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).
On Sunday, September 25th the festival will host a concert dedicated to flamenco’s most encompassing element – “Toque.” D.E. Pohren, author of The Art of Flamenco says, “The guitarist is the unsung hero of flamenco.” Though many times overshadowed by the grandeur of flamenco cante and baile, flamenco toque is one of the most exquisite examples of musical composition’s power over the soul. True to flamenco, the toque is often an improvised art, adding the essential spontaneous composition along to the requirement of impeccable technique to play respectfully. The festival will showcase a vast range of guitar music – from the most authentic forms of classical Spanish, to flamenco varieties, to contemporary music largely inspired by flamenco and the classics.
The evening dedicated to toque will present flamenco guitarists including: Jose Tanaka, Japanese-born and flamenco bred musical talent coming from a family of flamenco musicians; Gabriel Osuna, guitarist and singer versed and acclaimed in flamenco as well as various other Latin music forms; Misael Barraza, Mexican born flamenco guitarist and winner of numerous international awards in flamenco and classical guitar; Chris Burton Jacome, Tucson-born recording artist and director of touring group, the CBJ Ensemble who will debut his new musical project, “Flaméxico”; and Tesoro, Tucson’s own popular local band specializing in Latin Fusion and Spanish-inspired rock. The evening will culminate in a special performance of “Farruca” (a masculine and powerful dance often accompanied by beautifully lyrical and percussive guitar composition) performed by Jason Martinez.
What: 3rd Tucson Spanish and Flamenco Festival Concerts: “Cante,” “Baile,” and “Toque.”
Where: Casa Vicente, 375 S. Stone Ave. Tucson, AZ 85701, 520-884-5253
When: “Cante” - Thursday, September 22nd, “Baile” – Friday and Saturday, September 23rd and 24th, “Toque” - Sunday, September 25th
Time: Performances and Events – doors open 8:00 pm nightly. Friday and Saturday performances go until midnight.
Cost: “Cante” and “Toque” - $25/nightly entrance. “Baile” $30/nightly entrance. Ticket packages available. To purchase tickets, visit our Store.
