Flamenco Workshop with renowned flamenco guitarist Rafael
Introduction to flamenco techniques, rhythms and spirit for grade 6+ students
Sunday 17th May 2015
10am - 12noon
£20 per place This is part of the Advanced GuitarAcademy Series
Venue: Stoneham Court, Reading, RG30 4EZ
To book your place complete the form on reverse and send to
Amy Whitaker at Berkshire Maestros
Following a fine line
between innovation and
tradition, he has drawn
on his experiences from
performing in Spain,
Britain, Egypt, Singapore,
Qatar, France, Russia,
Ireland, Italy, Cyprus,
Thailand, Hungary,
Germany etc where he
has played with some of
the greatest folk, jazz,
classical and rock
musicians. Spain’s "El
País" newspaper hailed
his ability to "play with
the soul of a gypsy".
Over the years he has
recorded for many artists
including Bond girl and pop
diva Grace Jones and has
recorded endless library music
for television and radio.
In recent years, he has
collaborated in concert with
the Instituto Cervantes who
promote Spanish culture
abroad and with Tamara Rojo,
principal dancer of the Royal
Ballet.
Rafael has appeared on
numerous radio and television
broadcasts including Radio
Nacional de España, BBC and
the BBC World Service, ITV,
Granada Television (with the
Royal Philharmonic
Orchestra), Sky, CYBC Rik 1,
Channel 6, Egyptian National
Television, RTVE Spanish
Television and has performed
in the presence of Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II.
A few examples of Rafael's work appear in the best
selling “Guitar” book by Richard Chapman published by
Dorling Kindersley and The New Complete Guitarist.
Jason Webster dedicated his acclaimed best selling
book “Duende” to Rafael “For Rafa, and the duende
moments with him that inspired me”. The book is based
on Rafael’s life and stories living wth gypsies which was
subsequently revealed in the press.
In appreciation, Amalio Burguet luthier built a signatory
model “Rafael” flamenco guitar dedicated to the guitarist
for him to perform his concerts and recordings.
Rafael has featured in the television drama Midsomer
Murders performing on screen and appeared in a
television advert with the celebrated journalist Alan
Whicker. He recorded the guitar music to the BBC2
Natural World programme on Spain with Michael Portillo.
Rafael composed the music and performed for the
launch of the Duende DSP processor by Solid State
Logic, world leaders in recording desks. Peter Gabriel
the co-owner of SSL, who commissioned the piece,
turned up to listen and meet Rafael in Germany. He has
also been credited with ‘thanks’ on the Radiohead album
In Rainbows for his close friendship especially with
guitarist Ed O’Brien.
He is a very versatile
musician performing as
a soloist in Bizet's
Opera Carmen with
singers from the Royal
Opera House.