Carlos Bonilla

(Quito, March 21, 1923 – Quito, January 10, 2010) One of the pioneers of Ecuadorian classical guitar and an important figure in 20th-century Ecuadorian music. He studied at Conservatorio Nacional de Música de Quito. He became there a professor of guitar and composition in 1952, and founded the guitar department in 1962. Bonilla frequently performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ecuador, where he played the contrabass until his retirement in 1985, and the Colombian Philharmonic Orchestra. Elder brother of Héctor Bonilla.