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| Juanito Pascual Album Release "Language of the Heart" On Friday June 19th 2009 Boston's critically acclaimed flamenco guitarist Juanito Pascual celebrates the release of his newest album, "Language of the Heart" with a spectacular concert at Boston's renowned Jordan Hall at the New England Conservatory of Music, 30 Gainsborough St. in Boston. The event, presented by Culture Fest International in association with The Intercultural Institute at New England Conservatory is also a fundraiser and awareness builder for Culture Fest International, an ethical global events initiative supporting the work of the non-profit edutainment organization, Second World. Appearing in concert with Juanito Pascual will be Special Guest Nino de los Reyes, one of Spain's top flamenco dancers. "Nino de los Reyes, still a teenager, projects the arrogant, rebellious upstart persona. He started his alegrķas, A mi forma, with salvos of steps and pauses to make sure he had our attention. I've noticed the influence of contemporary tap and hip hop on flamenco's younger generation, and Nino is a master of the sudden pivot turn, the grounded assertiveness, the sense of rebounding as a source of more speed and maneuverability, the action-ready arms and upper body. He built up to a rapid-fire six-count rhythm with a whole variety of accents and ended almost galloping into the ground, " noted writer Marcia B. Siegal in The Boston Phoenix in 2003. "Language of the Heart" is the anticipated follow-up to Pascual's 2003 debut "Cosas en Comun." This new album is a virtual "Who's Who" of the biggest names in the flamenco, jazz and world music including singer Elena Andujar (The Devil's Advocate and Flamenco Women), bassist John Patitucci (Chick Corea, B.B. King, Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock), percussionist Jamey Haddad ( Paul Simon, Paul Winter) Gonzalo Grau (Grammy-nominated leader of La Clave Secreta), Sean Kupisc (Al di Miola) Spain's rising star flamenco dancer Nino de los Reyes, pianist Alex Conde Carrasco, violinist Rohan Greogry, flutist, actor and professor Stan Strickland, and percussionist Jerry Leake. The Minneapolis native moved to Spain as a teenager and immersed himself in flamenco culture by playing in the subways of Madrid and cutting his teeth on the streets studying with legendary flamenco artists. He moved back to the United States, attended New England Conservatory and subsequently had a string of successes including performing internationally with some of today's top flamenco, jazz and world music artists, collaborating with Boston based composer Osvaldo Golijov on his Grammy -winning opera "Ainadamar, " performing in prominent Spanish venues and even landing a small part in the recent movie "Pink Panther 2" with Steve Martin! In addition to composing and performing his own music, Pascual is passionate about education and social issues such as those held high by Culture Fest International and non-profit 'edutainment' organization Second World. Juanito says, "This for me is all about sharing the sound and experience of making this music which fills me with so much joy each and every day. There is so much to celebrate about life and to be thankful for. I find that playing this music is an incredibly direct reminder of that." Inspired by more than a decade of field work, the CFI series fosters sustainable international development while facilitating cultural exchange through music and the arts. This concert also kicks off for the fourth annual "Unlocking the Art of Flamenco" one-week intensive summer workshop at Boston's NEC where Pascual graduated with honors in 1997. Juanito is the director of the course which is co- taught by a flamenco dancer and a percussionist. This interactive hands-on experience allows students of all levels to learn rhythms, singing and dancing, as well as instrumental instruction. Flamenco has long transcended barriers. This gala will unveil both the new album "Language of the Heart, " and a new concept for ethical global events to support empowerment of communities worldwide through economic justice and cultural preservation. On June 19th experience a preview of this vision at one of the world's most acoustically perfect spaces; Jordan Hall at the New England Conservatory with doors opening at 7p.m. to enjoy fair trade arts and show time at 8p.m. Enjoy an evening gala of world-class flamenco music, dance and song on behalf of a better world. Culture Fest International ethical global events initiative was inspired by interactive events more than a decade of work by edutainment nonprofit organization, Second World which advocates for fair trade, indigenous rights, and cultural preservation through the power of media, music and art. The New England Conservatory's Intercultural Institute integrates performance with cultural study to explore a new definition of music in the context of cultural life of the 21st century. Juanito Pascual will be teaching the fourth annual "Unlocking the Art of Flamenco" summer workshop. Jordan Hall at The New England Conservatory is considered one of the world's most acoustically perfect concert halls and was a gift of Conservatory trustee Eben D. Jordan, 2nd, and was designed by architect Edmund Wheelwright, following the model of the European court concert halls of the Renaissance. In the 1960s, lecturers in Jordan Hall included Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Ayn Rand, and Margaret Mead. Taberna de Haro restaurant is four time winner of Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and features authentic wines & tapas from Spain. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Jazz News :: home page |