Born in Toronto, Raleigh-based guitarist and Liscio recording artist, Ed (Stefanyshyn) Stephenson’s virtuosity extends throughout the Spanish and Nuevo Flamenco genres. In addition to performing throughout North America as a soloist and with his Nuevo Flamenco ensemble, the Paco Band, Stephenson has invested locally through performances with The North Carolina Symphony, The North Carolina Theater, The North Carolina Bach Festival, and The North Carolina Guitar Quartet.  Ed’s most recent recording, Esencia, is craftily blended to deliver a new dimension of Nuevo Flamenco music. It includes six ensemble tracks and four solo tracks. Roger Cope of The Classical Voice of North Carolina praised the album saying, “The ensemble is tight with rhythmically biting and often infectious enthusiasm… The solos are duende-imbued renditions of standard classical guitar repertoire that are surprisingly effective and that refresh their signature elements… It has all the characteristics and virtuosity of traditional flamenco guitar but falls outside—or perhaps expands upon—the limited traditional flamenco harmonies and structure. You find influences such as bossa nova or Latin, rock, jazz, swing and salsa, and others.”