Classical Guitar Virtuoso JESSE COOK to Play the Lincoln April 7

Extraordinarily gifted and versatile, guitarist and composer Jesse Cook creates music so boundless that multiple labels—including jazz, world, and flamenco—are required to adequately describe his dynamic sound. Yet, his music is utterly accessible which explains global album sales exceeding two million, and consistently sold-out shows across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and beyond. Always mesmerizing in concert, Cook has amassed widespread critical acclaim and prestigious awards for multiple live and studio albums.

CAPA presents Jesse Cook at the Lincoln Theatre (769 E. Long St.) on Saturday, April 7, at 8 pm. Tickets are $24-$40 at the CAPA Ticket Center (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (614) 469-0939 or (800) 745-3000.

Now touring in support of his new album, Beyond Borders, the Juno-winning Canadian guitarist Jesse Cook has traveled the globe looking for sounds that resonate with him. He has recorded in seven countries on three continents, collaborating with Egyptian, Columbian, Brazilian, African, and Armenian musicians to develop a singular synthesis of flamenco, jazz, R&B, electronic and world music.

On Beyond Borders, he found inspiration in his own backyard of Toronto. The album took two and a half years to make, with every track created to Cook’s own meticulous standards. He writes, records, and arranges the music, creating templates with deep emotional foundations, before inviting collaborators to add nuance and shading to the compositions.

Cook was born in Paris, to Canadian parents. The family moved to Arles, where they bought a small home built in the 16th century, for $100. After moving back to Canada, he studied flamenco at the Eli Kassner Guitar Academy, and classical guitar at the Royal Conservatory of Music before moving on to York University and Berklee College in Boston.

During his school years, Cook became interested in recording. His cousin also got him a job writing for a choreographer, leading to offers to compose for dance troupes. Although composing kept his guitar chops in shape, Cook wasn’t thinking about performing. “At the end of my 20s, I recorded Tempest a flamenco album, with some electronic elements. I made it at home, just for fun. I released it independently and the first thousand CDs sold out in a week.” Cook made 2,000 more. By the end of the second week, they were gone too. “I got a record deal from a company in the States and decided to start performing and writing seriously. It’s the best decision I ever made.”

On his albums, and in concert, Cook explored the history of flamenco, tracing its roots from India to Spain and Cuba. Along the way, he developed his signature synthesis of world music. He’s released 10 genre-defying albums, garnering 11 Juno nominations (Canada’s Grammy Award) – and one win in 2001 for Free Fall in the World Music and Instrumental categories.