KEPMA · Spain

José de Castro (Jopi)

A Spanish guitarist, composer and producer known as Jopi. His career spans rock, funk, pop and fusion instrumentals, alongside recording, arranging and live collaborations.

Electric guitar & fusionArranging & productionEducation & outreach

Career highlights

2002: debut instrumental album Un poco de lo mío
2010: opened JDC Studios in Madrid
Collaborations with Melendi and other artists
2026: album X

Works & listening guide

Un poco de lo mío (2002)
Music Guitar Box (2004)
Conversation (2006)
Live (2009)
Moments (2011)
The best of Jose de Castro for China (2014)
Breathe (2016)
Guitar Room (2019)
Pasted Rice (2020)
X (2026)

← Browse all artists Official channels · Official source 2 · Official source 3

Biography & performances

Musical journey & creative background

José de Castro, also known as Jopi, works as a guitarist, composer, arranger and producer. JDC Studios, established in Madrid in 2010, provides context for his recording work, while his solo releases document his instrumental composition.

Repertoire & listening guide

Follow the catalogue from Un poco de lo mío in 2002 through Conversation, Breathe and Guitar Room to X in 2026. The videos include personal repertoire and official equipment demonstrations, with their contexts retained in the titles. Listen for the different roles of lead and rhythm guitar.

Catalogue addition and musical direction

His official discography also lists the 2014 release The best of Jose de Castro for China. Including it brings the catalogue to ten releases from Un poco de lo mío (2002) to X (2026); his biography identifies X as his tenth album.

His official biography records more than twenty years as Melendi’s musical director and session work with Ricky Martin, Laura Pausini, Malú, Mónica Naranjo and Chenoa. It also identifies Tornado as his signature pedal developed with JOYO, extending his playing experience into equipment design.

Sources：José de Castro · Music ↗ · José de Castro · Bio ↗

José de Castro “Jopi” is a professional guitarist and music producer from Madrid.

He began studying classical guitar, harmony, composition, and music theory at the age of ten.

At seventeen, he became captivated by the electric guitar and joined several rock bands, eventually winning the “Villa de Madrid” competition with his bandmates.

He subsequently launched his career as a professional musician while also working as a guitar instructor at various contemporary music schools.

He concluded his teaching career in 2002, the same year he released his debut instrumental album, Un poco, which he independently arranged, recorded, and produced.

The album features nine tracks blending elements of rock, funk, pop, and fusion.

As a guitarist, he received widespread acclaim for this debut album from both domestic and international guitar media outlets (such as Guitarra Total and Guitarrista).

It also garnered attention from major international music publications like Guitar World and Vintage Guitar Magazine.

The album achieved significant sales across Europe, the United States, and Asia.

Discography

2002 — Un poco de lo mío: debut instrumental album, self-arranged, recorded and produced
2004 — Music Guitar Box, featuring Simon Phillips (Toto / Jeff Beck) and Melvin Davis (Chaka Khan / Steve Lukather)
2006 — Conversation; the same year he became a reference artist for the prestigious Suhr Guitars
2007 (recorded) / 2009 (released) — Live: double live CD at the “Rigoberta Menchú” theater in Leganés, Madrid
2011 — Moments, mixed by Ron Saint Germain (U2 / Jimi Hendrix) and mastered by Joe Gastwirt (Jimi Hendrix / Tom Petty)

Collaborations & Tours

From 2007 to 2009, the José de Castro Trío (Jose Vera on bass, Enzo Filippone on drums) shared the stage with Joe Satriani, Scott Henderson and Michael Landau during their Spanish tours, and he was invited to tour the USA and Europe with Guthrie Govan — 12 dates in total. He has also appeared at NAMM in Los Angeles and at Guitar Day in Milan and Madrid alongside Paul Gilbert. He is currently an endorser of Ibanez guitars (AZ series) and JOYO effects, and toured China in 2023.

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