A world music ensemble with
a "Spanish guitar twist," that performs a fusion of
Cuban son (a relative to salsa music), rumba, R&B, Latin-jazz,
blues, and African percussion with an underlying flamenco music
and dance focus.
Biography
The Guitars of Spain ensemble formed in 1999, when guitarist,
Carlo Basile was researching material for his Master's Degree
Lecture/Recital titled "Flamenco Music and Spain's Nationalist
Composers." Along with other guitarists and dancers who were
studying flamenco music from Spain, Carlo put together a series
of "Flamenco Night" performances (at Martyr's and then,
later, at the Hothouse in Chicago) that gave everyone a chance
to "practice their chops."
The "Flamenco Night" series was quite
successful and lasted for a few years. It also led to collaborations
with many fine musicians and dancers from the Chicago music scene
such as Doug Brush (percussion), Issa Boulos (oud), David Gonzalez
(vocals), Patricia Ortega-Alonso (vocals), Tomas de Utrera (guitar),
Peter Baime (guitar), Julie Goldberg (guitar), Hector Fenandez
(guitar), Greg Nergaard (bass), Colin Bunn (tres guitar), Wendy
Clinard (dancer), Kalyan Pathak (tabla), Siri Sonty (Indian dance),
Kinan Abou-afach (cello), and quite a few others.
In 2000, Carlo Basile, David Gonzalez, and Patricia
Ortega-Alonso composed some new music based on Spanish classical
and flamenco guitar forms. That material became the basis for
the ensemble's first CD release, "Donde Esta' Paco?"
Soon after, the ensemble began to receive some attention outside
of the "flamenco scene." The music began to evolve into
a fusion of styles that included Afro-Cuban percussion, Latin
American forms, Middle Eastern grooves, and Classical Indian music
as well.
In 2001, the ensemble visited Cuba to explore and
study some of the traditional music of the island. Much of the
music that was composed on that trip paved the way for the ensemble's
second release, "Ida y Vuelta." This second CD, "Ida
y Vuelta" (2002) has enjoyed world wide distribution and
critical success. The music is regularly featured on NPR's "La
Voz Latina" program. As well, it has sold out of it's first
pressing and it continues to chalk up sales at Amazon.com and
dozens of other internet sites for music purchase.
In 2003 and early 2004, members of the ensemble
traveled to Spain, Morocco, India, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia. The
ensemble also collaborated with Shona musicians from Zimbabwe,
Africa in the summer of 2003 and Rajasthani musicians from India
in early 2004. All of these travels and collaborations have, of
course, influenced the ensemble's approach to creating new music
based on traditional forms: "We continue to seriously study
traditional flamenco and other world music forms, yet as artists,
we also feel a need to express in our music and dance our personal
life experiences ranging from our travels to visual arts, poetry
and literature, as well as our own music heritages."
In December 2004, the ensemble released it's third
CD, titled "Un Respiro por El Mundo" which features
a blend of styles and grooves along with guest artists from Latin,
Indian, and flamenco music. In early 2005, members of the ensemble
traveled to India, Senegal, Mali, and Guinea for study, performance,
and inspiration.
In the fall of 2005, the ensemble, in collaboration
with Clinard Dance Theatre, presented "Unraveling Rhythms"
to audiences in the Chicago area. The collaboration produced 17
successful performances which were highlighted by sold out shows,
guest artists from India, and international praise of the work.
Over the past year, the ensemble began to record
new material and experiment a by adding the sounds of the African
Kora instrument along with a larger horn section. In 2006, Las
Guitarras played SRO performances for the Chicago Flamenco Festival,
the Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival, and the Chicago Cultural Center.
Members of the ensemble also visited Andalusia in Spain (twice)
to collect more traditional flamenco materials. In early 2007,
the ensemble benefitted from a week long collaboration with flamenco
singer/flautist/composer Alfonso Cid which culminated in a performance
for the Chicago Flamenco Festival. The sold out performance at
Chicago's Hothouse recieved excellent reviews.
The release of the new work, "Cuatro por Arriba"
(May 2007) is the 4th Las Guitarras CD to enjoy world wide distribution.
It clearly reflects recent collaborations and studies as well
as an "uptempo" mood.
Las Guitarras de Espana (The Guitars of Spain)
performs "Spanish guitar influenced world music and dance."
The ensemble is also influenced by Latin American and Middle Eastern
styles as well as American Jazz. The fusion of these styles backed
by Afro-Cuban percussion forms completes the unique combination
of sounds and grooves that is Las Guitarras de Espana.
The current core line-up features Patricia
Alonso (singer), Doug Brush (percussion) and Carlo Basile (guitar).
The "extended family" includes Greg Nergaard (bass),
Colin Bunn (tres guitar), Don Jacobs (clarinet), Diego Alonso
(guitar), Alexa Ramirez (cello), Chiara Mangiameli (singer/flamenco
dancer), Carolina Xavier (flamenco dancer), and Kassandra Kacoshis
(percussion).
