts, studying with luminaries such as Kurt Rosenwinkel and participating in workshops with Ralph Towner.
From 2013 to 2025, Azcano was a member of the Eos Guitar Quartet, praised by Leo Brouwer as “one of the best guitar quartets in the world.” During this period, the quartet performed music dedicated to them by legends like John McLaughlin, Paco de Lucía, and Ralph Towner. Since 2025, Azcano has focused on his own musical and academic projects, including a doctoral dissertation on improvisation for classical guitar at the Freiburg University of Music.
In addition to his artistic pursuits, Azcano is a sought-after lecturer and jury member at international institutions. He teaches at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, where he combines his artistic and academic expertise.