Richard Peña shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Richard, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
What makes me lose track of time and find myself again is playing guitar. The moment my hands touch the instrument, time seems to either fly by in minutes or stretch into hours. It feels like everything else pauses as I dive deep into exploring melodies, harmonies, and rhythms hidden within the guitar.
When I finally lift my head, I realize that I’ve journeyed through many parts of myself. I often start playing as one version of me and end up transformed into another. Every time I play, I find myself again, constantly and continuously.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Richard Peña is a Puerto Rican jazz guitarist and educator whose work bridges the rich traditions of Afro-Caribbean music with the sophistication of modern jazz. Known for his mastery of both electric and classical guitar, Richard’s playing reflects a deep connection to his cultural roots while pushing boundaries with fresh, innovative sounds.
Beyond performance, he’s a dedicated content creator and teacher, with a thriving online community where he shares over 750 lessons and resources aimed at helping guitarists master jazz and Latin jazz vocabulary. His latest album, The Latin Side of Jazz Guitar, is a bold statement that redefines the role of guitar in Latin jazz through intricate rhythms and harmonies inspired by legends and his Puerto Rican heritage.
What sets Richard apart is his ability to blend tradition with innovation while maintaining a rigorous work ethic. He’s equally committed to growing as an artist and helping others do the same, making him not just a performer but a mentor and a voice for the next generation of jazz musicians.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
That’s a very deep question. For me, it was definitely my parents who saw me clearly before I could see myself. They recognized the talent and potential in me long before I did. From a very young age, they enrolled me in different music classes and encouraged me to explore various instruments.
But most importantly, they were the ones who put a guitar in my hands. They witnessed me practicing relentlessly, from morning until night, often falling asleep with the guitar in my hands. Their belief in me and their support gave me the space to grow and express myself through music.
Without their vision and encouragement, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: You’re not alone, and it’s going to be okay.
There were many moments in my childhood when I felt misunderstood or isolated, like nobody really saw me or stood with me. Looking back now, I know I had friends and people who cared, but at the time, it was hard to recognize that. When you’re young, your emotions are intense, your brain is still developing, and everything feels overwhelming. As Voltaire said, sometimes common sense isn’t so common.
If I could tell that to my younger self, I believe it would have eased a lot of the confusion and loneliness. I’d remind him to be patient, to trust the process, and to hold on to his passion, because those things would carry him through the toughest moments.
Ultimately, it’s a message of hope and resilience: you’re stronger than you think, and brighter days are ahead.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the music industry tells itself is that talent alone guarantees success. The truth is, no matter how good you are, without the right connections, marketing, timing, and sometimes just plain luck, talent often isn’t enough.
Another lie is that the traditional path, getting signed to a major label, selling tons of records, is still the primary way to build a sustainable career. That model is largely broken. Now, the real success stories often come from independent artists who hustle hard, build their own audiences, and wear every hat from creator to marketer to manager.
The industry also pretends that streaming is a fair playing field, but the payout systems are designed to benefit the biggest players and platforms, leaving most artists scraping for pennies.
Lastly, the industry loves to sell the idea that “overnight success” is common. It’s not. Behind every so-called overnight success is years of relentless work, rejection, and sacrifice that no one talks about.
The industry often sells myths that don’t match reality, and understanding that early is crucial for any artist who wants to survive and thrive.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, I’d stop stressing about bills and the daily grind that drains my time. I wouldn’t waste energy on things that don’t matter. Instead, I’d focus entirely on being with the people I love and doing what truly matters, making music, creating, and living fully with them. Life is too short to get caught up in distractions that don’t bring real meaning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.richardpenamusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardpenamusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richardpenamusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/richardpenamusicpr
- Other: https://linktr.ee/richardpenamusic
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