Carlos Chirinos Musician and Anthropologist, born in Caracas, Venezuela. Has been working in the creative industries as artist, researcher, agent and industry advisor since 1995.

Employment History

After moving to London in 1999, Carlos worked as the European representative for South American record label, Latin World. In 2003 started Red Grasshopper Ltd. as an arts management and production company. As a booking agent, he's arranged concerts in the UK, mainland Europe and Venezuela working in venues such as Barbican Centre, Royal Festival Hall, Roskilde Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, amongst others.

Academic & Research Interests

Carlos has a BA in Anthropology from Universidad Central in Venezuela and a Masters in Ethnomusicology from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)- University of London. He is currently a PhD candidate in Ethnomusicology at the same institution.

He worked as a researcher for 4 years at the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC) and contributed to several research projects in indigenous cultures in Venezuela and Colombia, funded by the Organisation of American States and UNESCO. For his masters dissertation, he conducted fieldwork on the origins of chimbangle music in the Afro-Venezuelan ritual of San Benito.

His current interests include community radio projects in Africa and the United Kingdom and exploring the role of the creative industries as an economic tool for development.

Carlos is also director of OpenAir Radio, an online radio station based at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London and is saxophone player and bandleader of Longjon La Flecha