Today we’re joined by the guitarist Rubén Reinaldo, who visits us to present his first album as a leader, Fusión Olívica. Rubén is an outstanding guitarist with an unwavering vocation — both as a performer and a composer, and also in his dedication to teaching. His determination and musical conviction are admirable. Needless to say, he’s an optimistic person; one thing goes with the other.
With Fusión Olívica, he invites us on a journey through space and memory. Carrying an optimism that shines through his music, Rubén tells the story of the places he cherishes most — Vigo, his neighborhood, the memories of his beloved uncle, and his dear grandmother. Places and people that have deeply shaped his life. And he does so using the musical language he knows best: a form of jazz rooted in memory, with original compositions influenced by the blues and by ensembles featuring the electric organ. It’s sincere, honest music, because Rubén, with sensitivity, freshness, spontaneity, and experience, shows himself just as he is — and that is no small achievement.
This summer I had the pleasure of meeting guitarist Rubén Reinaldo. We met in Santiago de Compostela, and he kindly gave me a copy of his album — a gift I treasure at home. I don’t have it with me right now, but I keep it safe — a true gem, especially in its vinyl edition. It was a real pleasure to meet him in person. Today, we’ll continue the conversation that began at the Santiago Casino, and Rubén will tell us how the Fusión Olívica project came to life — its genesis, and the story behind the music — as well as introducing us to his fellow travelers on this adventure: Antonio López “Monano” (organ), Gustavo Hernán (double bass), and David Failde (drums).
Rubén Reinaldo (Vigo, 1986) is a guitarist, composer, and educator. A self-taught musician at first, he studied at the Conservatory of A Guarda and later at Estudio School in Santiago. His academic path led him to earn the Advanced Diploma of Rockschool (London), the “Teaching” qualification from the T.L. Conservatoire (UK), and a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Guitar from the Conservatorio Superior de A Coruña, graduating top of his class in 2017.
He has refined his technique through masterclasses with international artists such as Greg Howe, Allan Holdsworth, Larry Coryell, Peter Bernstein, and Louis Stewart. His versatility and technical skill have led him to collaborate with groups including MSC Band, May Day, Tonhito de Poi, and Freedom Xlave, as well as projects in jazz, blues, and fusion. As a leader, he has stood out with the duo Acuarel (with Kely García) and the trio Crafit. Today, we present his newest work, Fusión Olívica (2025). Alongside his performing career, he directs the Guitar Department at CDM Ponteareas (Centre of Modern Music and Dance, Ponteareas, Galicia — affiliated with RockSchool London), and since 2022, he has co-directed the Musikenza music school in Vigo.
Today we’re joined by the guitarist Rubén Reinaldo, who visits us to present his first album as a leader, Fusión Olívica. Rubén is an outstanding guitarist with an unwavering vocation — both as a performer and a composer, and also in his dedication to teaching. His determination and musical conviction are admirable. Needless to say, he’s an optimistic person; one thing goes with the other.
With Fusión Olívica, he invites us on a journey through space and memory. Carrying an optimism that shines through his music, Rubén tells the story of the places he cherishes most — Vigo, his neighborhood, the memories of his beloved uncle, and his dear grandmother. Places and people that have deeply shaped his life. And he does so using the musical language he knows best: a form of jazz rooted in memory, with original compositions influenced by the blues and by ensembles featuring the electric organ. It’s sincere, honest music, because Rubén, with sensitivity, freshness, spontaneity, and experience, shows himself just as he is — and that is no small achievement.
This summer I had the pleasure of meeting guitarist Rubén Reinaldo. We met in Santiago de Compostela, and he kindly gave me a copy of his album — a gift I treasure at home. I don’t have it with me right now, but I keep it safe — a true gem, especially in its vinyl edition. It was a real pleasure to meet him in person. Today, we’ll continue the conversation that began at the Santiago Casino, and Rubén will tell us how the Fusión Olívica project came to life — its genesis, and the story behind the music — as well as introducing us to his fellow travelers on this adventure: Antonio López “Monano” (organ), Gustavo Hernán (double bass), and David Failde (drums).
Rubén Reinaldo (Vigo, 1986) is a guitarist, composer, and educator. A self-taught musician at first, he studied at the Conservatory of A Guarda and later at Estudio School in Santiago. His academic path led him to earn the Advanced Diploma of Rockschool (London), the “Teaching” qualification from the T.L. Conservatoire (UK), and a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Guitar from the Conservatorio Superior de A Coruña, graduating top of his class in 2017.
He has refined his technique through masterclasses with international artists such as Greg Howe, Allan Holdsworth, Larry Coryell, Peter Bernstein, and Louis Stewart. His versatility and technical skill have led him to collaborate with groups including MSC Band, May Day, Tonhito de Poi, and Freedom Xlave, as well as projects in jazz, blues, and fusion. As a leader, he has stood out with the duo Acuarel (with Kely García) and the trio Crafit. Today, we present his newest work, Fusión Olívica (2025). Alongside his performing career, he directs the Guitar Department at CDM Ponteareas (Centre of Modern Music and Dance, Ponteareas, Galicia — affiliated with RockSchool London), and since 2022, he has co-directed the Musikenza music school in Vigo.
Rubén Reinaldo – Fusión Olívica, 2025
https://rubenreinaldo.bandcamp.com/album/fusi-n-ol-vica
[Fusión Olívica] is the first solo album by Rubén Reinaldo, conceived as a tribute to his hometown, Vigo, and to the personal experiences that have shaped his life and musical journey. The album has a strong conceptual component: each track is inspired by places, family memories, and emotions connected to his experience in Galicia. The music reflects a search for organicity and beauty through jazz fusion, with compositions designed to sound spontaneous despite their complexity. The project was born from childhood memories—[the Teis neighborhood], [the Cíes Islands], [his grandfather's house], the influence of his mother and grandmother, friendship, reading, and Vigo's corners—becoming a sonic diary full of evocation and authenticity, recorded with the whole band playing together in the studio to capture collective freshness.
Musicians: Rubén Reinaldo (guitar, composition, arrangements, co-production), Antonio López “Monano” (organ), Gustavo Hernán (double bass), David Failde (drums).
Tracks:
Escuchas, Teis Blues
A Vigo con Mis Cinco
Vida en Padrenda
Tres Islas Cíes
Latino Ribas de Sil
Nubossa Bahía
Café y Cristina
Ritmo sobre Victoria
Recorded in Vigo, April-May 2025. Released June 2025 by Free Code Jazz Records.
This album presents a concept where the olive tree is an artistic thread (the album's title means "Olive Fusion"), radiating warmth, authenticity, and a jazz sound that blends Latin influences, blues, and modern hard bop with a prominent Hammond organ groove. The ensemble is tight-knit and lively, providing a fresh, optimistic, and colorfully nuanced tone throughout the tracks. The album offers a balance of spontaneity and careful composition, making it a compelling musical journey through Vigo's landscapes and Reinaldo's personal history.
Listening:
Ruben Reinaldo - Fusión Olívica - Escuchas, Teis Blues
Ruben Reinaldo - Fusión Olívica - Café y Cristina
Ruben Reinaldo - Fusión Olívica - Vida en Padrenda
Ruben Reinaldo - Fusión Olívica - Tres Islas Cies
Ruben Reinaldo - Fusión Olívica - Latino Ribas de Sil
Ruben Reinaldo - Fusión Olívica - Nubossa Bahia
Ruben Reinaldo - Fusión Olívica - Ritmo sobre Victoria
Links:
https://loslatidosdeljazz.com/ruben-reinaldo-fusion-olivica-album/
https://www.facebook.com/scottyanowjazz/posts/a-fine-album-by-a-jazz-guitarist-from-spain-this-review-is-in-the-october-issue-/10167675218429852/
https://apoloybaco.com/jazz/disco-del-mes-septiembre-2025-fusion-olivica-de-ruben-reinaldo/
https://www.vigoalminuto.com/2025/07/08/fusion-olivica-de-ruben-reinaldo/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNxUzs5tD68
https://rubenreinaldo.bandcamp.com
https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/2il9u2qxmMv30sQl1tM8Gt?theme=0
https://www.guitarcalavera.com/ruben-reinaldo-presenta-escuchas-teis-blues-primer-adelanto-de-su-disco-fusion-olivica/
https://www.makingascene.org/ruben-reinaldo-fusion-olivica/
https://music.apple.com/es/artist/rub%C3%A9n-reinaldo/1817363959
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