Nico Barberan
A journey through Blues, heritage, and Latin American rhythm.
Nico Barberan’s relationship with music began in Santiago, Chile, where he grew up playing guitar at the First Baptist Church. For several formative years, the church became his musical foundation. “That was the best school of music,” Nico says, recalling the place where he learned not only technique, but also improvisation, listening, and the emotional power of music.
In Chile, he performed with several bands and began developing his voice as a composer and bandleader. One of his earliest major artistic projects was Shabakano, an original Afro-Latin music group that recorded its first album in 2016. The project marked Nico’s first full studio recording experience and led to performances and touring in southern Chile, laying the groundwork for the independent artistic path he would continue to build.
Nico Barberan’s relationship with music began in Santiago, Chile, where he grew up playing guitar at the First Baptist Church. For several formative years, the church became his musical foundation. “That was the best school of music,” Nico says, recalling the place where he learned not only technique, but also improvisation, listening, and the emotional power of music.
In Chile, he performed with several bands and began developing his voice as a composer and bandleader. One of his earliest major artistic projects was Shabakano, an original Afro-Latin music group that recorded its first album in 2016. The project marked Nico’s first full studio recording experience and led to performances and touring in southern Chile, laying the groundwork for the independent artistic path he would continue to build.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in music from ARCIS University, Nico moved to Chicago in 2016 to pursue new opportunities and immerse himself in the city’s historic blues scene. Arriving with one guitar and a deep sense of purpose, he began building what would become the Nico Barberan Band, expanding his sound while performing and collaborating across the city.
While in Chicago, Nico pursued graduate studies at Northeastern Illinois University, earning a master’s degree in applied pedagogy in classical guitar. This period deepened his technical command of the instrument while broadening his artistic vision, bringing together classical discipline with the improvisational spirit of blues and the rhythmic richness of Latin American music.
A new chapter began when Nico moved to Tucson, Arizona, where his songwriting flourished. There he wrote and released original songs such as You Are My Love, Horizon, and Sing Laugh and Cry, while continuing to evolve as a recording artist and producer. In Arizona, he recorded Ethontronik and later Away Blues, an album that received praise from Blues Blast Magazine for its originality, musicianship, and expressive guitar work.
With the Nico Barberan Band, he became an active force in the Arizona music scene, performing at major festivals and respected venues including Tucson Blues Festival (headliner), Tucson Folk Festival (Finalist), Hotel Congress, Rhythm & Roots, Hotel Weatherford, Oro Valley Spring Festival, Arizona State Fair, and more. During 2022–23, he was recognized by the Blues Phoenix Society for his outstanding contributions to Arizona’s blues community.
Known for electrifying guitar solos, heartfelt vocals, and emotionally driven performances, Nico approaches every concert as a story told through sound. His live shows combine technical precision with spontaneity, blending cultures and genres into a performance style that is both deeply personal and powerfully engaging.
A new chapter began when Nico moved to Tucson, Arizona, where his songwriting flourished. There he wrote and released original songs such as You Are My Love, Horizon, and Sing Laugh and Cry, while continuing to evolve as a recording artist and producer. In Arizona, he recorded Ethontronik and later Away Blues, an album that received praise from Blues Blast Magazine for its originality, musicianship, and expressive guitar work.
With the Nico Barberan Band, he became an active force in the Arizona music scene, performing at major festivals and respected venues including Tucson Blues Festival (headliner), Tucson Folk Festival (Finalist), Hotel Congress, Rhythm & Roots, Hotel Weatherford, Oro Valley Spring Festival, Arizona State Fair, and more. During 2022–23, he was recognized by the Blues Phoenix Society for his outstanding contributions to Arizona’s blues community.
Known for electrifying guitar solos, heartfelt vocals, and emotionally driven performances, Nico approaches every concert as a story told through sound. His live shows combine technical precision with spontaneity, blending cultures and genres into a performance style that is both deeply personal and powerfully engaging.
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Beyond the stage, Nico is also a prolific collaborator and producer, working with artists across genres and contributing to projects in the U.S. and Latin America. His artistic path has taken him to performances throughout Chile, Latin America, Europe, and the United States, experiences that continue to shape the cultural depth and emotional color of his music.
Now based in Illinois, Nico Barberan is actively making waves across the Midwest while continuing to expand his international presence. In addition to his blues and rock projects, he is a founding member of Qiru Duet, a clarinet-guitar ensemble dedicated to Latin American music, with performances in Colombia, Mexico, Ireland, and the United States.
With multiple albums, singles, and collaborations to his name, Nico Barberan continues to build a body of work that crosses borders and speaks to universal human experience. His music is a journey—through rhythm, memory, and emotion—leaving a lasting impression wherever he performs.
Beyond the stage, Nico is also a prolific collaborator and producer, working with artists across genres and contributing to projects in the U.S. and Latin America. His artistic path has taken him to performances throughout Chile, Latin America, Europe, and the United States, experiences that continue to shape the cultural depth and emotional color of his music.
Now based in Illinois, Nico Barberan is actively making waves across the Midwest while continuing to expand his international presence. In addition to his blues and rock projects, he is a founding member of Qiru Duet, a clarinet-guitar ensemble dedicated to Latin American music, with performances in Colombia, Mexico, Ireland, and the United States.
With multiple albums, singles, and collaborations to his name, Nico Barberan continues to build a body of work that crosses borders and speaks to universal human experience. His music is a journey—through rhythm, memory, and emotion—leaving a lasting impression wherever he performs.