by Aaron Latham
The guitar duo of La Vienta was formed after a chance meeting in a hallway at the University of Texas at El Paso. Hispanic guitarist Mario Otero and European-born Stefan Schyga melded their individual talents to make their 1993 debut, Jazzmenco, an album that combines elements of jazz, flamenco, classical, Brazilian, and rock. They continued their successful formula with Night Dance in 1994 and Forgotten Romance in 1996.