Special Flamenco Show, June 12, 2009

Upcoming show At Columbia City Theater

Photo Image by phothographer Adam L. Weintraub


Seattle, June 12, 2009, 8pm

Special guest from Sevilla,

Flamenco singer:

Jesus Montoya

Dancers:
Esther Marion, Savanna Fuentes

Guitars:
Rafael Vargas, Mark Ferguson

s

THE ARTISTS:

Jesus Montoya, is a Gypsy Flamenco Singer and Composer from Seville, Spain. He is a man of overwhelming integrity who sets a paramount higher standard in self expectation and in others who work with him. He is artistic director of the most well repected flamenco performance company: Montoya Flamenco Dance and Music Company which is widely known for putting on the greatest and most exciting flamenco shows worldwide. Most recent accomplishment is the releaase of his 8th CD recording with musical genius Osvaldo Golijov and Duetsche Grammophon which featured Jesus Montoya as the voice of Ruiz Alonzo and thee incredible staged production and recording of "AINADAMAR" "FOUNTAIN OF TEARS" which is a double winner of the 2007 Grammy Awards for "BEST CLASSICAL CONTEMPORARY COMPOSITION" and "BEST OPERA RECORDING." HOW I GOT MY START Jesus was born in Spain into one of the oldest gypsy families in 1966. He is steeped in flamenco purity and power leaving his audiences feeling enchanted, captivated and deeply loved. At the charismatic early age of seven, Jesus was known throughout his pueblo in Andalucia, Spain as "El Rey del Fandango"..... (read more) .

Esther Marion, Flamenco dancer, has been studying, performing, living and absorbing the art of Flamenco since teenager. She studied in Spain with great dancers such as Tati, Ciro, Merche Esmeralda, Joaquin Ruiz, Farruquita, Alejandro Granados, Carmen Cortez and many others.She has performed with nationally and internationally known Flamenco artists while in New Mexico such as Chuscales, Omayra Amaya, Conjay Pedro, Adam del Monte, Vicente Griego, the Encinias Family, Carlos Lomas, Pablo Rodarte and many more. In Seattle, she was guest artist with the Carmona Flamenco, founded Cafe Cantante and with Andalibre, she has regularly been performingas a dancer and singer.

Savannah Fuentes, discovered flamenco in Seattle with dancer Ana Montes. She continued her studies in Madrid with teachers such as La Tati, Belen Maya, and Cristobal Reyes. After returning to Seattle, and while pregnant, she began her studies with Maestra Sara de Luis. Sara has blessed Ms. Fuentes with inspiration, constructive criticism, and guidance throughtout her carreer. Unable to study abroad, Savannah has resorted to alternative ways to study flamenco. She began performing with Veronica Barrera with whom she formed " Amorfo Flamenco". This collaboration introduced her to singer Keiko Ooka. While working with Keiko she learned many things relating to flamenco singing and communication. In 2008 she was commissioned by The Seattle International Children's Festival (now known as Giant Magnet) for a series of shows with her own company. She assumed the role of artistic director and gained valuable knowledge and experience in the realm of artistic direction. For the past year she performed as a guest artist with Carmona Flamenco. Whether it be an educational program or a last minute danceworkshop with a visiting artist, Savannah is constantly working to improve flamenco awareness, appreciation, and education in Washington state.

Rafael Vargas, Peruvian music writer and guitarist completed his music studies at the University of Washington. His guitar studies of world genres allow him to have a versatile style which enables him to work with different ethnic music ensembles and musical settings. While Rafael is adept at a number of musical styles, he has devoted himself to the intensive demands of the flamenco art and has been bringing his dynamic and powerful guitar playing to concert halls of the Northwest as a soloist as well as a member of ensembles, such as Peña Flamenca de Seattle, Café Cantante and Andalibre. His intense desire to acknowledge world music has led him to explore, and express his musical experiences through his recording material “Amanecer” with his band Luna Nueva.

Mark Ferguson, Mark Ferguson was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He began studying the flamenco guitar in 1995. He has spent two years in Spain learning how to accompany flamenco song and dance. Mark spent one year as resident flamenco guitarist at the University of New Mexico and has toured with the Second Company of María Benítez. Mark has entertained audiences throughout the United States, Mexico and Korea.Mark has studied with many maestros, among them being: Pascual de Lorca, Flecha, David Serva, Chuscales, Juan Maya “Marote”, Jason McGuire, Jesús Álvarez, Niño Jero and others. Mark's album, Quemando Chante, is available on Itunes .

Mark plays guitar built in Portland- Oregon by Peter Tsiorba