Beautiful (always!), dry, warm, cool nights. Playing duo guitars with my friend from Barcelona, Miguel Angel Gomez, tonight at Angie Angie. Doing a bunch of Pop Flamenkito stuff featuring his fine lead guitar but also keepin’ it real (what I call real, anyway jajaja). Our Bones Are Thus. Nuestros Huesos Son Asi. Simply OBAT for…

Enroute to Guatemala. At last. Been a tough winter. My emotions are raw. Gotta chill out! Calm myself, diffuse the anger. Maybe deal with little angers early before they deepen and embitter. I can be so damn prickly. Too quick, too impatient. Slovenliness and heavy-handedness irritate me. Live and let live! Speak with good purpose…

A word of explanation. I’ve been writing my blog posts in a old fashioned notebook for a few months and neglecting to post them here. So, here’s to catching up! OK. OK. Now I have 19 strategies for improvisation: they’re good, useful, easy to implement, “genial.” Most likely, no one is interested. So, for now…

I’ve always been an avid reader. Mostly fiction. Arguably, more for style than content. No vampires, ETs, zombies; not so big on sci-fi. Read enough self-help for two life-times. Recently, I finished the Millenium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” “The Girl who Played with Fire,” “The Girl who Kicked the…

Trying to keep it real, keep it flamenco, maintain the soniquete—here in the deep freeze known as Minneapolis, Minnesota. After Madrid, I spent 5 weeks in Guatemala, doing lots of shows, and just generally loving living there. I came to Minnesota for family, friends, and Christmas/New Year’s. Its been very very cold, snowy, icy. Playing…

Madrid. Its a 3 concert homage to this (still VERY active!) guitarist from Granada. Tonight was the 2nd concert and I have to write about it…IT WAS INCREDIBLE!!!! Tomatito opened the show and, from his first note, the night turned magical. Then Jose Merce appeared and sang extremely well, accompanied by Tomatito and, sometimes, Josemi…

I have been more than a little dogmatic and insistent in my teaching for several years now. I’ve insisted on directing the guitar development for my students, exhibiting a dominant focus on technique and on playing in a pure, traditional flamenco style. Because those things have been my personal focus, I’ve directed those that have…

That’s what I’m calling my first-ever attempt at a workshop/intensive/all-out/no-holds-barred shared flamenco experience—and it was in my favorite locale: Madrid. From February 8th till the 18th it took place, and I believe it was very successful. With a minimum of 3 hours daily of classes, shows every evening, fine food and great wine (don’t forget…

Nine days since my return to Madrid. Its always like coming home. I had to leave Minnesota before the president-elect (NO capitals!) took office. I admit to feeling a little guilty being here while the US crashes and burns. My first time ever in Spain was under similar circumstances—it was 1968, I was way-too-young, seeking…

I’m back in Minneapolis, Mn once again. I couldn’t miss voting in this year’s (super important) election. Plus, I do love it here; family, friends, and a great tango band, among other delights. This week, we’re hosting a musical event we’re calling Musafir. This means “traveler” in several languages. It takes place on Saturday, November…