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BASILIO GEORGES
Specialties Flamenco guitar, familiar with many styles including Paco de Lucia, Tomatito, Vincente Amigo, Pepe Habichuela, Moraito and Gipsy Kings. Very good with flamenco notation and tablature. Have previous background in salsa and jazz improvisation.
Teaching Philosophy/Methodology Learning flamenco guitar is ultimately tied to the student's understanding of how to accompany dancing and singing. Good rhythm comes from being involved in accompaniment. Ultimately, the deepest knowledge of flamenco comes from attempting to understand the Spanish language and culture. |
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Education Have been playing flamenco style for 27 years. Studied at first in NYC and played for dance classes at Fazil's studio. Spent a great deal of time in Spain in 1982, 1984, and 1985-86. Studied formally with David Serva in Madrid and Miguel Garcia, of Jose Greco fame, in Sevilla. Worked as an accompanist in Madrid studios and played at many flamenco peñas. Studied piano from the age of 7-11, and started studying classical guitar and rock from the age of 14. Played professionally as a jazz and salsa musician in NYC from 1974-81.
Teaching Experience Have taught at the AIG since 1987. Have also made many transcriptions of both flamenco guitar and cante.
Performances/Recordings Basilio's first touring work was with Jose Molina Bailes Españoles from 1983-85, which included dates at Town Hall and Carnegie Hall. He has worked with many flamenco dance companies over the past 20 years. With his wife Aurora Reyes, he shares direction of Flamenco Latino. In addition to Flamenco Latino, he has composed and arranged pieces for the Carlota Santana Spanish Dance Company (1987-92), Andrea Del Conte Danza España (1989-2000), Sol y Sombra of Long Island, Jorge Navarro's Pasión Flamenca and Ziva Cohen of Washington DC. In 2003 he wrote the music for "Las Cuatro Niñitas," a play by Pablo Picasso presented at Thalia Theater.
He has accompanied such Spanish artists as Sebastian Roman, Jesus el Almendro, Rafael Fajardo, Concha Vargas, Antonio Hidalgo and Elena Andujar in the U.S.; La Tati, Faico, Ciro and Manolete in Madrid dance studios; and many canta'ores such as Juanele de Jerez, Marcelino Sanchez, and Antonio Benamargo in various flamenco peñas in Madrid.
In New York he has studied cante and organized workshops for Antonio Vizarraga of Noche Flamenca for 5 years, and ran a weekly cante class for Luis Vargas in 1996. He also presented several cante concerts at the AIG during 1995-97. His work is represented most recently on the CD "The Florida Tour" by Flamenco Latino. Previous recordings include "Apertivos Pa' El Oido" with Flamenco Latino, "Guerra, Amor y Campanas," the music for a 1988 Carlota Santana Spanish Dance project, "La Reina del Nilo" with singer/dancer La Conja and "Cante Flamenco" with singer Luis Vargas.
His guitar work was featured in the soundtrack of Almodovar's "High Heels" and he participated in the 1992 Broadway revival of "Man of La Mancha."
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