Jimena Fosado is a 23-year-old female guitarist born in Mexico City currently living in Los Angeles. Influenced by different genres in order to create her own and unique sound mixing different elements in her music, she performs rock and metal combined with fusion and EDM: Better described as “Messhugah meets Guthrie Govan, Afrojack meets Steve Vai.”
She started playing piano at the age of four to follow in her father’s footsteps in piano education. Hearing “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits at age six inspired her interest in learning the guitar.
Despite her insistence, her father didn’t think she would take it seriously at that early of an age so he waited seven years until she couldn’t stop asking for it. He was convinced of her interest when she finished the Guitar Hero 3 video game he had bought for her instead in less than three days.
When applying for Musicians Institute, she was awarded the Synyster Gates Scholarship (Avenged Sevenfold). She has shared the stage and played with Steve Vai, Dave Weiner, Philip Bynoe, Paul Reed Smith(PRS Guitars), Scott Paige(Pink Floyd), Mike Beal (Earth Wind and Fire) Plain White T’s, Sky Dagncil (PRINCE) Karina Rae, Lynnette Shebyrd, among others.
Jimena is currently working as lead guitarist for Jesus Christ Superstar the musical touring in Mexico as well as recording her new album and performing on Latinamerican television and festivals playing her original music.
She has been in national tours in the U.S. She has participated in benefit performances, master classes, recording sessions, directed music bands, has been in the major press in Mexico and U.S.A. (TELEHIT, GuitarraMX, Shed Guitar Masters, Guitarramente, Talent Raters, TMZ, Fox News live, LA Weekly, the newspaper) She’s been a YAMAHA and LINE 6 product tester and is proudly endorsed by PRS Guitars, EMG Pickups and Elixir Strings.
She started uploading videos of her playing punk rock covers to Youtube and received attention by going viral and being mentioned on Twitter by some of the bands or artists she covered such as Simple Plan and Orianthi. The most viewed video passed over 100,000 views in such a short time. She is followed on social media by several artists supporting her work such as Joe Satriani, John Illsley, Orianthi, Nili Brosh, Cortney Cox, Nick Johnston, Angel Vivaldi, Aaron Marshall, Chris Broderick, Rob Scallon, Doug Doppler to name a few.
When she was 15, at a concert, she got the front and everyone pushed forward. Causing her broken ribs by both sides, separating them from the sternum and the nerves of the ribs getting swollen. She spent three months in bed receiving direct injections on the nerves near the sternum. Of course, that didn’t stop her and she took it as an opportunity to write lyrics about how she felt, powerless, far from her dream and guitar. This is a condition she has to live with because there’s a trauma on the nerves, she needs light guitars to be able to move on stage and perform for long.
She has demonstrated ease to write songs ever since. When she was in school friends would have personal issues, she could write about and they would identify with the songs.
She had rough times as well; Twitter was her principal page to communicate and make friends all over the world. There were people who were suffering depression trying to end their lives, she wrote and showed them songs making them feel supported. “When you can change or even save someone else’s life with music and much more with yours, that’s when I realized there’s no other thing I want to do for the rest of my life”.
When did you start playing guitar?
JF: I started when I was 14 years old. However, I wanted to play since I was 6 years old!
Are you self-taught or had lessons?
JF: I started on my own after learning a few chords from my dad. Later on, I got private lessons and several years later went to music school.
Who influenced you to pick up the guitar?
JF: Eddie Van Halen, Mark Knofler and Brian May.
What was your first big break when you moved to LA?
JF: I moved to LA to attend MI in Hollywood. After graduation, I landed gigs and tours across the U.S. I’d say that gave me a lot of experiences within the industry.
How did you get an opera rock gig?
JF: I was in LA and I got a call from the musical director looking for a lead guitarist. I honestly couldn’t believe he was reaching out to me! It felt like a huge challenge because it required a lot of changes in repertoire, a mix of different styles of music, and being able to sight-read. Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of my favorite composers so couldn’t reject the offer. I was honored they liked work and picked me. This experience opened my eyes to more possibilities. And being able to tour arenas has been a dream come true!
Are you going to put out a record or songs?
JF: Yes! Currently, I have a single streaming everywhere but I’m still recording other songs. I hope I can finish them soon. You know how musicians are. We never think anything is ready to be out haha.
How has social media helped your career?
JF: t has been so helpful to be able to reach people that are not in the same city or even country. The worldwide support has been amazing! It is incredible getting to know friends and colleagues from all over the world. I love how you post something and within seconds you are everywhere!
Any touring plans you want to announce in 2021?
JF: Unfortunately, Due to COVID 19, all tours are canceled. I was going to tour with
the musical as well as performances of my own. Hopefully, 2021 allows concerts. I miss playing live a lot!