Marcos Loya Biography

MARCOS LOYA is an accomplished musician and composer and a master of acoustic guitar. He is also adept on requinto, jarrana, cuatro, 12-string, mandolin, electric guitar and various indigenous folk instruments. His debut CD, Love is the Reason, garnered an Independent Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year nomination. In 1996 he composed the score for the “American Playhouse” film adaptation of Tomas Rivera’s and the earth did not swallow him (y no selo trago la tierra). His music is featured in the films Deep Cover, The Waterdance, A Million to Juan, Old Gringo, Vibes, Stand and Deliver, Born in East LA, Hold Me, Kiss Me, Thrill Me and Kiss Me a Killer (for which he received a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award) and will be featured in Director Robert Rodriguez’ sequel to Desperado, entitled Once Upon a Time in Mexico. He scored and/or composed music for several plays, including the Los Angeles Theater Center productions of La Victima, August 29 (Drama-Logue Award, Best Original Music), Stone Wedding (Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award nomination), and most recently the Southwestern tour of Veteranos (A legacy of valor). His television work includes the musical scores for the PBS productions “Dreams of Flying,” “Elders,” “Between Friends” and “Los Pinateros.” His music can be heard in the “Mangas” episode of the PBS series “Foto Novela” for which he also composed the theme. He served as musical director for Univision’s long-running “El Show de Paul Rodriguez;” the Buenavista/ Disney “Navidad en las Americas” special; the ABC special “Latin Nights;” and NBC’s “Vida Awards.” Mr. Loya has performed and/or toured with a variety of performers including Placido Domingo, Linda Ronstadt (with the Houston Symphony Orchestra), Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Lalo Guerrero, Chick Corea, Chaka Khan, Gerald Albright, Hugh Masekela, Keiko Matsui, Phillip Bailey, Stephen Stills, Vicki Carr, Luis Enrique, and Jose Feliciano. With Madonna, he recorded “La Isla Bonita” and appeared in the video. Mr. Loya’s most recent project is the acoustic group Trio Los 5, which offers a fascinating look at the political/folk music of the Americas. The group, which includes current La Posada Mágica ensemble member Lorenzo Martinez and past member Mundo Armijo, looks for ways to express their Chicano heritage to contemporary audiences. He dedicates his performance to his mother Bertha Loya and the memory of his father, Arthur Loya, whose courage and love remain a constant source of inspiration. Mr. Loya would like to extend his thanks to Jack for the accordion and to recognize the generous sponsorship of Tacoma Guitars, whose fine instruments are featured in this production.