|
Flamenco is the folk art and culture of the Gypsies from Andalusia, Spain. Now a world-wide practiced art form, flamenco has grown in popularity, has crossed cultural divides, and has evolved into one of the most sophisiticated genres of music and dance. We invite you to experience the world of flamenco!
ANNOUNCING OUR SURPRISE GUEST!!!!! Along with all of the amazing artists to be featured at the 3rd Tucson Spanish and Flamenco Festival this year, "Toque" on Sunday night will include our very special guest artist. Tucson rarely has the opportunity to see flamenco of such an amazing level!!! Don't miss this year's festival to include... Jose Luis Rodriguez!!!!!!!  José Luis Rodríguez is among the most important guitarists of his generation. After years at the hand of his teacher Mario Escudero he recorded his first album “Andalusí” (1986) for the Organization of American States (OAS) and toured the United Status in a show by the same name. After being a finalist for the Giraldillo in 1990, his career took a different path and he began to accompany some of the most important figures in Flamenco song and dance such as Carmen Linares, Naranjito de Triana, José Mercé, La Susi, Manolo Marín and Isabel Bayón, among others, while beginning to compose music for various Flamenco dance companies. José Luis Rodríguez composed music for Cristina Hoyos’ prestigious Flamenco dance company Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía for nine fantastic years. In 2005 he returned to his solo career as a concert guitarist and created his work “De mis Manos." In 2007, after composing the music for Belén Maya’s “Dibujos” and “Souvenir”, he composed a new work entitled “Alfonsina, la mujer del mar”, commissioned by Bailes Ferrer, with the voice of Cuban singer Gema Corredera where he combined both Flamenco and Afro-Cuban music, entitled by critics and the press in the US as “flamenco-filin”. Jose Luis Rodriguez is currently on tour with three very distinct productions as a soloist, with his flamenco guitar ensemble and with guest artist Gema Corredera (Cuba).  Briseyda Zarate Fernandez has inspired audiences both at home and abroad with her authentic artistry. Flamenco dancer, choreographer, teacher and artistic director, her style is emotive and improvisational, infused with the essence at the very heart of flamenco. Briseyda began dancing at the age of 5, performing professionally in the disciplines of jazz, tap and ballet dance throughout her adolescence. Her love of music, dance and rhythms naturally led her to flamenco. Her performance credits include the acclaimed Spanish Tablao “El Cafe de Chinitas”, as well as the "Pena Flamenco Los Cabales", "El Juglar", “La Pena Los Cernicalos” y “Sala Compania” in Jerez de la Frontera (the former under the direction of Javier La Torre for the Festival de Jerez 2010). She perfected her art at the “Centro de Arte Flamenco y Danza Espanola, Amor de Dios” in Madrid, Spain (the only conservatory recognized world wide for its exceptional training), her main teacher there being Manuel Reyes Maya. She has shared the stage with great artists, Manuel Malena, Juan Ogalla, Jose Fernandez, El Ciervo, “La Chungi”, Antonia “La Pescailla”, Nino de los Reyes, Leo Trevino, and many more. Currently based in Los Angeles, CA., Briseyda directs her company “Briseyda Zarate Flamenco Dance Company”. Her most recent works include “Asi Baila mi Corazon”, “Flamen-Cura -- Flamenco as Medicine for the Soul” and “Flamenca”. The former was pre-viewed in the Los Angeles Times and later that year inaugurated the first annual Los Angeles Flamenco Festival, sharing the bill with La Tania and Omayra Amaya. Briseyda caught the attention of the Los Angeles Times once again in her performance at the John Ahnson Ford Amphitheatre “...Briseyda Zarate scorched with her feline presence, a firestorm of filigreed fingers and fleet footwork...connecting to the music -- especially the soulful wailings of L.A.'s Jesús Montoya, the no-nonsense Zarate also skittered as if possessed”. She has performed as soloist and with her company at all significant flamenco venues in Los Angeles, New York and through-out California including the Fountain Theater, the historic El Cid and The John Ahnson Ford Amphitheater. She has toured Mexico with the most memorable performance at the Festival Internacional Cervantino. In the fall of 2010 she performed for the Los Angeles Opera at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in the production “The Barber of Seville”/ “El Barbero De Sevilla” in which she also assisted Spanish choreographer Nuria Castejon. She is the recipient of the “Jacobs Pillow Cultural Traditions Program” Scholarship (2008) And the winner at the prestigious “IV Concurso Naciónal de Flamenco” held in Albuquerque, NM. (2006).  From Dixon/Embudo, NM, Vicente Griego has devoted his life to the study of cante
US, Canada, and Latin America with the Jose Greco II Flamenco Dance Company, where he was mentored by Caña Roto singer, Alfonso Gabarri,
“Vicente Griego “El Cartucho” is striking for his deep, sonorous wails that seem to come from a cavern, someplace deep within his soul.”  Elena Osuna, from northern New Mexico, began her study of flamenco with Eva Encinias-Sandaval at the University of New Mexico. She continued her study under Joaquin Encinias as a member of Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company, and has also studied with Juana Amaya, Los Farrucos in Sevilla, and the dance studio Amor de Dios. She has traveled and performed extensively in Mexico City and in Los Angeles at famous tablaos and on distinguished stages. In 2005, Elena took first place at the Annual Concusro de Flamenco at the International Flamenco Festival. Her dancing, both powerful and endearing, pleases audiences from coast to coast. Currently Elena is a soloist with Yjastros.  Gabriel Lautaro Osuna, born to a family of artists and musicians in NewMexico, began singing hymns and laments as a child in his mountain village. He later pursued the study and performance of flamenco guitar in Spain and abroad. Chuscales, El Viejin, Pedro Cuadra, Ramon Jimenez, Rafael Habichuela, El Entri, Juan Maya Marote, David Marin and Miguel Angel Cortez are some of his most influential mentors. He has worked with vocal artists such as Angelita Agujetas, Jose Fernandez, El Rubio De Pruna, Israel Fernandez, Curro Albaicín, Haroun Teboul, Jesus Montoya , Vicente Griego (El Cartucho), Alfonso Gabarri (El Veneno), Mamak Khadem and Florence Riggs. He has collaborated on numerous studio recordings and is featured on Dezeo, a Latino album by Consuelo Luz. He has performed at the “World Expo” in Hannover, Germany, and at the “Saint-Florent-le-Vieil Les Orientales” Festival in France. Osuna has presented his music in theaters and in“tablaos” (small flamenco cabarets) including a season at the gypsy caves in Granada. Locally, he has performed in community centers, schools, rest homes, prisons and at humanitarian events. He participates regularly in the famed “Festival Flamenco Internacionál” in Albuquerque New Mexico. In 2010 Gabriel played the father of Mario in the world premiere of the opera "Il Postino" where he had the honor and privilege of working under the legendary Placido Domingo and the beloved Mexican composer, Daniel Catán. Currently Gabriel resides and performs in the Los Angeles area with the musical group"Encuentro."  Fanny Ara began her dance studies at age three, studying ballet and Contemporary dance at the Irene Popard school located in St. Jean de Luz in the French Basque country. In 1991 she began training in Spanish classical dance with Catalina Gommes and for the next ten years she traveled regularly to Madrid to study with maestros Isabel Quintero and Antonio Najarro. In addition to her studies in dance, she studied piano at the Bayonne School of Art for 11 years. She attained a BA in literature with a specialty in music. After graduating from the Bayonne School of Art, she relocated to Sevilla and Madrid. Over the next two years there, she pursued intensive flamenco studies with Juana Amaya, El Torombo, Manolo Soler, Hiniesta Cortes. While in Spain, she was also accepted into the prestigious academy of Mario Maya, and worked in tablaos in Madrid ("Al Andalus" and "El Juglar"). Fanny has become an established and important performer in the Bay Area. As a company member of Caminos Flamencos, she has shared the theater stage with artists such as Antonio de la Malena, Manuel de la Malena, Juan Ogalla, and Domingo Ortega. Fanny has been recently nominated in the category of Most Outstanding Individual Dancer (2006) from the Isadora Duncan Dance Awards. In June 2007, she presented her program "Magia Flamenca" in Washington DC with critical acclaim. Last summer Fanny created her her most recent work "A Traves de Sus Ojos" where Renne Renouf reviewed her as "always elegant, the reach of her arms generous, frequently evoking unseen forces, body occasionally concave , legs striding in earthy response yet with vulgarity absent, fingers spread in exclamation to the rhythms, leaving the stage abruptly, provoking a gasp of delight."  José Tanaka was born in Kyoto, Japan. Raised by a family steeped in the flamenco arts, with his father and his uncle both flamenco guitarists and his mother a flamenco dancer, Tanaka developed a natural ability and edge, distinguishing him among other artists. The Spanish name, José, was given to him by his parents to further strengthen his ties to natural flamenco, and Tanaka has exercised those ties by performing since childhood. In his teenage years, Tanaka ventured away from flamenco and began playing the electric guitar and by age 16 was already composing and performing his original music with his rock band regularly in various clubs in Kyoto, Japan. After graduating from high school Tanaka came to the United States to study Jazz, Blues, Latin and Rock styles and Music Theory at the Musician's Institute in Hollywood, California. He continues to perform with various bands throughout greater Los Angeles.
After being a guitar instructor for a few years, at age 24 Tanaka rediscovered his passion for flamenco and pursued further study in Sevilla and Madrid, Spain. There he polished his technique studying with the flamenco masters and developed and honed his soniquete (groove) and aire (feel), playing the guitar everyday amongst the Gypsies. Tanaka continues to go back to Spain frequently to get inspiration. José has toured throughout United States, Europe, and Japan performing in legendary venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, the Olympia in Paris, the Acropolis in Athens, Tarantos in Barcelona, and the famous El Flamenco tablao in Tokyo, Japan.
José Tanaka released his debut album/CD “Gypsy’s Dream” in 1999, featuring top musical talents such as percussionist Alex Acuña, wind player Pedro Estache and flamenco singer Jesus Montoya. In 2004, he released his much anticipated second flamenco album/CD “Lluvia.” and more....  Misael Barraza Winner of the 2010 Concurso de Flamenco at Festival Flamenco Internacional de Alburquerque!  Macarena GiraldezOf Seville, Spain Fabian and Katrina Sisneros co-directors of The Peña  Angelina Ramirez & Carlos Montufar of Flamenco por la Vida, Phoenix, AZ   Jason and Mele Martinez  and the Flamenco del Pueblo Viejo Student Co.  Andanza Spanish Arts of San Francisco, CA  Flamenco Fusion and Flamenco Inspired Musicians:  Chris Burton Jácome began playing guitar in 1986 yet his destiny to be a flamenco guitarist didn’t emerge until the early nineties. After receiving his Bachelor degree in Classical Guitar Performance and a second Bachelor degree in Spanish Literature at the University of Arizona, Chris moved to Seville, Spain. While living there, Chris studied flamenco guitar with some of the greatest flamenco performers of this era. Since Chris’ return from Spain, he has been living his dream as he tours the nation playing to sold-out performances accompanying flamenco dancers and singers and composing new music along the way. Chris’ music can be heard scoring the Emmy Award Winning PBS television special: “Flamenco” and on the popular TV shows “Kyle xy” and “Greek.” Chris was a featured soloist in the feature film “9/tenths” and two of Chris’ original songs appeared in the Cannes Film Festival Fipreski Prize winning film “Amreeka.” Chris has written and released 4 albums of his original flamenco music. His new album, “LEVANTO” features the music, lyrics and even the footwork from the flamenco spectacular by the nationally touring flamenco dance company, CALO FLAMENCO. Most recently, Chris’ song “Ritmo-Canix” (from LEVANTO) won the Grand Prize in the World Category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and was also voted to receive the Lennon Award. All of Chris’ CDs will have you yelling, “Olé!” long after you’ve finished listening to them. Ricardo Anglada  Ricardo Anglada was born in Northern New Mexico. He is a protégé and student of the world-renowned guitarist Jose “Chuscales” Valle. Ricardo was the winner of the Concurso Del Arte Flamenco de EEUU at age 17 where he was noted as having maturity in his playing. Not only a flamenco guitar soloist, he is a sought-after flamenco accompaniment virtuoso and has toured the US with world-renown flamenco troupes including Viva Carlota Santana, Juan Siddi Flamenco, and Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company. Antonio Arrebola  Born 1981 in Malaga, Antonio Arrebola began dancing at the age of eight. He was trained in Ballet and classical Spanish dance at the Conservatory of Malaga, where he also began studying Flamenco intensely with Susana Lupianez and Pepe Ruiz. In 2001 the Fundación Cristina Heeren de Arte de Flamenco in Seville offered Antonio a full scholarship to continue his studies with Flamenco greats, such as Manolo Soler, Javier Barón and Hiniesta Cortés.The following year, Mario Maya selected him as a student at the Centro Escénico in Granada, where Antonio Arrebola studied with Alejandro Granados, Rafaela Carrasco, Belen Maya, Juan Andres Maya and Mario Maya himself. Since the age of fifteen Antonio Arrebola has been performing in many of the most prestigious tablaos of Andalucia including La Cueva, Los Tarantos and Palacio Andaluz in Granada,and Casa Carmen in Seville and has elated audiences in the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Italy, Marroco, Canada, and Japan. In Spain, he has danced at many prominent festivals, such as the Festival de Castiblanco de los Arroyos and the Festival Flamenco de la Alameda de Hercules. In 2007 he danced in the Festivals of Los Veranos del Corral in Granada and the Festival de Jerez. He also performed with Mercedes Ruiz, Manuel Liñan and Belen Lopez at the Bienal de Málaga.  Marisol Encinias-Ibarra carries flamenco in her veins: she is part of the fourth generation of a family of bailaores (flamenco dancers); furthermore, she has received a thorough training in classical ballet and Spanish dance, which she has acquired in renowned schools, both in the United States and Spain. Antonio Canales, La Tati, Merche Esmeralda and Eva la Yerbabuena have been some of her teachers. Her work, both as a bailaora and as a teacher, is very closely linked to the Instituto Nacional de Flamenco (National Flamenco Institute), which was founded by her family and is dedicated to divulging and preserving this unique art form. Eva Encinias also participated actively in the organisation of the International Flamenco Festival that is held in the University of New Mexico. Vicente Griego  Vicente Griego “El Cartucho” from Dixon/Embudo, New Mexico has devoted his life to the study of cante flamenco, the art of flamenco singing. In 1992, Vicente began touring the US, Canada and Latin America, with the Jose Greco II Flamenco Dance Company, where he was mentored by Caño Roto singer, Alfonso “Veneno” of Madrid, Spain. Vicente remains a pupil of acclaimed guitarist, Chuscales and continues to accompany internationally renouned companies such as; Yjastros, Juan Siddi Flamenco Company, Carola Zertuche's Teatro Flamenco, Martinez' Pueblo Viejo, Fanny Ara, Jesus Montoya y Pureza Flamenca and Encuentro, to name a few. "Vicente Griego 'El Cartucho' is striking for his deep, sonorous wails that seem to come from a cavern, someplace deep within his soul..." - Anna Poplawska, Chicago Artist's News Rebeca Tomás Winner of the 2010 Concurso de Flamenco at Festival Flamenco Internacional de Albuquerque!  Based in Manhattan, Rebeca is one of New York City’s up and coming Flamenco artists, freelancing as a solo dancer and company performer, and producing her own original works. She has been deemed by the critics as “delightful” (New York Times), “masterful” (Eva YaaAsentawaa), “a fierce performer” (Explore Dance), and “a postcard image of the feminine Flamenco dancer” (Kansas City Metropolis). She has danced with the internationally renowned companies such as Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca, Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, Jorge Navarro’s Pasión Flamenca, and Oscar Valero Flamenco Company. Rebeca began her formal dance training in Granada, Spain at Maite Galán’s Escuela de Danza Española. She later moved to Madrid, where she studied at the internationally renowned Flamenco Academy Amor de Dios under such figures as Maria Magdalena, La China, Manuel Liñán, and Rafaela Carrasco. There she appeared at various tablaos, including Al Andalus and Las Carboneras. She has also studied in Sevilla with Juana Amaya, Pastora Galván, and Yolanda Heredia. She is a two-time recipient of the Jerome Foundation’s Travel and Study Grant, as well as a scholarship recipient of the school at Jacob’s Pillow. www.rebecaflamenca.com Also featuring... Fabian and Katrina Sisneros Misael Barraza 2009 ARTISTS: Flamenco artists to participate in the 1st Tucson Spanish and Flamenco Festival:  Ricardo Anglada was born in Northern New Mexico. He is a protégé and student of the world-renowned guitarist Jose “Chuscales” Valle. Ricardo was the winner of the Concurso Del Arte Flamenco de EEUU at age 17 where he was noted as having maturity in his playing. Not only a flamenco guitar soloist, he is a sought-after flamenco accompaniment virtuoso and has toured the US with world-renown flamenco troupes including Viva Carlota Santana, Juan Siddi Flamenco, and Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company. Fanny Ara began her dance studies at age three, studying ballet and Contemporary dance at the Irene Popard school located in St. Jean de Luz in the French Basque country. In 1991 she began training in Spanish classical dance with Catalina Gommes and for the next ten years she traveled regularly to Madrid to study with maestros Isabel Quintero and Antonio Najarro. In addition to her studies in dance, she studied piano at the Bayonne School of Art for 11 years. She attained a BA in literature with a specialty in music. After graduating from the Bayonne School of Art, she relocated to Sevilla and Madrid. Over the next two years there, she pursued intensive flamenco studies with Juana Amaya, El Torombo, Manolo Soler, Hiniesta Cortes. While in Spain, she was also accepted into the prestigious academy of Mario Maya, and worked in tablaos in Madrid. Fanny has been recently nominated in the category of Most Outstanding Individual Dancer (2006) from the Isadora Duncan Dance Awards. In June 2007, she presented her program "Magia Flamenca" in Washington DC with critical acclaim. Last summer Fanny was reviewed by Renne Renouf "always elegant, the reach of her arms generous, frequently evoking unseen forces, body occasionally concave , legs striding in earthy response yet with vulgarity absent, fingers spread in exclamation to the rhythms, leaving the stage abruptly, provoking a gasp of delight." Gabriel Lautaro Osuna was born to a family of artists and musicians in northern New Mexico. He was exposed to accomplished guitarists at a young age and has continued to study the art of flamenco guitar with respected masters both in the U.S. and abroad. El Viejin, Pedro Cuadra, Ramon Jimenez, Rafael Habichuela, El Entri, Juan Maya Marote and Miguel Angel Cortez are some of his most influential mentors. Gabriel has collaborated with various musical artists throughout the world including performances at the “World Expo” in Hannover Germany and at the “Saint Florent Middle Eastern Music Festival” outside of Paris. He has performed extensively in theater presentations and in “Tablaos” (small flamenco cabarets) including a season at the Gypsy caves in Granada. In New Mexico he has accompanied singer Vicente Griego and the great Jose “Chuscales” Valle and has taught at Festival Flamenco Internacional in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He currently resides and performs regularly in the Los Angeles area. Also Featuring: Fabian and Katrina Sisneros (Albuquerque, NM) Barbara y las Flamencistas (Tucson, AZ) Sophia Eva (Tucson, AZ) Flamenco Por La Vida (Phoenix, AZ) Adair Landborn and Peña Flamenca (Tucson, AZ) Flamenco del Pueblo Viejo Student Company (Tucson, AZ) Jason Martinez (Tucson, AZ) Mele Martinez (Tucson, AZ) Sarah Hinson (Prescott, AZ) Misael Barraza (Hermosillo, Mexico) Angelina Ramirez (Scottsdale, AZ) Melissa Aguirre (Hermosillo, Mexico) Macarena Giraldez (Sevilla, Spain) Jon Banuelos (Tucson, AZ) |
