Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Percussion Day en Londres


Que decir...me lo pasé en grande!
Percussity está editando los vídeos del evento y de las entrevistas con Eguie Castrillo, Giovanni Hidalgo y Luis Conte. Pronto estarán en esta web y en percussity.com

Ahí va una pequeña crónica de lo sucedido:

Larga cola para entrar, el evento desbordó las mejores previsiones. Se superó el aforo de la sala y se tuvo que quedar bastante gente sin poder entrar. Lástima, esperamos que otro año se puedan solucionar estos problemas para no morir de éxito.

Empezó Eguie Castrillo. Hacía tiempo que no veía al que fue mi maestro, y la verdad fue una alegría reencontrarnos después de unos años.
Eguie optó por la pedagogía pura. Impresionante. Demostraciones de calentamientos, la mano secreta, coordinación, sonido, groove y un montón de buenos consejos para todos los públicos. Además, como no podía ser de otra manera, lo regó todo con ese buen humor que lo caracteriza. Que hartón de aprender,...y de reir!
Luego vino el señor Luis Conte. Descripción de grooves, de estilos y consejos para mezclarlos en pop, rock,...Recomendaciones muy prácticas para la vida real. Impagable clínica y además con ese plus de elegancia que tiene como persona y como músico. Tremendo caballero.
Por desgracia, me tuve que perder la mitad de el clínica de Luis ya que los siguientes éramos Mónica y yo.

Mónica Cano, bailaora de primerísimo nivel, y yo habíamos planteado este clínica con mucho cariño. Lo preparamos con meses de antelación. Des de aquí agradecer la impresionante capacidad de trabajo y el interés que puso Mónica desde el primer momento que le propuse participar en este clínica.
La clase consistió en una pieza con baile y cajón en la que se combinan diferentes palos del flamenco, bulerías, tangos, seguiriyas,..que compusimos (con la inestimable ayuda del bailaor Ivan Gongora) especialmente para la ocasión.
Luego lo desglosamos y hablamos sobre la historia y la técnica de cajón, los palos y el compás (que bonito ver a toda la sala llevando las palmas por bulerías), la relación de la percusión con el baile,...
Agradecer también a Duende Percusión, de quien soy endorser, por su ayuda y por las camisetas que al final del clinic pudimos distribuir a los asistentes.

Y finalmente el gran Giovanni Hidalgo.
No creo recordar a ningún instrumentista que ose realizar una improvisación de hora larga (casi sin respirar, lo juro) que no aburra a los asistentes. Pero es que además estábamos todos de pié, disfrutando como locos, y no sé los demás, pero un servidor estuvo todo el rato con la carne de gallina. Empezó por las pailas, continuó con las congas y acabó mezclándolas con los bongós. Prácticamente no habló, ¿para qué? Muy bonito. Aprendí (¿no son para eso los clinics?) y además me emocioné.

Luego, al acabar, todos fuimos a tomar unas cervezas bien merecidas en el pub. Además de Giovanni, Luis, Eguie y Mónica estaban muchos de los percusionistas con los que he tenido la suerte de verme estos años en Londres:Daniel, Satin Singh, Sola Akingbola, Rick, , Pattrick,...y muchos otros asistentes al evento a los que tuve el placer de conocer esa noche. Fue, por un día, el pub con mayor concentración de percusionistas del mundo! Historias, risas,...en definitiva uno de esos días que uno aún se siente más orgulloso de formar parte de esta comunidad!

Por último agradecer a Percussity (en especial a Pino!!) y London Center of Contemporary Music por invitarme. Espero y deseo que este Percussion Day celebre una segunda edición.

Friday, December 01, 2006

Masterclass with Giovanni Hidalgo, Luis Conte, Eguie Castrillo and Monica Cano


El dissabte 27 de Gener, a Londres, participaré en una jornada de percussió amb alguns dels millors percussionistes del món.

Aquesta és la informació que he traduit:


PERCUSSITY.COM es complau de presentar, el dissabte 27 de Gener de 2007 i amb la col.laboració del London Centre of Contemporary Music, una jorndada de masterclasses amb Giovanni Hildalgo, Luis Conte, Eguie Castrillo, Albert Vilà i Mònica Cano.

Aquesta extraordinaria jornada de percussió tindrà grans noms de la percussió afro-cubana i flamenca. Els horaris seran de 12 a 6 de la tarda. L' entrada es gratuita pero es recomenable fer una reserva previa via e-mail contact@lccm.org.uk, o através de la web www.lccm.org.uk

Giovanni Hidalgo
An artist some describe as "touched by the hand of God," conguero Giovanni Hidalgo plays a major role in shaping the way the world thinks of hand drumming. With legendary percussionists Tito Puente, Armando Peraza, Patato and the late José Mangual, Sr. topping the list of his most ardent fans, Giovanni and his natural talent are bringing new respect to Latin rhythms as well as to the rhythms of his birthplace, Puerto Rico.


Luis Conte
Grammy-winner Luis Conte is an acknowledged master of percussion. His celebrated career includes touring and/or recording work with some of the greatest names in contemporary music, including Madonna, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Santana (Supernatural album), Jackson Browne, Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett and countless others. His percussion clinic tours take him around the world teaching musicians the essentials and history of Afro-Cuban rhythm.


Eguie Castrillo
Originally from Puerto Rico, Eguie Castrillo is an accomplished percussionist who has toured extensively around the world. Performances with Tito Puente, Arturo Sandoval, Steve Winwood, Michael Brecker, Ruben Blades, Paquito D' Rivera, Michel Camilo, KC and the Sunshine Band, Dave Valentin, Giovanni Hidalgo, and Jennifer Lopez. Recordings include Hot House, with Arturo Sandoval, The Latin Train, with Arturo Sandoval, sound track The Perez Family, for MGM, Get Down Live!, with KC and the Sunshine Band, and A GRP Celebration of the Songs of the Beatles. Eguie is currently an associate Professor at the prestigious Berklee College of Music.


Albert Vila

Born in Barcelona, Albert is a percussionist, arranger and composer. He has performed, recorded and/or toured with artists such as Modern Romance (Shrek sountrack), Chi 2 (Moby, Anastacia), top spanish band Estopa, Lluis Coloma, El Sobrino del diablo, Danna Leese Routh and has worked for record labels like BMG, DIVUCSA and PICAP. His recording experience includes tv jingles and movie soundtracks. As an arranger and composer he has written for band formats ranging from jazz big-band to classical symphony orchestra. Albert holds a bachelor degree at the prestigious Berklee College of Music and a golden award diploma at Musicians Institute London. He has also studied in Cuba. He teaches currently at LCCM, Conservatori Superior del Liceu de Barcelona and Aula de Musica de Barcelona (associated school to Berklee). He is endorser of Duende Percusion.
Albert is a founder member of PERCUSSITY and will run a flamenco clinic with Monica Cano.

Monica Cano

Monica Cano is one of the most in demand flamenco dancers in Spain. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Spanish Dance from the Institut del Teatre (Barcelona). Her training and professional experience is vast and eclectic. Not withstanding her extensive world tour with the greatest names in flamenco history: Joaquin Cortes, Antonio Canales, Nuevo Ballet Español. Monica has also worked with contemporary dance greats (Ramon Oller), renowned theater and film directors (Calixto Bieito, Franco Zeffirelli). Furthermore she has performed in operas like Traviata, Rigoleto, Caballeria Rusticana. She has worked for inhouse ballets on TVE, ETB, Antena 3 and features on many TV jingles. Besides performing, Monica also teaches at the prestigious Institut del Teatre de Barcelona. She is also one of the core dancers at PERCUSSITY.


On Saturday 27th of January, I am running a clinic with some of the best names in the percussion world. Not to be missed!

Here is the info:

PERCUSSITY.COM is proud to present a great day of master classes in collaboration with the London Centre of Contemporary Music with special guests Giovanni Hildalgo, Luis Conte, Eguie Castrillo, Albert Vila and Monica Cano on Saturday 27th of January 2007 . This unique percussion day will feature great names in hand percussion from the world of Afro Cuban and Flamenco music. This is a great opportunity to see and hear the world's best. Come down and enjoy a day of clinics and seminars. The day begins at 12 pm and finishes at 6 pm. Entry is free although we expect a big turnout so you need to register your name quickly. To reserve your place please e-mail contact@lccm.org.uk or for more info visit the LCCM website www.lccm.org.uk

Giovanni Hidalgo
An artist some describe as "touched by the hand of God," conguero Giovanni Hidalgo plays a major role in shaping the way the world thinks of hand drumming. With legendary percussionists Tito Puente, Armando Peraza, Patato and the late José Mangual, Sr. topping the list of his most ardent fans, Giovanni and his natural talent are bringing new respect to Latin rhythms as well as to the rhythms of his birthplace, Puerto Rico.

Luis Conte
Grammy-winner Luis Conte is an acknowledged master of percussion. His celebrated career includes touring and/or recording work with some of the greatest names in contemporary music, including Madonna, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Santana (Supernatural album), Jackson Browne, Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett and countless others. His percussion clinic tours take him around the world teaching musicians the essentials and history of Afro-Cuban rhythm.

Eguie Castrillo
Originally from Puerto Rico, Eguie Castrillo is an accomplished percussionist who has toured extensively around the world. Performances with Tito Puente, Arturo Sandoval, Steve Winwood, Michael Brecker, Ruben Blades, Paquito D' Rivera, Michel Camilo, KC and the Sunshine Band, Dave Valentin, Giovanni Hidalgo, and Jennifer Lopez. Recordings include Hot House, with Arturo Sandoval, The Latin Train, with Arturo Sandoval, sound track The Perez Family, for MGM, Get Down Live!, with KC and the Sunshine Band, and A GRP Celebration of the Songs of the Beatles. Eguie is currently an associate Professor at the prestigious Berklee College of Music.

Albert Vila
Born in Barcelona, Albert is a percussionist, arranger and composer. He has performed, recorded and/or toured with artists such as Modern Romance (Shrek sountrack), Chi 2 (Moby, Anastacia), top spanish band Estopa, Lluis Coloma, El Sobrino del diablo, Danna Leese Routh and has worked for record labels like BMG, DIVUCSA and PICAP. His recording experience includes tv jingles and movie soundtracks. As an arranger and composer he has written for band formats ranging from jazz big-band to classical symphony orchestra. Albert holds a bachelor degree at the prestigious Berklee College of Music and a golden award diploma at Musicians Institute London. He has also studied in Cuba. He teaches currently at LCCM, Conservatori Superior del Liceu de Barcelona and Aula de Musica de Barcelona (associated school to Berklee). He is endorser of Duende Percusion.
Albert is a founder member of PERCUSSITY and will run a flamenco clinic with Monica Cano.

Monica Cano
Monica Cano is one of the most in demand flamenco dancers in Spain. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Spanish Dance from the Institut del Teatre (Barcelona). Her training and professional experience is vast and eclectic. Not withstanding her extensive world tour with the greatest names in flamenco history: Joaquin Cortes, Antonio Canales, Nuevo Ballet Español. Monica has also worked with contemporary dance greats (Ramon Oller), renowned theater and film directors (Calixto Bieito, Franco Zeffirelli). Furthermore she has performed in operas like Traviata, Rigoleto, Caballeria Rusticana. She has worked for inhouse ballets on TVE, ETB, Antena 3 and features on many TV jingles. Besides performing, Monica also teaches at the prestigious Institut del Teatre de Barcelona.
She is also one of the core dancers at PERCUSSITY.

El sábado 27 de enero, en Londres, voy a participar en una jornada de percusión junto algunos de los mejores percusionistas del mundo. Esta es la información traducida:

PERCUSSITY.COM se congratula, con la colaboración del London Centre of Contemporary Music, de presentar, el sábado 27 de Enero de 2007, una jorndada de masterclases con Giovanni Hildalgo, Luis Conte, Eguie Castrillo, Albert Vila y Monica Cano.

Esta extraordinaria jornada de percusión contará con grandes nombres de la percusión afro-cubana y flamenca. Los horarios serán de 12 a 6 de la tarde. La entrada es gratuita pero es recomendable hacer una reserva previa via e-mail contact@lccm.org.uk, o através de la web
www.lccm.org.uk
Giovanni Hidalgo
An artist some describe as "touched by the hand of God," conguero Giovanni Hidalgo plays a major role in shaping the way the world thinks of hand drumming. With legendary percussionists Tito Puente, Armando Peraza, Patato and the late José Mangual, Sr. topping the list of his most ardent fans, Giovanni and his natural talent are bringing new respect to Latin rhythms as well as to the rhythms of his birthplace, Puerto Rico.

Luis Conte
Grammy-winner Luis Conte is an acknowledged master of percussion. His celebrated career includes touring and/or recording work with some of the greatest names in contemporary music, including Madonna, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Santana (Supernatural album), Jackson Browne, Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett and countless others. His percussion clinic tours take him around the world teaching musicians the essentials and history of Afro-Cuban rhythm.

Eguie Castrillo
Originally from Puerto Rico, Eguie Castrillo is an accomplished percussionist who has toured extensively around the world. Performances with Tito Puente, Arturo Sandoval, Steve Winwood, Michael Brecker, Ruben Blades, Paquito D' Rivera, Michel Camilo, KC and the Sunshine Band, Dave Valentin, Giovanni Hidalgo, and Jennifer Lopez. Recordings include Hot House, with Arturo Sandoval, The Latin Train, with Arturo Sandoval, sound track The Perez Family, for MGM, Get Down Live!, with KC and the Sunshine Band, and A GRP Celebration of the Songs of the Beatles. Eguie is currently an associate Professor at the prestigious Berklee College of Music.

Albert Vila
Born in Barcelona, Albert is a percussionist, arranger and composer. He has performed, recorded and/or toured with artists such as Modern Romance (Shrek sountrack), Chi 2 (Moby, Anastacia), top spanish band Estopa, Lluis Coloma, El Sobrino del diablo, Danna Leese Routh and has worked for record labels like BMG, DIVUCSA and PICAP. His recording experience includes tv jingles and movie soundtracks. As an arranger and composer he has written for band formats ranging from jazz big-band to classical symphony orchestra. Albert holds a bachelor degree at the prestigious Berklee College of Music and a golden award diploma at Musicians Institute London. He has also studied in Cuba. He teaches currently at LCCM, Conservatori Superior del Liceu de Barcelona and Aula de Musica de Barcelona (associated school to Berklee). He is endorser of Duende Percusion.
Albert is a founder member of PERCUSSITY and will run a flamenco clinic with Monica Cano.

Monica Cano
Monica Cano is one of the most in demand flamenco dancers in Spain. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Spanish Dance from the Institut del Teatre (Barcelona). Her training and professional experience is vast and eclectic. Not withstanding her extensive world tour with the greatest names in flamenco history: Joaquin Cortes, Antonio Canales, Nuevo Ballet Español. Monica has also worked with contemporary dance greats (Ramon Oller), renowned theater and film directors (Calixto Bieito, Franco Zeffirelli). Furthermore she has performed in operas like Traviata, Rigoleto, Caballeria Rusticana. She has worked for inhouse ballets on TVE, ETB, Antena 3 and features on many TV jingles. Besides performing, Monica also teaches at the prestigious Institut del Teatre de Barcelona.
She is also one of the core dancers at PERCUSSITY.


Friday, November 17, 2006

Benvinguts, Welcome, Bienvenidos

Benvinguts a aquest blog. Les llengües que utilitzaré seran el català, l'anglès i l'espanyol. Algunes vegades ho traduiré, altres només estarà en una llengua. Qualsevol comentari que volgueu afegir serà benvingut.
Desitjo utilitzar aquesta blog com a plataforma per expressar les meves inquietuts en el camp personal, de la música i en especial de la percussió.

Welcome to this blog. I am going to use several languages: catalan, english and spanish indistinctly. Sometimes I will translate everything in every languages sometimes not. Please, feel free to write any comment you feel!
I wish to use this platform as a tool to write my opinions about music and specially percussion.

Bienvenidos a este blog. Las lenguas que usaré seran el catalan, el inglés y el español. A veces traduciré cada post, otras solo estará en una lengua. Cualquier comentario que deseeis añadir será más que bienvenido.
Pretendo que esta sea una plataforma para expresar mis inquietudes personales la música y en especial sobre percusión. span> pan>