About Ernesto Schnack

Ernesto Schnack is a Panamanian guitarist and composer well known throughout the rock and jazz scenes of his country. Born in 1976 to a German father and a Panamanian mother, his interest in music started at a young age. He studied piano at the National Conservatory of Panama, and guitar at the Contemporary School of Music. After living and studying in Germany for a year, he enrolled into Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he graduated in 2001 with a B.A. in Composition. A year later he released his solo CD "Wood", recorded entirely with sounds from his acoustic guitar. Soon after, he produced and composed the music for "Neuropunk", debut recording for Aníbal De León, one of most reknown drummers in Panama and founder of the Panama Drum Festival. Ernesto was a member of the rock bands Natha and Hacienda Libre, as well as the jazz/fusion groups Calle Mood and Los Intelectuales. With Hacienda Libre he won third place in Panamarock's first competition for new bands and formed part of the resulting compilation CD. Ernesto produced the two tracks recorded by the band. He also wrote the music for the short film "Cambios" by Victor Mares, which was part of the seventh Biennial Art Exhibition in Panama. With Natha he released "Vendimia" in 2006, and that same year he formed part of the Panama Jazz Festival with Los Intelectuales. In 2007 they were invited to perform at the first Boquete Jazz Festival. Ernesto is currently composing and recording new material for his next CD. www.ernestoschnack.com