Pianist, composer and arranger. Born in Zaragoza (Spain) in 1977, Antonio Ballestín soon developed his musical vocation in various areas, with intense activity in classical music and popular music genres.

First musical studies in his hometown with Javier Laboreo. In 1998 moved to Barcelona for a degree in classical piano with Miquel Farré and a degree in Musicology. In this city he discover Jazz and Composition with masters such as Guillermo Klein and Joan Albert Amargós. In 2006 moved to the Netherlands thanks to a local bursary. In Codarts (Rotterdam), he studied composition and arrangement with Paul van Brugge, and jazz piano with Kris Goessens. In 2010, he obtained his degree, followed by Nuffic Scholarship to study a master in classical composition.

In 2012 he moves to London thanks to a new bursary of City University for Film Music.

His music has been heard on numerous stages and in festivals like Rotterdam Jazz International (2008), Red Sound Festival (2008), Youth Opera Festival (2007), Sofia Musik Week (2009), Tromp Percussion (2010), Cycle of Great Soloists Pilar Bayona of the Auditorio de Zaragoza (2011), Cicle Youth & Classic of the Ateneu Barcelonès (2011), Cicle PLG Young Artists (2012). Some of his works have also been included as part of programs in Higher Music Institutions, like the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague (Netherlands), City University (London), Zurich University for the Arts (Switzerland), Escuela Superior Reina Sofía (Madrid), or Conservatorio Superior de Música de Aragón (Spain).

Among the groups that have performed his music, special mention should be given to the Classical Jazz Ensemble, Rotterdam Shymphonic Jazz Orchestra, Codarts Shymphonic Jazz Orchestra, Magogo Kammerorkest, West Coast Big Band, Bulgarian National Radio Orchestra & Big Band, London City University Big Band, Classical Jazz Ensemble, Shymphonic Band of Alcañiz, Wonder String Quartet, Rotterdam Ensemble, Terpsichore Guitar Quartet, violinist Alma Olite and cellist Pau Codina.

Experiences in film music includes “Robot Shymphony” by Arno Volkers (Belgium), “Megumi” by MIRFILM (Holland) and theatre with the play “Anne Frank and the Stars” by Saltatium (Madrid).

Among his activities as pianist, highlights include the creation in 2003 of the group “Bitácora”, dedicated to the fusion of genres such as jazz, folk and contemporary music.

He won First International Composition Contests like the Federico Mompou (2010) or the Italy Pas (2012).

His main work have been published by Molenaar Edition (Amsterdam), Editorial Boileau (Barcelona) and HoneyRock Publishing (USA).

https://antonioballestin.com/